Congress has approved a six-month extension of transportation funding, temporarily easing states' concerns that money for infrastructure projects would expire. The funding extension helps avoid shutting down infrastructure projects all over the nation. Read the full Stateline article here. Obama has been pushing for the funding renewal for some time. Around Labor Day, the White House released a state-by-state analysis of how many jobs would immediately be lost if transportation funding were not renewed. Connecticut would have lost more than 10,000 jobs, according to White House data here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/07/clock-ticking-clean-extension-transportation-bill. Add Comment 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. Connections: September 7, 2011 Edition 09/06/2011
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
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:
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 Connections: August 23, 2011 Edition 08/24/2011
At the Capitol: State Budget Impact on Transportation Projects Still Uncertain With the state labor unions voting to accept the concessions package, Connecticut now has a state budget in place. It is still unclear how transportation funding will shake out. Governor Malloy's initial budget, Plan A, left most transportation funding intact. Unfortunately, it seems likely that public transit riders will see fare hikes and/or service cuts. This is the time when the state should be working to attract more riders; fare hikes and service cuts takes us in the wrong direction and will put more people back in their cars and add more cars to our already congested highways. ConnDOT is holding a series of six public hearings around the state over the next week about transit fares and services. The first public hearing is Monday, August 22, in New Britain. It is important that the public shows up and speaks out to keep public transit in the forefront of the state's transportation priorities for funding. For a complete list of the public sessions, visit www.ct.gov/dot/farecomments. To submit your comments by email on the proposals, visit dot.farecomments@ct.gov. Around the State: Putnam Bridge Renovation Offers Great Chance for Walking, Running, Biking Across River The Putnam Bridge connecting Glastonbury and Wethersfield over the Connecticut River is up for a major renovation providing a golden opportunity to finally add bike lanes and a walkway to this 52- year-old bridge. ConnDOT is planning a $33 million rehabilitation project to fix safety and structural deficiencies with construction starting in 2012 and completed in 2013. The estimated construction cost of this bridge project is $33 million with 80% coming from federal funding and 20% from state funding. Historically, there has not been any pedestrian or bike access over the Putnam Bridge but ConnDOT staff, town officials, and bike/pedestrian advocates now are working together to develop a plan for linking the two sides of the Connecticut River for people who want to walk or bike between the two communities. It would allow people to ride from Somerset Square in Glastonbury to Old Wethersfield town center. The Putnam Bridge is also a critical piece of a larger bike route for people who want to commute to Hartford by bike. The town councils in Glastonbury and Wethersfield have unanimously approved resolutions supporting the idea, and support has come from the Capitol Region Council of Governments, Bike Walk CT, Glastonbury Bikeways and Goodwin College in East Hartford. At recent public meetings, ConnDOT stated that there is limited space and no funds yet allocated for bike/pedestrian access on the Putnam Bridge. ConnDOT has determined that the rehabilitated bridge can support a six foot wide sidewalk on just one side of the bridge at a construction cost of $5-$10 million. ConnDOT has informed the towns and public that this amount does not include funding for construction of the town-side approaches to the bridge sidewalk, an undertaking that ConnDOT states is the responsibility of the towns, not the state. That's troubling to hear when we have a Governor who stresses bike/pedestrian initiatives as a priority for Connecticut's transportation infrastructure and a state legislature that passed the Complete Streets law in 2009 that requires 1% of all new transportation projects to be dedicated to bike/ped improvements. Take action and tell the decision makers how you feel. Their email addresses are:
