HARTFORD – As soon as this spring, bicyclists would be allowed to cross the Housatonic Railroad tracks in New Milford’s Sega Meadows Park, under legislation that was unanimously approved Wednesday morning in the House of Representatives.
The bill moves next to the Senate.
If approved there and signed into law by the governor, bicyclists would be immediately allowed to make the crossing at grade.
Rep. Clark J. Chapin, R-New Milford, ranking member of the Environment Committee, successfully offered an amendment that would give the New Milford Town Council flexibility to withdraw its plan for the crossing.
Under questioning by Rep. John Hetherington, R-New Canaan, Chapin said that under state law, a special act is required by the Legislature to approve the easement.
Rep. David A. Scribner, R-Brookfield, said that the new crossing is being eagerly awaited by bicycle riders and that the issue has been carefully vetted by local officials and the railroad.
The town has agreed to install railroad-crossing signs on the bike path, at a cost of about $100. The whole project comes under existing law governing liabilities and recreational uses.