DEEP and CTDOT Celebrate Tunnel Lighting Project Completion on Hop River State Park Trail

Press Releases

12/04/2025

DEEP and CTDOT Celebrate Tunnel Lighting Project Completion on Hop River State Park Trail

(HARTFORD) - The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) are pleased to announce the completed installation of lighting in a 400-foot tunnel along the Hop River State Park Trail within Bolton Notch State Park. The project improves visibility for the many walkers, runners, and cyclists who use the trail each day.

The new lighting system is designed to operate in coordination with daylight and park hours, enhancing visibility for visitors while preserving the park's natural character. The project is part of Governor Lamont's and the State's commitment to our State Parks and the Restore CT State Parks initiative, which strives to improve infrastructure in the State Parks so that they may be enjoyed for generations to come.

"The Hop River State Park Trail is one of Connecticut's most scenic and historic recreational corridors," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "This project is a great example of Governor Lamont's commitment to investing in outdoor recreation through the Restore Connecticut State Parks initiative. Improvements like this are occurring in state parks to ensure parks remain welcoming and accessible for all residents and visitors."

"Lighting the tunnel makes this popular route easier to navigate and more inviting for everyone who walks, runs, or rides here," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. "CTDOT is proud to partner with DEEP to improve the Hop River Trail and make it more accessible for everyone."

The Hop River State Park Trail follows a former railroad corridor for more than 20 miles through the towns of Manchester, Vernon, Bolton, Coventry, Andover, and Columbia. The trail connects several of Connecticut's treasured natural areas, including the Belding Wildlife Management Area in Vernon, the Town of Vernon's Valley Falls Park, and Bolton Notch State Park.

As it travels east toward Andover and Columbia, the trail winds through remote woodlands, open fields, and alongside the Hop River itself. The route showcases distinctive stonework, embankments, and historic rail infrastructure that together create a quiet, scenic, and historically rich experience for trail users.

According to the Connecticut Trail Census, which maintains a user counter adjacent to the tunnel, the site recorded more than 86,700 uses in 2024 - an average of 237 uses per day, with over 10,000 morning uses between August and October alone.

The Hop River State Park Trail is also part of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile bicycle and pedestrian route that links 15 states and 450 communities from Maine to Florida.

For more information about Connecticut's State Parks and trails, visit our CTParks website.

DEEP and CTDOT officials, local and state legislators, and advocates celebrated the completion of the tunnel lighting project on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.

Photo credit: CT DEEP

Contact

DEEP Communications
[email protected]
860-424-3110

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