The Meriden Linear Trail is a
rail trail that follows the original route of the Meriden, Waterbury & Connecticut River Railroad through the city of
Meriden, Connecticut. It follows of the former roadbed through the
Quinnipiac River Gorge, starting at
Red Bridge () and ending near the Meriden/
Cheshire town line (). This portion of the Linear Trail system is named The Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail.
History
Construction of the Meriden & Waterbury Railroad (M&W) commenced in 1887 and finished the following year, when the M&W Railroad merged with the Meriden and Cromwell Railroad to form the Meriden, Waterbury & Connecticut River Railroad. The line never saw high traffic, and by 1924 the section from West Main Street in Meriden to East Farms in Waterbury was abandoned.
The line through Meriden remained active until 1966 as an
industrial spur
A branch line is a phrase used in railway terminology to denote a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line.
Industrial spur
An industr ...
to Ragazzino's on West Main Street and the Suzio York Hill Quarry in East Meriden. Since little new development has occurred along the line, much remains intact with the railroad tracks still in place.
Construction began in 2006 and was opened November 2007. Future expansion has been discussed.
References
Meriden Linear Trail official website*Andrew Perlot
"Residents seek answers on master plan" Meriden ''
Record-Journal
The ''Record-Journal'' is an American daily newspaper based in Meriden, Connecticut, that dates back to the years immediately following the American Civil War. It is owned by the Record-Journal Publishing Company, a family-owned business entit ...
'', June 25, 2008.
{{Protected Areas of Connecticut
Rail trails in Connecticut
Protected areas of New Haven County, Connecticut
Meriden, Connecticut