The document proposes establishing a commuter rail line along an existing railroad in New Hampshire and Vermont, with stops in Claremont Junction, Windsor, and White River Junction. The goals are to create alternative transportation, improve integration of transportation and housing, spur affordable housing development near stations, develop and improve infrastructure, and reduce single-occupancy vehicle use. Federal grants could fund 80% of initial costs. Private business support and development rights could provide additional funding. A bi-state committee would coordinate stakeholders to assess current infrastructure, conduct market analyses, and gain public input to plan for implementation of the commuter rail system.

1. Connecticut RiverValleyConnecticut RiverValley
Commuter Rail ProjectCommuter Rail Project
Eric Nielsen

2. Plan OverviewPlan Overview
 Establish a commuter
rail line along the New
England Central Railroad
(NECR)
 Stops in Claremont
Junction, Windsor, VT,
and White River
Junction (Hartford, VT)
 Connections to
downtown Claremont,
Lebanon and Hanover

3. GoalsGoals
 Create an alternative transportation option for the
Connecticut River Valley
 Improve Integration of transportation and land use
 Spur development of affordable housing at the station
sites
 Develop on and improve existing infrastructure
 Create a bi-state plan approach
 Have free flow of information among communities and
stakeholders
 Reduce the number of single-occupant automobile

4. NH Rail System
•459 miles of active railroad
•State owns 500 miles of railroad

5. Region Tourism SystemRegion Tourism System
Natural resources- Lake
Sunapee, Mt. Sunapee,
Dartmouth Skiiway,
Connecticut River Scenic
Byway
Historic Attractions- Saint-
Gaudens National Historic
Site, Cornish Colony, Fort at
No. 4, Living History Museum
Dartmouth College,
Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Medical Center, Common
Man Inn

6. A Look at the Connecticut RiverA Look at the Connecticut River
ValleyValley
Job Centers- Lebanon, Hanover and Claremont
2002 boom in economic growth in the Upper
Valley
◦ More jobs, minimal housing
◦ Vacation units converted into year-round occupancy
3 bedroom home
◦ $2300/month + utilities
4 bedroom home
◦ $3000/month + utilities
Average weekly wage $649
Increasing population unable to drive due to
poverty, age or disability

7. What Americans WantWhat Americans Want
 October 2004, Smart Growth America and the
National Association of Realtors
◦ Survey on American’s preferences for the type of communities
they want to live in and the policies they support for creating
those communities.
 Concluded 3 Main Points
•Americans favor Smart Growth Communities: shorter
commute times and walkable communities
•Commute time to work holds a dominate place in Americans’
decisions about where to live
•Americans want government and business to invest in existing
communities before developing new communities

8. Case Study: San Mateo Transit OrientedCase Study: San Mateo Transit Oriented
Development (TOD)Development (TOD)
Incentive program to
construct housing near
railroad stations
Transportation funds to
stimulate needed
housing construction
More transportation
options for residents to
travel by rail

9. WHY AWHY A
COMMUTER RAIL?COMMUTER RAIL?
•High-quality, rapid transit within metro regions
•More reasonable cost when compared to heavy and light rail lines
•Diesel-electric or electric propelled
•Operates over existing railway trackage on the same rights-of-way
•Generally self-funding from passenger fairs

10. Pros and ConsPros and Cons
Pros Cons
 Economic stimulation/Employment
Options
 Increased residential property values
 Better access to all parts of the state
 Increased tourism
 Stress free travel
 Reduced vehicle pollutants
 Reduced traffic congestion
 Offer rail passes with incentives for
travelers
 Train travel is fun and a way to meet
local residents
 Less expensive than renting a car
 Lay the ground work for a statewide
public transportation system
 High initial cost
 Scheduled departing times
 Making connections
 Less convenient than the automobile

11. Financial PlanFinancial Plan
Federal Government
◦ 80% of initial costs through available grants
◦ American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009
Private Business
◦ Initiatives to encourage businesses to help
raise funds
◦ Development rights at rail stations
San Mateo TOD
◦ Transportation Funds

12. Implementation MethodsImplementation Methods
 Form a Bi-state Committee
◦ Connect Stakeholders: NH Railroad Revitalization Association (NHRRA), NECR,
Amtrak, Local Businesses, Federal Railroad Association (FRA), Community Residents
 Current Infrastructure Assessment
 Market Analysis
◦ Current trends
◦ Target markets
◦ Traffic flows
◦ Competition
◦ S.W.O.T. analysis
◦ Focus Groups
◦ Visitor surveys
 Public Involvement
◦ Public meetings
◦ Community Survey
◦ Project Website

13. Planning for the FuturePlanning for the Future
From this…

14. Planning for the FuturePlanning for the Future
To This!