Manchester Officials Hoping DEEP Program Assists Trail Connector Plan

MANCHESTER, CT — Officials in Manchester hope a plan to connect two major recreation trails in town can be subsidized by state aid.

The town of Manchester is proposing to submit a grant application through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Recreational Trails Grant Program for the construction of a stone dust surfaced, shared use trail along the abandoned railroad corridor between Main Street and Colonial Road.

The 1.05-mile trail would connect the existing Cheney Rail Trail with the Hop River State Park Trail and provide pedestrians and bicyclists a "safe, off-road, route" for recreation and transportation," officials said.

Right now, trail users have to navigate some busy streets to get from one trail to the other.

The estimated cost of the project is $400,000, and the grant would pay for 80 percent of that price tag, officials said.

If selected for the grant, construction would be scheduled for 2024, officials said.

Residents and/or taxpayers of Manchester wishing to provide public comment or ask questions about this proposal may do so by contacting the Manchester Engineering Division, officials said.