Greenway trail expansion continues

Next section: Torrington to Thomaston

TORRINGTON » A portion of the Naugatuck River Greenway between Torrington and Thomaston is set to be planned in the coming year, as efforts to construct the trail continue.

Representatives of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments recently briefed local elected officials on this latest step.

The aim of the planning effort, according to Senior Regional Planner Aaron Budris and Planning Director Mark Nielsen, is to find a consensus path for the trail to connect the two municipalities.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, they said, planners will speak with elected officials and members of the public to get their in-

put as the process proceeds, as each community has ultimate control of the portion of the trail that passes through their town.

The most difficult spot to plan will likely be in Harwinton and Litchfield, they said. The potential path is bound by Route 8, the river, and the railway line that runs through the area.

The future of the Naugatuck River Greenway has been a long-running point of consideration for elected officials. The plan has been a priority for more than a decade, according to council Executive Director Rick Lynn.

The aim of having the route planned, NVCOG officials wrote in a February request for qualifications, is to enable local cities and towns to more easily get funding to bring the trail to reality.

“It has become clear that in order to compete for state, federal and private grants for trail construction, municipalities need to have a clearly defined plan for trail development. This includes a firm route that has been publically vetted, buy in from stakeholders, and a good understanding of trail construction costs,” wrote officials in the RFQ. “This project is aimed at providing the information necessary for municipalities along the Torrington through Thomaston NRG route corridor to compete for future construction funding, and to help close gaps in the NRG.”

Eventually, the trail is expected to span an area of 44 miles between Torrington and Derby — the portion between Torrington and Thomaston is expected to run for approximately 10.9 miles, according to the RFQ.

Portions of the trail that have been built include a stretch running between the John Toro Sports Complex and Supreme Industries in Torrington.

The Torrington City Council awarded a contract for the survey and development of design plans for the piece of the greenway between Franklin Street and Bogue Road in March, and Anchor Engineering Services, Inc., of Glastonbury, was allocated $58,800 for the work.

The project could eventually spur millions of dollars worth of economic activity and health benefits in the region, according to a study released by the Naugatuck Valley council in March.

Three scenarios — baseline, moderate, and accelerated growth — were included in the study.

The numbers included below, are drawn from the baseline scenario, based on the current level of visitation to the portions of the greenway that have been completed.

“Currently, total annual visits to open sections, only about 4.1 miles in four communities, is estimated at about 195,500,” representatives of the NVCOG said in a previous statement. “These visitors spend about $2.9 million each year on various items such as snacks, beverages, food, gear and travel. By 2031, annual visitations are projected at 2.6 million and annual spending would reach about $42.6 million under the baseline scenario.”

The 2031 estimation, Nielsen said, was based on a review of time lines for existing trail projects.

The estimated number of bicyclists using the trail, Nielsen said, is likely low at this point, as more will be interested in using it as it lengthens, making for better rides.

“As the trail gets more built, it’s more likely to attract more bicyclists,” said Nielsen. “Right now, we have a fairly-low number of (bicyclist) users.”

A significant majority of users — 88 percent — use the trail for exercise, Nielsen said. People spend about $14 per visit, which is in line with other studies, according to Nielsen.