From Crisis to Opportunity: Environment and the Economy are Linked

On December 6, 2011, CTLCV hosted its 12th Annual Environmental Summit in downtown Hartford, with over 200 people in attendance. The overarching message that our state can still have environmental excellence in a time of economic constraint was reinforced throughout the day. We have long understood that there is no "either/or" choice between the economy and the environment, and that public, private and non-profit interests are all stakeholders.

The Summit included a panel on "Transportation, The Environment and The Economy" with Peter Malkin, President of Malkin Holdings, LLC, Sue Merrow, Chair of 1000 Friends of CT, DOT Commissioner Jim Redeker and DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith, moderated by Joe McGee, Business Council of Fairfield County. Thought provoking discussion delved into a range of relevant issues such as transit oriented development and bike/pedestrian initiatives. Hartford Courant columnist, Rick Green highlighted this panel in his article the next day. Copy and paste this link to read it: http://www.courant.com/mobile/hc-green-environmental-summit-1207-20111206,0,678327.column

As the 2012 legislative session looms closer, we have the best opportunity in years to keep issues moving forward in a positive direction for all! If you missed the event, you can watch it on CT-N! If the video below doesn't work, copy and paste this link into your browser: http://ct-n.com/ondemand.asp?ID=7248

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