Connections: Connecticut Wins $15 Million in Federal Transportation Funding

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!

Connections: 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:

• Scott A. Hill, DOT's manager of bridges and facilities:  scott.hill@ct.gov
• State Rep. Jason Rojas:  jason.rojas@cga.ct.gov
• State Rep. Russ Morin:  russell.morin@cga.ct.gov
• State Rep. Prasad Srinivasan:  prasad.srinivasan@housegop.ct.gov
• State Sen. Paul Doyle:  paul.doyle@cga.ct.gov
• State Sen. Steve Cassano:  steve.cassano@cga.ct.gov

Connections: 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.

New Britain-Hartford Busway Public Info Session: Thurs., Aug. 11 @ 6:30 pm

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 contact the busway communications office at (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.