New proposal aims to get DOT started on road to reform

Measure should be expanded to increase accountability

(March 7, 2008) It’s obvious that Connecticut has huge transportation challenges, with congested highways, aging roads and bridges and the need for strategic planning that can help the state’s economy grow into the 21st century.

The question is: How do we get started on the road to transportation improvement?

 
Part of the answer lies in a Transportation Committee proposal that would make strategic changes in how the agency operates. This week the committee approved SB-46, which would begin to put into action the ideas of a special commission Gov. Rell charged with finding ways to reform the state Department of Transportation (DOT).

First, the DOT would get a new chief operating officer to take over the agency’s day-to-day operations. And with a new COO in place, the agency’s top officer — the commissioner —would be free to spend more time on policy and strategy, working with the governor’s office, legislature, Connecticut’s congressional delegation, the federal government and regional transportation officials.

What’s more, the bill would establish an office of strategic planning that could coordinate and oversee process-mapping and continuous improvement programs throughout the agency.

Business leaders know that a system that is broken can’t be fixed without mapping each component of the system, re-engineering as necessary, assigning accountability and establishing measures to determine how effective the reforms are.

Right now, the DOT has no formal quality and continuous improvement program, such as those being used in more than 30 other states. Ultimately, the agency has to be able to clearly define each step in its major processes, and assign timelines, budgets and accountability for each. The new office could help the DOT accomplish that.

CBIA testified in support of the bill at a March 5 public hearing but encouraged the committee to expand the bill to include more recommendations of the DOT reform commission and include a role for the legislature to make sure that fundamental and critically needed reforms are made.

For example, the bill should require the DOT report to the legislature on the agency’s progress in implementing a quality and continuous improvement program, conducting a comprehensive talent assessment to determine whether the agency has the appropriate people to address current and anticipated challenges, and implementation of other key commission recommendations.

With bills like SB-46, the legislature can do much to increase the DOT’s ability to plan and execute high-priority transportation improvements — and provide the kind of transportation system our economy needs.

For more information, contact Eric Brown at 860-244-1926 or eric.brown@cbia.com.