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New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) officials recently decided to postpone public meetings on the development of a new state rail plan until early next year.

In February, the department began the process to draft a new rail plan, which would include an analysis of freight- and passenger-rail systems’ strengths and weaknesses in the state, a review of factors that affect the rail systems and recommendations for potential improvements. The document would build upon the existing state rail plan that was drafted in 2001.

Freight and passenger railroads that operate in New Hampshire include Pan Am Railways, the New England Central Railroad, St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad, Claremont Concord Railroad, New England Southern Railroad, New Hampshire Northcoast, Amtrak Downeaster, Conway Scenic Railroad and Hobo Railroad.

NHDOT had planned to hold a series of public meetings on the rail plan this fall.

“Due to a combination of circumstances, NHDOT decided it was best to delay completion of the plan until sometime in the first part of next year,” said NHDOT spokesperson Carol Morris in an email.