Description
I have been using the Derby and Shelton river walks recently and notice people use TWO routes to get from the Derby river walk to the Shelton one. They either use Bridge Street which is not scenic or they use what seems to be an abandoned rail line that has a bridge crossing the Housatonic. The Derby river walk gives each access to both as a path leads to the railroad and the walk ends at Bridge Street.
Now, it makes perfect sense to me to keep people off Bridge Street and instead of building a very expensive pedestrian bridge from Derby to Shelton use the existing railroad bridge that us just sitting there. However, I'd rather not be arrested for trespassing. I can't find any online resource that says you can use the railroad bridge or not. It sure sounds like a great way to connect the two without spending a fortune.
Can anyone answer? Can this be suggested to the towns if it's not been already?
11 Comments
Planner (Registered User)
You cannot use the rail bridge! First, it is a private railroad and, secondly, the towns were denied access to the abandoned side of the trestle. People have been seriously injured on that crossing (and the Derby Greenway does not connect to it). And you'll have to explain why it makes sense to keep people off of a public sidewalk on Bridge Street in the meantime.
Planner (Registered User)
http://nvcogct.org/content/derby-shelton-bridge-enhancements
Michael Raymond (Registered User)
Michael Raymond (Registered User)
Planner (Registered User)
It IS part of the Shelton Riverwalk and available for general public use. I do not know the exact legal arrangement that allows non-Avalon residents to get to the Riverwalk over Avalon property (Right of Way?, Public passway?, easement?) however, Shelton's long-range plan is to connect all existing sections and extend the Shelton Riverwalk up to the locks on the west side of the Derby Dam.
The Shelton Economic Development Corp http://sheltonedcorp.org is the implementing agency for the Shelton Riverwalk. You should check with them for specifics about phases and funding, but Shelton has reallocated a federal grant it previously received (originally to connect to the southerly section to the area north of Bridge Street), now State Project # 0126-0163. When ultimately completed, all sections, regardless of who paid to build (state/fed, city or private developer) will be contiguous and open to all members of the public. It is anticipated that the existing grants will be used in combination with other development to connect and extend the two sections of the Riverwalk.
The NVCOG plan to connect the Naugatuck River Greenway in Derby with the Shelton Riverwalk is already funded by the state and will seek to create access from the NRG across the Derby/Shelton Bridge section of Bridge Street, down to Canal Street, the Shelton Riverwalk and eventually somehow cross the rail and connect to Howe Ave. Unfortunately, the Viaduct Bridge section of Bridge Street will not support dedicated bike/ped, so other future means over the rail line must be explored.
Michael Raymond (Registered User)
Planner (Registered User)
Michael Raymond (Registered User)
Planner (Registered User)
SEDC does not employ staff. They are the city's arm for development.
I referred you to them because they should be able to answer your questions about access, ownership and Maintenence.
Derby specifically assigned their greenway to DPW from the time it opened and the city purchased equipment to mow, plow and perform emergency rescue. Unfortunately composite split rail was not available when it was built (split rail because wildlife must be able to get through). They would like to do total replacement of the fencing but the cost is astronomical - close to $1 million for composite!
Michael Raymond (Registered User)
Thank you again planner. It's a shame the risen to the central website people could visit and post questions about the Riverwalk regardless of what city. Ansonia seems to have forgot to finish theirs, Shelton is a patchwork of partly finished projects. Only Derby seems to have it under control and is the most popular with residents.
I do see your point about composite fence for Derby's walk. I'm on it several times a week and I can see that they actively keep going out to replacing pieces of fence that have deteriorated with new pieces of lumber. However, they seem to be stuck in a vicious circle. Composite is too expensive and what they're using has a very short life before it needs replacement again. I wish they could find something in between that would last longer and they could use to replace pieces as needed instead of the same old product that has been proven to fail after a season or so.
Planner (Registered User)