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Connecticut's Department of Transportation has released an environmental impact report for the proposed high speed rail line between New Haven and Springfield Massachusetts.
Currently, there are six to eight daily round trip passenger trains between New Haven and Springfield,. When the project is completed, 25 daily trains will run in each direction of the 62 mile route, and 4 more train stations will be added. The DOT's Environmental Assessment of the project is one of the crucial steps in the process.
The assessment found that there were issues that need to be resolved, such as the relocation of some public utility infrastructure, the demolition of the some old buildings, possible hazardous waste clean up, and possible traffic congestion at outdated crossings. The study also found some historic bridges could be impacted, and that noise could be an issue.
DOT project manager John Bernick says "quiet zones" will be established to mitigate the noise of train horns.
With the release of the environmental assessment report, the DOT will hold public hearings on the report next month in North Haven, New Britain and Enfield.