The Lower Connecticut River Valley (aka RiverCOG) studied the feasibility of developing a critical segment of multi-use trail loop through Middletown and Portland. Potentially linking the current end of the Airline Trail (ALT) in Cobalt with the Farmington Canal (FCT) Heritage Trail in Cheshire, a future trail would incorporate the Arrigoni Bridge, the Mattabesset Trolley Trail system in Middletown, and the Quinnipiac Trail in Meriden. 

The focus of the Study was to look for opportunities to close a portion of the Central CT Loop between the ALT and the FCT (see highlighted segment in the map below), with emphasis on the route throughout Middletown and Portland. In total, the 111-mile-long Loop trail is intended to run primarily off road and utilize the Airline Trail, the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, the Charter Oak Greenway, and the Hop River Trail. It would link Middletown with Meriden, Southington, Plainville, Simsbury, Hartford, Manchester, Willimantic, East Hampton, and many other communities.
Visit The Jonah Center’s website for more information.

Plan Documents

Executive Summary  (34 MB)
Central Connecticut Loop Trail Study – Final Report (April 2025) (18 MB)

Appendices

Central Connecticut Loop Trail Study – Appendices A thru E

Public Meeting / Event Documents

Jun. 12 | Public Workshop #1 Presentation – June 10, 2024 (PDF, 2.8MB)
Jun. 12 | Public Workshop #1 Recording – June 10, 2024 (Video)
Dec. 2 | Public Workshop #2 Presentation – November 20, 2024 (PDF, 5.6MB)
Dec. 9 | Middletown Pop-up Summary Memo (PDF, 1.4MB)
Dec. 9 | Middletown Pop-up Handout (PDF, 6.5MB)
RiverCOG Board Meeting (PDF, 6.8MB)
Middletown Planning & Zoning Meeting (PDF, 5.4MB)
Portland Planning & Zoning Meeting (PDF, 6.5MB)