CTLCV's Kirsten Griebel was quoted by the Hartford Courant's Don Stacom, who reported on the September 7 Department of Energy and Environmental Protection hearing on the Hartford - New Britain Busway:  " ' The busway will promote environmental justice by reducing air pollution for citizens in Hartford County, especially those in the inner-city neighborhoods, and by increasing transit options,'  said Kirsten Griebel of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters."

Read the full story here:  http://www.courant.com/community/new-britain/hc-busway-environment-0908-20110907,0,3306592.story.

DEEP Hearing on Busway Set for September 7 at CCSU; Supporters Sign Letter to DEEP Commissioner Esty

On September 7 at 6:30 PM in Welte Auditorium on the CCSU campus, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will hold a public hearing on Connecticut's first major public transit project in decades:  the New Britain-Hartford Busway.  

This bus rapid transit system will be a critical piece of a 21st century transportation system that will connect rail service, cities, neighborhoods, universities, medical centers, and bike and pedestrian pathways throughout Greater Hartford. 

It will quickly create 4000 new jobs and stimulate economic development around the transit stations.  And importantly for the environmental community, the Busway will reduce the number of cars and reduce congestion on our highways leading to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.  The Busway will also encourage more efficient land use while decreasing sprawl.

CTLCV and the many other environmental groups that support the Busway project will remain vigilant to make sure it is the greenest, most sustainable public transit project possible. 

In the letter below to DEEP Commissioner Esty, we have identified some of the key environmental issues that need to be considered and monitored as the Busway project moves forward.  The letter is signed by a diverse coalition of environmental groups, elected officials, business leaders and transportation planners, demonstrating that the environment and the economy are not mutually exclusive.
  
We urge all of you to attend the September 7 public hearing or to submit written comments regarding the Busway to the DEEP Hearing Officer, Ms. Janice Deshais at janice.deshais@ct.gov.

DEEP September 7, 2011 Public Hearing Information

• When: Wednesday, September 7at 6:30 p.m with DEEP and DOT representatives available at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the project informally or answer questions from the public
  
• Where:  Welte Auditorium, CCSU Campus, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain with parking in Welte Garage  Directions 

For more information:  Click here for a brief summary of Busway project.  General information about the Busway project is available at www.ctrapidtransit.com.  The application and related materials are available online at www.ct.gov/dep/busway.    

Feedback, Questions, and News Tips:  We welcome your feedback, questions, and news tips.  Please email them to kirsten.griebel@ctlcv.org.



Environmental, Business Groups and Elected Officials Sign Letter of Support for New Britain-Hartford Busway
DOWNLOAD THE LETTER (PDF)

September 5, 2011
Commissioner Daniel C. Esty
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Dear Commissioner Esty,

We are writing in support of the proposed New Britain-Hartford Busway and specifically in regard to the inland wetland permit submitted to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by the Department of Transportation.

Based on a review of the materials included in DOT's inland wetland permit application, it appears that the project strikes the appropriate balance between protecting the wetlands and allowing construction of the New Britain-Hartford Busway. 

Moreover, with the completion of the Busway, much of the 2 acres of impacted wetlands will be replaced by an extensive mitigation plan that will create a contiguous 8.8-acre system of new or enhanced wetlands. 

Furthermore, this Bus Rapid Transit system will result in other significant environmental benefits for our state.  The New Britain-Hartford Busway will:

• Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and reduce congestion on the highways, both of which will reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, leading to cleaner air.
  
• Promote environmental justice by a.) reducing air pollution for citizens in Hartford County, an area with one of the highest asthma rates in the country, especially for those living in inner city neighborhoods; and b.) expanding travel options for those citizens without cars to access jobs, education (i.e.: CCSU), and medical care.
• Provide a 21st Century public transit system critical to transit oriented development (TOD), which has proven to decrease sprawl and encourage more efficient land use.
• Stimulate brownfield cleanup around Busway stations, i.e.: Newington's abandoned National Welding building, abutting both Cedar Street Station and Hayes development site.
• Include a new five-mile long multiuse trail for cyclists/pedestrians.

