While elections in New York City and New Jersey got the most news attention this past week, there were a number of races across Connecticut that were also decided on Tuesday. Mayoral races took place throughout Connecticut, but the results from two of Connecticut’s major cities could have significant transportation implications.

New Haven

In New Haven, State Senator Toni Harp defeated Alderman Justin Elicker in a campaign in which transportation issues were prominent. Elicker, who represented the city’s East Rock neighborhood, entered the contest with a long record supporting livable streets. Harp came to embrace some of these issues during the campaign, culminating in the October release of a policy paper supportive of a city bike share system, protected bike lanes, lower speed limits near schools and hospitals, and upgrades to the city’s bus system including information screens for arrivals and schedule changes. However, Harp also suggested that the city’s Downtown Crossing plan should be revised to improve car movement and gave conflicting answers on whether she would support lowering the speed limit to 20 mph citywide.

Harp also called for improvements to the New Haven Line, with the goal of cutting travel time between New Haven and New York City from 90 minutes to an hour. In the past, she has joined other state representatives from New Haven in supporting legislation allowing municipalities to use red-light cameras.

Harp inherits a city that has made major progress on livable streets under Mayor John DeStefano, whose administration has responded to grassroots energy around bike and pedestrian safety to make New Haven a leader in the livable streets movement not only in the state but nationwide. Current New Haven Transportation, Traffic, and Parking Director Jim Travers has added new bike lanes and bike parking in the city, planned a cycle track, and spearheaded efforts to convert many of the city’s confusing one-way streets into retail-friendly two-way streets. It’s incumbent that mayor-elect Harp continue this progress and not allow the city to backslide in its commitment to advancing progressive transportation policy.

Stamford

Livable streets advocates in Stamford are optimistic about mayor-elect David Martin, the former president of the city’s Board of Representatives. During a debate, Martin said he would work to make streets more bike and pedestrian friendly, would ride a bike himself to set an example, and would rehire a transportation planner (the city has not had a transportation planner for several years). Martin is a member of People-Friendly Stamford, a citizens’ group that has worked for better pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in the city, and he has participated twice in the monthly Bike Stamford ride.

Stamford is a fast-growing city that, in some key places, lacks pedestrian-friendly streets and basic bike infrastructure. It’s also missing a complete streets policy and a systematic traffic calming program. Martin has his work cut out for him.

Central Connecticut

In central Connecticut, Erin Stewart was elected mayor of New Britain, while Manny Santos was elected mayor of Meriden. Transportation doesn’t appear to have played a significant role in either race. However, the state will need to quickly engage the new mayors so that ongoing efforts to attract development around CTfastrak (which will serve New Britain) and the New Haven-Springfield Rail Line (which will serve Meriden) don’t stall. The new mayors will also need to prioritize safe walking and bicycling connections to the proposed transit stations in their cities.