New London — Expanding Shore Line East rail service to Westerly, adding a second train station in New London, and providing better accommodations for bicycles on trains were among the suggestions residents and officials offered Tuesday on the state’s updated rail plan. More than 65 people attended the state Department of Transportation’s open house at the Public Library of New London on the long-range plan. The updated plan, anticipated to be finished in the winter of 2027, “provides an overview of the existing rail systems, a vision and goals for future improvements, and near and long-term investment priorities for passenger and freight rail,” according to the project website. Westerly Rail Advocates group members voiced support for extending Shore Line East, a commuter rail line that runs from New Haven to New London. Doug Brockway, the chairman of Westerly’s Economic Development Commission and a Westerly Rail Advocates member, said he supports raising the platforms at the Westerly station and doubling the five Amtrak trains that stop daily in Westerly and extending commuter rail there and farther in Rhode Island. He said the commuter rail extension would help the many Westerly residents who commute to Electric Boat in Groton, New London or Quonset Point to save money and have a less stressful commute, while Electric Boat also would not have to build parking lots.

https://theday.com/news/926849/residents-officials-advocate-for-rail-line-extension/