State’s roads, rails will be improved

(May 16, 2006) After passing a $1.3 billion transportation package last year, state legislators vowed to do more in 2006 to alleviate Connecticut’s highway gridlock, upgrade commuter rail and bus services and improve the state’s prospects for economic growth.

And now that lawmakers in fact approved an additional $2.3 billion transportation package to add to last year’s investment, businesses and workplace commuters in Connecticut will begin to see years of improvements taking shape in the state’s transit systems and infrastructures.

The two transportation packages are efforts to make Connecticut’s transportation systems better able to support the state’s economy and economic development efforts.

Improvements will be made in addition to the ongoing work of the state’s Department of Transportation.

Both this year and last, lawmakers approved projects based on the recommendations of the state’s Transportation Strategy Board (TSB).

Policy-makers formed the TSB in 2001 after economic experts cautioned Connecticut was in danger of being isolated by its inferior transportation infrastructure.

Gov. Rell opened this year’s Assembly by emphasizing the importance of building on last year’s package of improvements, and Speaker of the House James Amann (D-Milford) challenged House members to take a bold step and find the resources to implement the priority projects identified by the TSB.

Based on the recommendations of the TSB, lawmakers in 2005 and 2006 have authorized improvements to the state’s major highways, expansion of commuter rail and bus service; and new provisions for merging transportation planning into Connecticut’s economic development efforts.

CBIA applauds the governor and legislative leaders for continuing to advance a long-term commitment to the building of a world-class transportation system in Connecticut.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Eric Brown at browne@cbia.com or 860-244-1900.