Hartford Rail Alternatives Analysis

Hartford Rail Alternatives Analysis & TOD Plan
Hartford, CT

This transit-oriented development master plan and rail reconstruction alternatives analysis evaluated options to rebuild New England’s critical rail infrastructure to better serve transit patrons, accommodate future rail service improvements, and to create economic development opportunities in Downtown Hartford.

Built in the late nineteenth century, Amtrak’s aging rail viaduct in Downtown Hartford is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. Working with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, this downtown development master plan and rail reconstruction alternatives analysis evaluated options to rebuild this critical rail infrastructure to better serve transit patrons, accommodate future rail service improvements, and to create economic development opportunities in Downtown Hartford.

Role
Local Form Studio’s Christopher Riale directed the urban design effort and provided civil engineers guidance on the reconstruction of the Amtrak rail viaduct and other adjacent surface transportation infrastructure, including the relocation of I-84 and the local street and block system of Asylum Hill and Downtown. He also led station siting and transit-oriented development planning, and developed innovative strategies for maintaining, reconstructing, and relocating the rail corridor and station head house in Downtown Hartford, including the notion of expanding the downtown footprint into Asylum Hill. The options identified as part of the Alternatives Analysis are guiding ongoing work as part of the I-84 Hartford reconstruction project.

* Work completed by Christopher Riale while employed with WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Client