Earlier this year, Governor Rell proposed canceling plans to bond for $389 million worth of capital projects as a way to curb Connecticut’s deficit and maintain its bond rating.  Unfortunately, the plan impacted a variety of projects that would have promoted more bikeable, walkable and smart growth oriented initiatives. This week, the Connecticut General Assembly took steps to reduce that damage.

The Assembly has amended the governor’s bill, passing a $422 million package of cuts that is larger than the governor’s but mutes the impact on bike and pedestrian projects. Of the Committee’s $422 million in cuts, only 6% ($25 million) affect programs that promote bikeable and walkable environments and downtown development, while the Governor’s proposed bond cuts singled out 16% ($61 million).

While most of the Assembly’s cuts to these types of projects were scaled-back versions of the Governor’s proposals, there were a few changes:

• The Assembly restores $9 million for the Meriden Flood Control and Hub project to mitigate serious floods and create a downtown for Meriden.
• The Assembly restores $2 million for the state’s Bikeway, Pedestrian Walkway and Greenway Grant Program. (Gov. Rell would have cut all $6 million to be bonded for the program.)
• The Assembly cuts $10 million for the Responsible Growth Incentive Fund, a program that would award grants of up to $1 million to municipalities or regional planning organizations that implement transit-oriented plans and strategies in designated areas.

The bill passed both houses of the General Assembly unanimously and is awaiting Gov. Rell’s signature.

Deficit-Closing Plan Takes Bite Out of Transportation Fund

Last month, Connecticut’s transportation system took another hit when the General Assembly approved and Gov. Rell signed a $371 million deficit mitigation plan which will transfer $10 million from Connecticut’s Special Transportation Fund into the general fund.  The HomeCT grant program, a program dedicated to creating affordable housing in transit-rich and downtown areas, was also cut under the deficit mitigation plan, though by a smaller amount than originally proposed by Governor Rell.

Image: Via City of Meriden.