As the New Britain-Hartford Busway moves forward the environmental community will continue to advocate for:

• The implementation of and strict adherence to the proposed mitigation plan.
• The use of low impact development (LID) best practices at every opportunity along the Busway route and in construction of the stations, i.e.: pervious pavers at stations, swales, buffers, rain gardens, stormwater management.
• The preference for bridges, not culverts, over primary and intermittent stream crossings to protect fish habitat and streamflow where appropriate.
• Commitment by DOT to purchase clean fuel buses.
• The outreach, planning and investment necessary for responsible transit oriented development, including walkable village centers, mixed use development and multi-income housing surrounding the stations to ensure that the transit system is used and that environmental and economic benefits of the investments are realized.
• The implementation of a complete streets strategy along the entire Busway corridor and surrounding neighborhoods with a firm commitment to dedicate 1% of the project to fund it, as required by Connecticut's complete streets law.
• The development of the new multiuse trail to the maximum potential.
• The protection of mature trees, other valuable natural vegetation and appropriate buffers, to the greatest extent possible, during construction.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to working with you and the staff of the DEEP as well as the DOT and the DECD to ensure the New Britain-Hartford Busway becomes a first class, environmentally and economically beneficial bus rapid transit system for Connecticut.

Sincerely,

Lori Brown, Executive Director, Connecticut League of Conservation Voters
Don Strait, Executive Director, Connecticut Fund for the Environment
Karen Burnaska, Coordinator, Transit for Connecticut
Tom Colligan, Interim Executive Director, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice
Cheryl Dunson, President, League of Women Voters of Connecticut
David Kooris, Vice President, Regional Plan Association
Ryan Lynch, Connecticut Coordinator, Tri-State Transportation Campaign
Senator Steve Cassano, 4th District
Senator Terry Gerratana, 6th District
Senator Ed Meyer, 12th District
Representative Tim O'Brien, 24th District
Representative Robert Sanchez, 25th District
Pedro E. Segarra. Mayor, City of Hartford
Timothy T. Stewart, Mayor, City of New Britain
Mary Glassman, First Selectman, Town of Simsbury and Chair, Capitol Region Council of Governments
Gerry Amodio, Executive Director, New Britain Downtown District
Carolle Andrews, Chief Administrative Officer, University of Connecticut Health Center
Oz Griebel, President, MetroHartford Alliance
Avner Krohn, President, Jasko Development
Jack Miller, Presiden, Central Connecticut State University
William Millerick, President, New Britain Chamber of Commerce
Mary Tomolonius, Executive Director, Connecticut Association for Community Transportation

The Connecticut Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting to discuss the New Britain-Hartford Busway, a 9.4-mile bus rapid transit service that will improve mobility in the I-84 corridor west of Hartford.  Come learn more about the project, view a brief presentation, and talk with the Busway project team.

Thursday August 11, 2011 | 6:30 p.m.
DiLoreto Multimedia Room, Frank DiLoreto Hall
Central Connecticut State University
1615 Stanley Street
New Britain, CT 06050

Public parking available at nearby Manafort Drive Hall on Manafort Drive
<Interactive Campus Map>

This facility is ADA accessible. Individuals requesting language assistance or accommodations due to a disability may call (860) 594-3061; or (860) 594-3090 (TTY). For consideration your request should be submitted 7 days prior to the event. The department will make every reasonable effort to provide assistance when possible.

Click here to learn more about the busway.

Christine Stuart reports in CT News Junkie that "The state auditors released their finding on the acquisition of the land owned by Aetna for the New Britain-Hartford Busway. The bottom line: the purchase of the land was done properly. The report stated that there was "no misuse of taxpayer dollars," and disputes the claims that the Department of Transportation overpaid for the land. Not the news the Republicans were hoping to receive when they requested a review of the land purchase for the busway. 

