[Update: The bill passed the Planning and Development Committee.]

A Connecticut complete streets bill continues to make its way through the legislative process. Yesterday, the State Senate referred Senate Bill 735 to the Joint Committee on Planning and Development, which will hold a hearing on the bill on Monday, April 13th, at 1 pm in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Room 2A.

The bill calls upon the Legislature to direct ConnDOT to begin planning streets for all users, including cyclists, walkers, motorists and transit users and for people of all abilities.  In addition, the bill will dedicate at least 1% of existing transportation funding to cycling and pedestrian infrastructure projects.  ConnDOT currently spends less than 1% of the transportation budget on these projects. This means the agency spends only 95 cents per resident on bike and pedestrian infrastructure every year, about a third less than the national average.

In order for the bill to continue to move forward, the P&D Committee must vote it out or refer the bill to another committee.  If you are a Connecticut resident and believe that streets should be planned for all users, please take this time to contact the members of the P&D Committee, as well as your individual elected officials, and urge them to support Complete Streets for Connecticut!