Public Hearings on Route 9, other DOT Projects Tuesday

The state Department of Transportation will hold two hearings on Tuesday July 11 at DOT headquarters in Newington to solicit public input on projects including a proposal to eliminate traffic lights on Route 9 in Middletown.

Governor Malloy and DOT officials announced plans for eliminating the lights and re-configuring traffic flow on Main Street and Route 9/Route 66 last summer, and held a local public hearing a few days later. (Full video of the hearing: click here.  Eye article here.)

Tuesday's hearings (one at 1pm, the second at 7pm) will address the DOT's "Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan" for the next four years which includes major projects such as Route 9, work on New London's Gold Star Bridge and other bridges throughout the state, the I-91/CT15 interchange in Hartford, statewide bus replacements, New Haven Line track replacement, and the Waterbury 'mixmaster'.

The extensive list in the plan document also includes line items for "MAT - ADMIN CAPITAL/SUPPORT EQUIP/SCV PROGRAM" for the next 4 fiscal years, a reference to the Middletown Area Transit bus service, which has been making headlines due to proposed route cuts and a financial crisis. ConnDOT is reportedly trying to assess and manage MAT's problems.

Public comment on the plan is open until the end of the month. If you can't attend one of the hearings, you can submit written comments to:

Mrs. Maribeth Wojenski

Transportation Assistant Planning Director

Bureau of Policy and Planning

Connecticut Department of Transportation

P.O. Box 317546

Newington, CT  06131-7546

Transportation Forum hosted by Rockfall Foundation

"Getting Where You Want To Go"

A presentation and conversation with the CT League of Conservation Voters about connecting and preserving your community with better transportation.

Tuesday

Nov. 19, 2013

5:30 to 7:30 pm

deKoven House Community Center

 Together we will explore:

*the upfront and hidden costs of our present transportation system on our economy, health and natural resources throughout our state;

*a vision for a new, 21st-century system that promotes livable communities, enhances public health and our economy, and preserves our environment--all while moving people and goods to where they need to go.

For more details, click here.

Hosted by The Rockfall Foundation, this event is free. 

Seating is on a first come, first served basis. 

Registration is not necessary but appreciated

Contact Tony Marino (860)347-0340 or email: tmarino@rockfallfoundation.org

Transform CT

On June 25th, Governor Malloy and DOT Commissioner announced Transform
CT, an 18-month outreach campaign that will culminate in the development of
a strategic transportation plan for the state. Residents and stakeholders
will play a key role in the development of the plan.

As of today the Transform CT website has received over 8700 ideas.
Please log on to the website, www.TransformCT.org, and express you views.
It is extremely important that decision makers are aware of your support for
increased and improved bus transit in Connecticut. Include the importance
of bus transit to get to work, school, medical appointments and shopping.
Also note the importance of timely bus/rail connections, express bus service
and dial-a-ride programs.

Two topics posted on the website today are: "What transportation
investments should we make today that our children and grandchildren will
thank us for tomorrow?" and "What transportation systems or elements of
transportation systems do you admire in other parts of the country that
Connecticut could learn from to improve our quality of life?" Bus transit
needs to be up there along with roads and rail. Bus transit is the backbone
of Connecticut's transportation system and improving bus transit will
improve the quality of lives for all residents of the state.

Please add the importance of adequately funding bus transit, the need
for the state to use transportation funds for transportation projects only
and to invest wisely in transit projects that will generate economic
benefits, reduce congestion, help improve the environment, and provide much
needed transportation options.

Please log on to Transform CT today!

Thank you for your support.

Karen Burnaska, Coordinator

Transit for Connecticut

(203) 261-9243

Contemplating solutions for the core city

Jennifer Saines sent along an email:

I write to remind you that there will be a P&Z meeting tomorrow evening at 7 PM. The public hearing includes discussion of a chapter of Middletown's Plan of Development entitled "The Urban Dilemna" which addresses the challenges facing the downtown neigborhoods.

Peruse it on the Middletown Eye's meeting agenda, and come and speak about how you feel the city can best improve life and business in the downtown. Alternatively, you can hand in a written statement. Some topics that you may want to consider include: public transportation, bike racks, garbage collection, group housing, traffic, library hours and funding, trees, sidewalks, bumpouts, parking, neighborhood schools, etc. Or you may simply want to push for a plan of downtown development that is based on the principles of smart growth.