The Auditors' Report states that:

"...[T]he amount DOT paid was in accordance with the Federal regulations governing property acquisitions that are made using Federal funds. The amounts paid were supported by appraisals prepared by independent appraisers that DOT hired. The appraisers were hired to determine the fair market value based on the amount of damages that Aetna would suffer from the taking of the properties. That should not be confused with estimating the fair market value when there is a willing seller and a willing buyer, which in this case would most likely have been considerably less. DOT reviewed the appraisals and made its initial offers to Aetna, totaling $5,630,000, as required by the Federal regulations. Aetna refused the initialoffers, but subsequently ended up accepting them."
Read the Auditors' full report here.

CTLCV joined with Transit for Connecticut, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Regional Plan Association, and CRCOG in this Letter to Editor of the Connecticut Post:At first glance, the cost of the New Britain-Hartford Busway may seem high ("Bus-only highway should be scrapped," editorial, April 29). However, the cost of the project that has been touted includes not only the cost to construct the busway but also to purchase right-of-ways, construction of a bike path adjacent to the busway, and the construction of bridges as well as 11 bus stations, all other structures required for the busway and the purchase of new vehicles. Additionally, the cost estimate includes a buffer to account for inflation of costs. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has said on numerous occasions that due to the current economy, it is very likely that bids for the project may come in at or below the estimate.  
Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/Busway-necessary-for-state-s-transit-future-1369276.php#ixzz1LxlZ8wHB

CTLCV joined with a broad coalition of 27 signatories from entities representing everything from CCSU to developers, chambers of commerce, the League of Women Voters, labor and environmental groups, who took note of the Bond Commission’s recent decision to release funding to get the Hartford-New Britain bus rapid transit project. The coalition’s thank you letter to Governor Malloy appears below.

----------

May 2, 2011

The Honorable Dannel P. Malloy
Governor, State of Connecticut
State Capitol
Hartford, CT 06106

Dear Governor Malloy,

Please accept our thanks and appreciation for your steadfast support and leadership of the New Britain/Hartford Busway project.

We believe that the New Britain/Hartford Busway project represents the future for both Connecticut’s economy and transportation infrastructure. The benefits of investing in the Busway are multifold for the state. The construction of the Busway will generate thousands of construction and associated jobs; millions of dollars to be invested in transit-oriented development projects surrounding the Busway will create new jobs and business opportunities; the Busway will offer congestion-free travel to transit riders and help decrease traffic on the most congested part of I-84; and harmful carbon emissions will be decreased.

We commend you for your leadership and support and thank the Bond Commission for releasing the funds needed for the Busway to proceed. If you have any questions please contact Karen Burnaska, Transit for Connecticut or Lyle Wray, Capitol Region Council of Governments. We look forward to working with you as the Busway becomes a reality.

Sincerely,

Tim O’Brien, State Representative, New Britain and Newington
Pedro E. Segarra, Mayor, City of Hartford
Timothy T. Stewart, Mayor, City of New Britain
Scott McBride, Deputy Mayor, Town of Newington
Lyle Wray, Executive Director, Capitol Region Council of Governments
Gerry Amodio, Executive Director, New Britain Downtown District
Lori Brown, Executive Director, CT League of Conservation Voters
Karen Burnaska, Coordinator, Transit for Connecticut
Tom Colligan, Interim Executive Director, CT Coalition for Environmental Justice
Cheryl Dunson, President, League of Women Voters of CT
Oz Griebel, President, MetroHartford Alliance
David Kooris, Vice President, Regional Plan Association
Avner Krohn, President, Jasko Development
Charles LeChonce, Business Manager, CT Laborers District Council
Ryan Lynch, Connecticut Coordinator, Tri-State Transportation Campaign
Jeffrey Merrow, Business Manager, Laborers Local 611
Jack Miller, President, Central Connecticut State University
William F. Millerick, President, New Britain Chamber of Commerce
Don Strait, Executive Director, CT Fund for the Environment
Mary Tomolonius, Executive Director, CT Assoc for Community Transportation
City of Hartford Neighborhood Revitalization Zones:
   Bernadine Silvers and Jackie McKinney, Co-Chairs, Board of Directors, Hartford 2000, Inc.
   David Corrigan, Chair, Frog Hollow NRZ
   Donna Thompson Daniels, President, Blue Hills NRZ
   Lynn Ferrari, President, Hartford’s CSS/CON NRZ
   Brandon McGee, Vice President, Northeast NRZ
   David Morin, Secretary, Parkville Revitalization Association
   Tomas Nenortas, Chair, South Downtown NRZ

Tom Swarr, Chair of the CTLCV Education Fund, passes along this very cool link to StreetFilms.org, a site that documents livable streets worldwide in short films that show how smart transportation design and policy can result in better places to live, work and play. Their nearly 350 videos have been viewed over 3.5 million times and have inspired action and behavioral change worldwide.

