Last year, MTR wrote that Connecticut was “poised for success” after the state began to embrace progressive transportation policy reform in 2007. Though a broad overhaul of Connecticut’s transportation policy did not occur in 2008, ConnDOT is clearly more focused on transit and transit-oriented development than in 2007. New Haven also embraced livable streets policy, becoming a hotbed of civic and political advocacy.

Jan.-May: ConnDOT Reform and Legislation

2008 began with the release of a much anticipated report from the Governor’s Commission on the Reform of ConnDOT. The report set the stage for effective planning reform throughout ConnDOT, emphasizing the prioritization of road and bridge maintenance over expansion (“fix-it-first”) and policies that would support smart growth initiatives and reduce driving. Unfortunately, instead of focusing on these thoughtful ideas, Governor Rell introduced a bill to split ConnDOT into a Department of Public Transportation, Ports and Aviation and a Department of Highways, which would have forced the agency to spend much energy on structural rather than policy reform.  Thankfully, the legislation was not enacted.

In addition to the proposal to split ConnDOT, the General Assembly session started off with some bold transportation initiatives.   However, by the end of the session, bills that would have improved access for bikes and pedestrians, and increased funding for bus operations were dramatically watered down.

The Connecticut Bond Commission also dedicated $75 million to a bridge and road repair program. While the program was billed as “fix-it-first,” it did not represent a fundamental shift in the way the State allocates funding to transportation projects.  ConnDOT spends the majority of the road and bridge money in its capital budget on expansion rather than maintenance and repair.

New ConnDOT Commissioner

The biggest coup of the year in Connecticut transportation news, however, was the appointment of Joseph Marie as the new ConnDOT Commissioner in late April.  A self-proclaimed “transit guy,” Commissioner Marie has spent the latter part of the year getting to know the lay of the land in Connecticut.  But by all accounts, his appointment looks like a boon for progressive transportation policy reform in Connecticut.  Eight months into his new job the Commissioner is already discussing the link between transportation and land use, has publicly supported transit-oriented development and corridor planning efforts, and is looking into how the Department can fast-track projects like the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter rail line and the Hartford-New Britain Busway.  All are vast improvements over previous commissioners’ efforts.

June-Dec.: Transportation Funding and Transit

No less significant was the Transportation Strategy Board’s announcement this past July that it had chosen a consultant for the long delayed study on congestion pricing in Connecticut.  The study began in September and the analysis is to include a broad view of the issues surrounding implementing congestion pricing in Connecticut.  The results are due in early 2009, in time for the General Assembly to act upon the findings.

As in much of the country, high gas prices led to soaring ridership on existing transit service throughout Connecticut.  However, the response from Connecticut’s elected officials was mixed.  Shore Line East service was expanded to weekends and holidays, but increased bus funding, approved during the “short” legislative session, was nixed in the face of Connecticut’s budget crisis later in the year.  In addition, state elected officials canceled a scheduled gas tax increase in June that may prove to be detrimental to the State’s ability to fund future transportation projects.

Despite these funding setbacks, Connecticut’s two major transit projects took tangible steps towards completion after having barely progressed in 2007.  In December, ConnDOT began scoping hearings for the Environmental Assessment on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Line  project.  In addition, the Department held public hearings on design and scheduling issues concerning the Hartford-New Britain Busway.

Making Streets Livable in New Haven

The deaths of Yale medical student Mila Rainof and 11 year old Gabrielle Lee, in separate traffic incidents in the spring and summer, set off a groundswell of civic anger and support for increased pedestrian and bicycling safety measures throughout New Haven.  After advocacy by the New Haven Safe Streets Coalition, created in the wake of the tragedies, the New Haven Board of Alders passed “complete streets” legislation and the City launched a “Street Smarts” traffic safety campaign aimed at motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in the fall. Alderwoman Erin Sturgis-Pascale was at the forefront of many of these efforts and emerged as, arguably, the preeminent “livable streets” elected official in Connecticut.

In April, Tri-State teamed with the Urban Design League and the City of New Haven to hold a symposium on urban highway removal, promoting the City’s plan to remove the Route 34 Connector and replace it with a boulevard lined with retail, housing and commercial development.  The event was key-noted by Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) President and CEO John Norquist, and CNU named the Route 34 Connector one of the top ten highway removal projects in the country in September.  The City is currently studying the project and anticipates completion of the analysis by March 2009. Design New Haven reports that nine firms have submitted proposals to redevelop Route 34. However, funding still needs to be lined up and the project is expected to cost approximately $100 million.

Connecticut’s Overall Trend in 2008: Up.

Poised for Success in 2009?

ConnDOT reform won’t happen without leadership from the governor, who should make it clear that the state is prioritizing transit, maintenance of existing roads and bridges, and projects that build communities rather than roads. ConnDOT must streamline the proposed 2-year timeline for the New Haven-Springfield Commuter Rail study and act with a greater sense of urgency if these projects will take advantage of an anticipated federal stimulus package.

ConnDOT must also take a cue from the great work being done in New Haven and begin to adequately fund pedestrian and cycling projects throughout the state. (The state spends just $0.94 per resident annually on bike and pedestrian projects, compared to a $1.34 national average and $7.31 in Rhode Island; virtually all of its bike/ped funding comes from federal sources.)

Legislators will have plenty of say when it comes to transportation. During the next General Assembly session, expect debates over congestion pricing, the need to increase funding for bus transit, and the Hartford-New Britain Busway and New Haven-Springfield Commuter Rail Line.

The pace of reform, however, will largely depend on ConnDOT Commissioner Marie, and whether Gov. Rell supports the innovations he brings to the agency. Given the enormity of the task before him, they should prepare for a sprint.