The Connecticut Post wrote a thoughtful editorial today about how to move the state’s transportation network towards the 21st Century. Hopefully, the ConnDOT Reform Commission is listening. The Commission’s report, recommending how ConnDOT can move “beyond highways,” is due to Governor Rell on December 17th. An excerpt:

The state Department of Transportation faces criticism over where it spends money. Too much, critics say, goes toward new roads, and not enough to alternatives like walking and biking paths, mass transit improvements and responsible land-use initiatives. Unless we stop going in the wrong direction, there will never be a hope of making a dent in our traffic crisis.

That’s why advocacy groups like the Tri-State Transportation Campaign encourage starting slow. Work on solutions that can get going right now, rather than putting all hope on some miracle cure to come rescue us from our self-created malaise. Just by altering our spending priorities, we can start to make positive changes. Encourage towns to develop in ways where people don’t have to get in their cars to drive to the next store or the next plaza. Cut down on vehicular traffic in stages, while still looking ahead to bigger changes down the road. It’s not about dictating where people can and can’t live, or what kind of car they can drive, or removing personal choice of any kind. It’s about giving people options. There are plenty of people who would welcome the opportunity to walk across the street to go shopping rather than sitting in the car 15 minutes to go half a block.

The first order of business, though, is to put a hold on the practices that got us here to begin with. A shift in state priorities would be a great starting point.