Street Films produced Moving Beyond the Automobile,  “a ten part video series that explores solutions to the problem of automobile dependency.  It's a visual handbook that will help guide policy makers, advocacy organizations, teachers, students, and others into a world that values pedestrian plazas over parking lots and train tracks over highways.  Cars were then, and this is now.  Welcome to the future.”

Still wondering about the bus rapid transit project coming to Hartford & New Britain? Check out this 3-minute video:

CTLCV is rolling out a new e-letter called CONNECTIONS: Linking Transportation and the Environment in Connecticut, to provide brief updates on transportation news, issues, policies and legislation that impact your quality of life here in Connecticut.   We welcome your feedback and news tips and hope you find it interesting and informative. 

At the LOB

• Bill 720, Vulnerable Users Bill passed favorably in a 41 to 4 vote in the Judiciary Committee last week and we have high hopes that this is the year for the bill to finally become law.  CTLCV supports this bill as a smart growth bill that makes our roads safer and encourages non-motorized transportation by imposing penalties on drivers that “fail to use due care”.
  
  A special thanks to Senator Beth Bye who championed this bill, even donning her bike helmet during the Judiciary meeting to reinforce her support.  Thanks also to Judiciary Chairs, Senator Coleman and Rep. Fox for amending the agenda on the final day to place the bill first on the agenda, allowing it to come for a vote before the clock ran out.  Kudos to Bike Walk CT and Tri-State Transportation Campaign for tirelessly working this bill!
  
  Relevant Facts:
        -     A ‘Vulnerable User’ is a pedestrian, highway worker, person riding or driving an animal, riding a bike, using a wheelchair, skateboard, skates, or riding a farm tractor
        -     ConnDOT 2010 pedestrian accident reports highest number of ped. accidents were in the cities Bridgeport (128)  Hartford (127) Waterbury (105) Stamford (81) New Haven (75).
  
  This bill does not automatically assume the driver is at fault and does not remove responsibility from the vulnerable user.  State law already has provisions that subject bicyclists and pedestrians to safe use of roads.  
  
  
• Bill 6200, Tolls to build new highways or highway extensions was amended to add “for the purpose of new expansion of Rte 11 from Salem to I-95” and approved in the Finance committee this week in a 37 to 15 vote primarily on party lines with the D’s unanimously in favor of it.  There is a need for new sources of revenue dedicated to transportation infrastructure repair and mass transit projects and tolls need to be considered. Projects that involve building new roads or bridges need to be carefully evaluated through a smart growth prism to assess the net environmental benefit.  Both sides of the ‘completing Rte 11’ environmental debate need to be heard and CTLCV will work to get that information to you over the next few weeks.
  

Around the State:

• Office of Fiscal Analysis projects the CT Special Transportation Fund will have a cumulative deficit of $35.1 million by FY 14.  Yikes!
  

Around the Nation

• Transportation for America (www.t4america.org)  reports that there is reason for alarm among transportation advocates as the House approved FY12 GOP budget calls for cuts of $633 billion for transportation over the next ten years.  Read the article “Path to Prosperity or Road to Ruin? Either Way, the House Says Yes” on Streets Blog Capitol Hill here.
  
• In CT those cuts could be bad news for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line project which is waiting for an additional $227 million in federal funding.  The federal New Starts funding for the New Britain-Hartford Bus Rapid Transit project however looks to be intact and especially promising as this project is considered shovel-ready for late spring or early summer this year. The busway is a win for the environment with an expected daily ridership of 16,000 people and decreasing road congestion and a win for the economy with an expected creation of 12,000 construction related jobs.