CT Legislature Moves on Vulnerable User, Amended Toll Bills

The committee reported out a bill to direct ConnDOT to create a detailed plan for tolls. Tolls would have to be all-electronic, like the high-speed toll gantries on Houston's Westpark Tollway (above).

Connecticut’s Joint Committee on Transportation reported several bills out of committee earlier this week, including a Tri-State supported bill to increase penalties for [...]

More Momentum Behind Federal Smart Growth Programs

One of the Obama administration’s key transportation initiatives has been connecting land use and transportation planning to foster walkable communities instead of sprawl. Recent momentum for the effort has come from both Congress and the White House.  Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) has introduced the House version of Senator Dodd (D-CT)’s Livable Communities Act, while Rep. [...]

CT Legislation Would Promote Safer Streets

A competitive safety grant program could help improve safety around transit stops. Pictured are "before" and "after" shots of NYC bus stop improvements funded through a city "safe routes to transit" program. New Jersey has a similar program.

Hoping to build upon last year’s Complete Streets victory, advocates and legislators urged members of the Connecticut [...]

TSTC Report Praises ConnDOT for More Sustainable Policies

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign’s efforts to advance 21st century transportation policies in Connecticut are bearing fruit.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) is spending more on road and bridge repair, public transportation, and cycling and walking projects, according to a TSTC analysis released today.

Tracking the Dollars: A Review of Projected Transportation Spending in Connecticut, 2010-2013, is [...]

Cancellation of CT Bond Projects is Blow to Pedestrian, Cycling, and Downtown Efforts

Last week, Governor Rell canceled nearly $390 million in unallocated bonding funds as a way to pare down Connecticut’s anticipated $500 million deficit for this fiscal year. These cancellations only impacted projects that had been authorized by the State Bond Commission but had not been funded for five years or longer. Of the cuts, $61 [...]

Rail Mirage May Endanger CT Busway Project

The Hartford-New Britain busway (shown in red) will do more than link two cities. Buses from many destinations will use the busway for parts of their routes (shown in green), providing benefits to places like Bishop's Corner and Waterbury (detail shown here; click for full image).

Are Connecticut officials going to miss out on almost [...]

Moynihan Station, Philadelphia Trails Are Region's TIGER Winners

A rendering of one of the entrances to be built as part of Moynihan Station's first phase.

To much fanfare, USDOT announced the winners of the stimulus’ TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grants yesterday, with two coming to our region.

New York City’s Moynihan Station project to convert the Farley Post Office to a train [...]

Federal Budget Has Good News for Region's Bus Projects

A before-and-after rendering of a proposed design for the Nostrand Avenue bus line, at Empire Boulevard.

The federal government’s fiscal year 2011 budget, released this week, has good news for Connecticut’s Hartford-New Britain Busway and New York City’s Nostrand Avenue Select Bus Service. Both were recommended for funds from the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts [...]

New Haven Mayor Promises A First Stitch Towards Reconnecting Downtown

The proposed plan for 100 College Street would replace highway right-of-way with an office/research building with ground-floor retail and a parking garage. It is the first part of a plan to replace New Haven's Route 34 with development and a connected street grid. (Click to enlarge.)

New Haven is sprinting towards gold in the Highway [...]

Yes CT Can: New Haven-Springfield Line Wins High-Speed Rail $

The New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail line is closer than ever to fruition, now that the project has won $40 million from the federal government’s high-speed rail initiative. Thanks to Gov. Jodi Rell, ConnDOT Commissioner Joe Marie, CT House Speaker Chris Donovan, US Sen. Chris Dodd, and advocates, tracks will soon be on the ground for a [...]