Comments on: 2009 CT Year in Review: Complete Streets Victory Caps a Year of Reform http://blog.tstc.org/2010/01/05/2009-ct-year-in-review-complete-streets-victory-caps-a-year-of-reform/ News and opinion from the Tri-State Transportation Campaign Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:36:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: After 2 Years of Progress, ConnDOT Commissioner Joe Marie Steps Down | Mobilizing the Region http://blog.tstc.org/2010/01/05/2009-ct-year-in-review-complete-streets-victory-caps-a-year-of-reform/comment-page-1/#comment-7115 After 2 Years of Progress, ConnDOT Commissioner Joe Marie Steps Down | Mobilizing the Region Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:46:56 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=8016#comment-7115 [...] who was the first ConnDOT chief with a transit background, started the culture change at ConnDOT with public comments on the need to connect land use with [...] [...] who was the first ConnDOT chief with a transit background, started the culture change at ConnDOT with public comments on the need to connect land use with [...]

]]> By: CT Legislature Moves on Vulnerable User, Amended Toll Bills | Mobilizing the Region http://blog.tstc.org/2010/01/05/2009-ct-year-in-review-complete-streets-victory-caps-a-year-of-reform/comment-page-1/#comment-4191 CT Legislature Moves on Vulnerable User, Amended Toll Bills | Mobilizing the Region Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:10:25 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=8016#comment-4191 [...] a special look out and anticipate where non-motorized users might be. This bill complements the Complete Streets Law … and will promote safer streets that encourage people to walk, exercise and use mass [...] [...] a special look out and anticipate where non-motorized users might be. This bill complements the Complete Streets Law … and will promote safer streets that encourage people to walk, exercise and use mass [...]

]]> By: Walking Safety: ConnDOT Blames the Victim, But Video Shows Otherwise | Mobilizing the Region http://blog.tstc.org/2010/01/05/2009-ct-year-in-review-complete-streets-victory-caps-a-year-of-reform/comment-page-1/#comment-3042 Walking Safety: ConnDOT Blames the Victim, But Video Shows Otherwise | Mobilizing the Region Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:23:02 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=8016#comment-3042 [...] The TSTC report finds that over 60% of pedestrian fatalities in the tri-state area took place on “arterial” roads characterized by fast-moving traffic and few pedestrian amenities.  Earlier analysis of federal data by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership has shown that most pedestrians are killed where no crosswalks can be conveniently accessed. ConnDOT Commissioner Joe Marie should make it clear that his department has a basic responsibility to make travel safe for all road users — especially given the citizen mandate for safer streets embodied by the state’s new complete streets law. [...] [...] The TSTC report finds that over 60% of pedestrian fatalities in the tri-state area took place on “arterial” roads characterized by fast-moving traffic and few pedestrian amenities.  Earlier analysis of federal data by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership has shown that most pedestrians are killed where no crosswalks can be conveniently accessed. ConnDOT Commissioner Joe Marie should make it clear that his department has a basic responsibility to make travel safe for all road users — especially given the citizen mandate for safer streets embodied by the state’s new complete streets law. [...]

]]> By: M Spencer http://blog.tstc.org/2010/01/05/2009-ct-year-in-review-complete-streets-victory-caps-a-year-of-reform/comment-page-1/#comment-3025 M Spencer Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:52:17 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=8016#comment-3025 Correction: ConnDOT *NEVER* presented estimates showing that rail would be costlier than the busway. The only "estimate" was an off-the-cuff quote by Marie than Waterbury-Hartford rail would cost $1 billion. This estimate was based on a mistaken assumption that the whole line would be double-tracked, meaning new tunnels and interstate bridges, among other things, and was not based on any cost analysis but merely plucked out of thin air. Frankly, I can't see why TSTC is so obsessed with the busway. It's a 9.5 mile, dead-end stub line between two rundown cities with bus systems that have seen huge drops in ridership as a mode share in the last ten years. It doesn't connect to wealthier areas, nor does it provide interregional connections, something a small state like CT desperately needs. The busway won't change the fact that it takes over SIX hours to get from Waterbury to Hartford via bus. Before you repeat the mantra that "the busway is cheaper," don't forget that the only reason the busway was selected was because it was the most cost-effective alternative, at $80 million. Today, it's $579 million. With costs like that, maybe it's time to redo the cost-benefit analysis. Correction: ConnDOT *NEVER* presented estimates showing that rail would be costlier than the busway. The only “estimate” was an off-the-cuff quote by Marie than Waterbury-Hartford rail would cost $1 billion.

This estimate was based on a mistaken assumption that the whole line would be double-tracked, meaning new tunnels and interstate bridges, among other things, and was not based on any cost analysis but merely plucked out of thin air.

Frankly, I can’t see why TSTC is so obsessed with the busway. It’s a 9.5 mile, dead-end stub line between two rundown cities with bus systems that have seen huge drops in ridership as a mode share in the last ten years. It doesn’t connect to wealthier areas, nor does it provide interregional connections, something a small state like CT desperately needs. The busway won’t change the fact that it takes over SIX hours to get from Waterbury to Hartford via bus.

Before you repeat the mantra that “the busway is cheaper,” don’t forget that the only reason the busway was selected was because it was the most cost-effective alternative, at $80 million. Today, it’s $579 million. With costs like that, maybe it’s time to redo the cost-benefit analysis.

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