Connecticut won $15.7 million in grants for transportation from the Federal Highway Administration. On August 17, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a new round of federal grants for state transportation projects. Compared to some of our neighbors, Connecticut fared pretty well this time. Massachusetts received $6.1 million, Rhode Island received $1.6 million, Vermont received $4.2 million, New York received $16.2 million and New Jersey received $4.5 million. Two of the projects that will be funded through these grants are for tolling studies-a $1.1 million grant to study congestion pricing for I-95 corridor from New Haven to NY and a $644,000 grant to study "pricing strategies" (i.e., tolls) for I-84 in Hartford related to the rebuilding of the I-84 viaduct. It was very encouraging to also see a $1.3 million grant awarded to New Britain to implement a complete street strategy for the downtown area. With the New Britain-Hartford Busway project moving forward this kind of funding is very timely. Ensuring safe and accessible streets for pedestrians and bikers in the downtown area that connect with the stations for the new bus rapid transit system, will further enhance the community for developers, businesses, residents, and visitors. To view the press release and complete list of projects, visit http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/fhwa1137ct.htm Kudos to ConnDOT for applying for and receiving these grants! 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. With the recent announcement by Governor Malloy, US Representative Joe Courtney and ConnDOT on the decision to fund a $5 million feasibility study to complete Route 11 in southeastern Connecticut, the CTLCV Education Fund has asked both sides of the issue to weigh in. This project has been studied for decades and the environmental and economic impacts are significant. We previously posted positions on both sides of the debate: Route 11 Debate. Now you can read the rebuttals: Rebuttal to opposition’s points by those supporting the RT 11 Extension, by David Bingham, MD and Rebuttal to supporter’s points by those opposing the Rte 11 Extension, by Ryan Lynch. For questions, contact Kirsten Griebel at kirsten.griebel@ctlcv.org or 860.236.5442. 
On June 27 US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $1.58 billion for 27 transit projects nationwide that will improve public transportation access for millions of Americans while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and curbing air pollution. “Investing in a modern transportation network is a key part of President Obama's strategy to win the future by out-building and out-competing the rest of the world," Secretary LaHood said. “America’s long-term economic success requires investing now in transportation infrastructure capable of moving people and goods more safely, efficiently and quickly than ever before.” “Our investments in expanding America’s transit networks will not only improve reliable transportation access for communities across the country, they will support construction jobs and economic development,” said Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff. “And, a more efficient and reliable transit network means new opportunities for Americans to keep more of their paychecks in their wallets and spend less at the gas pump.” Twenty-seven transit projects across America are on a path to receive funding under the New Starts program, through which Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides federal support for major capital construction projects such as subways, light rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit. These projects include:
Read more at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2011/fta3311a.html. Yes, Our Highways Are Subsidized. 06/28/2011
An excellent editorial in the June 28, 2011 Hartford Courant strikes at the heart of the myth that highways are self-supporting and not subsidized and therefor other forms of transportation are should pay their own way too. The editorial notes that since 1947, the amount of money spent on highways, roads and streets has exceeded the amount raised through gasoline taxes and other so-called user fees by $600 billion. Today, highway user fees pay only about half the cost of building and maintaining the nation's network of highways, roads and streets. ... At some point very soon, someone in a leadership position is going to have to deliver the bad news about the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and the fact that there is no such thing as a freeway. Then perhaps we can analyze what the system really costs and how we intend to pay for it.The full editorial is worth a read. See http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-ed-transportation-costs-0628-20110628-5,0,3838620.story#tugs_story_display. State Auditors OK Busway Land Purchase 06/23/2011
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. Should Connecticut Complete Route 11? 05/31/2011
With a bill pending approval by the House and Senate to install tolls to pay for the completion of Route 11 in Southeastern Connecticut and the recent announcement by Governor Malloy, US Representative Joe Courtney and ConnDOTon funding a $5 million feasibility study for Route 11, the CTLCV Education Fund has asked both sides of the issue to weigh in. This project has been studied for decades and the environmental and economic impacts are huge. To read both sides of the debate click here: Route 11 Debate. For questions, contact Kirsten Griebel at kirsten.griebel@ctlcv.org or 860.236.5442. | CONNECTIONS!Beginning in April 2011, we are 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. ArchivesSeptember 2011 CategoriesAll | ||
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