To our friends, near and far…..this was an article Lacy and I drafted on a topic…and a person….very dear to our hearts. It is now in this week’s edition of the MYSTIC TIMES. Hope you enjoy it. Ed J
Notes from the Old Noank Jail by Lacy and Ed Johnson
Zell Steever’s Mission to Save Us by expanding mass transit
It was just over six months ago that our dear neighbor, Zell Steever, passed away unexpectedly. An ecologist and biologist by trade in DC, his retirement project was an extension of his lifelong mission to save both our planet and our slice of the shore from the savagery of climate change: expand mass transit in Southeastern Connecticut to reduce traffic and air pollution.
In an almost ironic twist, since his passing, unbearable traffic and parking situations have erupted like volcanoes throughout Southern New London County. Navigating local roads and I-95 entrance ramp closures during fall’s tree-trimming has taken time and patience few of us had to spare with the lack of viable parking in downtown Mystic.
If you listen closely, you might even hear Zell reminding you, “This is why we need light commuter rail.”
Less than a month after Steever passed, Connecticut boosted funding for Shoreline East Rail Line (SLE) by five million dollars which was designated to bring back four of the train runs that had been cut since the pandemic. Granted, these four trains do not bring the total back to pre-pandemic numbers- nonetheless, some improvement is better than none. And Zell would be the first to say so.
And now, mildly ahead of schedule, these four trains between Stamford, New Haven and New London have returned to service (starting October 7th). These runs include other local stops but are briefly summarized here as follows (times are approximate):
Train #1600 East New Haven 4:25 AM New London 5:29AM
Train #1633 West New London 5:46AM New Haven 6:51AM Stamford 7:53 AM
Train # 1638 East Stamford 4:13PM New Haven 5:14PM New London 6:25PM
Train #1640 East New Haven 7:45PM New London 8:50PM
These trains combine with existing runs. For example, #1638 East will be turning around to head West as #1695. Bus schedule connections, especially in Stamford, are also being adjusted for the additional trains.
There are some added electrical improvements scheduled primarily in New London to be finished by December, which may allow the addition of yet another run.
However, Steever’s vision of commuter model M-8 rail cars connecting New London with new or modified facilities in Groton, Mystic, Stonington and Westerly, using preexisting tracks, still remains in limbo. What is lacking? Federal funding. How can local residents take up the cause to support Steever’s legacy and the needs of our frequently overlooked part of the state? Here are some polite suggestions:
Make sure the candidates you’re voting for are strong advocates for the funding and Shoreline East this election- both state and federal.
Join the Shoreline East Rider’s Advocacy Group by emailing Susan Feaster at SLEADVOCACY@GMAIL.COM. Please include information about how the SLE expansion would benefit you and your community. Also:
- Write letters to your elected officials in support of the cause and explaining your interest in reduced traffic while our job market continues to explode.
- Use SLE when you can. Tell your friends and family members to do the same.
In the end, Zell Steever would be pleased to see the routes restored and the funding in place. However, as was the case in every other cause in his life, he was never satisfied by a little improvement. He was committed to seeing the projects to fruition. Many would have buckled long before there was a Groton Resiliency Task Force- he led it until his death.
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