cyclists,
i am forwarding the draft final of the TSB's January 2007 Connecticut
Transportation Strategy report and recommendations.
another important address:
Ralph J Carpenter
Commissioner of Transportation
P.O. Box 317546
2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06131-7546

e-mail him a letter expressing support for the following
bike-on-trains recommendation:

• Provide dedicated bike space on passenger trains at all times of the day

and the other bicycle friendly recommendations

• Identify and support bike routes to transportation centers
• Identify and remedy existing bicycle storage and parking
deficiencies, especially in urban centers and transportation centers.
• Adopt a policy of allowing bicycles to be carried on state funded
bus routes. As new buses are ordered equip them to permit the carriage
of bicycles.
• Support the development and implementation of the Federal Safe
Routes to School program.
• Encourage municipal and regional officials to work closely with DOT
to include expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities as a part of all
roadway projects.

Thanks,
Richard

Recommendation for bikes on trains at all times of day noted in red
below. More detail is found deeper in the document, on page 52 in
printed version.

Best,

- Kate

CONNECTICUT'S TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY
Report and Recommendations of the Transportation Strategy Board
January, 2007
"Not later than January 1, 2007, and biennially thereafter, the board
shall review and, if necessary, revise the strategy adopted pursuant
to subsection (a) of this section. A report describing any revisions
and the reasons for them shall be submitted to the Governor and,
pursuant to section 11-4a, the General Assembly. Such report shall
include a prioritized list of projects which the board, in
consultation with the commissioner, determines are necessary to
implement the recommended strategy, including the estimated capital
and operating costs and time frame of such projects. Not later than
January 31, 2007, the joint standing committees of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation,
finance, revenue and bonding and planning and development shall meet
with the Commissioners of Transportation and Economic and Community
Development, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the
chairperson of the Transportation Strategy Board and such other
persons as they deem appropriate to consider the report required by
this subsection".

Public Act 06-136 and Section 14(j)

Table of Contents

Section
Page
Transmittal Letter
Transportation Strategy Board Recommendations
5
- Implementation of Transportation Initiatives
6
- Responsible Growth
6
- Highways
6
- Public Transportation
7
- Rail Freight
11
- Aviation
11
- Maritime
12
- Electronic Tolls and Congestion Pricing
13
- Transportation Systems and Demand Management 13
- Evaluation
13
Introduction
14
Guiding Principles and Strategies
16
Transportation and Air Quality
18
Responsible Growth
20
- Executive Order on Responsible Growth
21
- Planning Coordination
23
- Pre-approved Development Areas
23
Interstate Cooperation
24
Highways
26
- Overview
26
- Highway Projects and Funding
28
- Major Roadway Projects
29
- Town Aid Roads
31 \
- Highway Safety
32
- Highway Capacity
33
Public Transportation
34
- Coordinated Service
34
- Employee Transit Incentives
35
- Commuter Rail
36
- Bus Transit
45
- Bicycle and Pedestrian
54
Rail Freight
56
Aviation
57
- Airport Funding
58
- Bradley International Airport
59
- Other Airports
60
Maritime
67
- Connecticut's Ports
67
- Dredging
70
- Movement of People
74
- Other Issues
74
Electronic Tolls and Congestion Pricing
76
Transportation Systems and Demand Management
77
- Transportation System Management
77
- Transportation Demand Management
81
Funding and Finance
84
Evaluation
86
Transmittal Letter
To Come

TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
IMPLEMENTATION OF TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES
l Establish detailed project schedules leading to the timely
implementation of 2005 and 2006 transportation initiatives
l Ensure adequate staffing and resources for the Department of
Transportation.
l Monitor and report on project status and implementation
RESPONSIBLE GROWTH
l Support and facilitate implementation of the Governor's
Executive Order on Responsible growth, with special emphasis on
Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

l Ensure that the strategic actions and tactics included in the
Transportation Strategy support the growth management principles of
the Plan of Conservation and Development.

l Ensure the coordination of state and regional transportation
planning with other state planning efforts, including economic
development and housing plans;

l Foster the integration of transportation and land use planning
at all levels of government

l Provide funding to regional planning organizations and councils
of governments to support improved local and regional transportation
planning

l Facilitate Transit Oriented Development by providing
legislative authority for pre-approved development areas, including
processes for:

o establishing site nomination or eligibility processes and
evaluation priorities;

o evaluating such properties in advance of the receipt of
specific development proposals;

o determining the types and size of the activities appropriate
for the site;

o identifying the project specific permits and approvals
required in order to utilize the site; and

o providing grant funding for a significant portion of the cost
of site remediation for brownfield sites located near transit hubs.



HIGHWAYS



l Undertake a comprehensive review and analysis of electronic
tolls and congestion pricing as a means of both raising revenue and
managing transportation demand. The review should include, but not be
limited to: (1) identification of opportunities for tolls and
congestion pricing in

Connecticut; (2) analysis of the steps required to take advantage of
those opportunities; (3) type, location and operation of tolls; (4)
pricing strategies; (5) potential operating costs and revenues; (6)
impact on traffic congestion and patterns of travel; (7) regional
equity; (8) environmental impact; (9) safety; (10) economic impact;
(11) public/private partnerships; (12) impact of federal requirements
on identified options; and (13) implementation strategies, costs and
timelines.

l Expeditiously implement the safety and operational improvements
authorized and funded by Public Act 05-4. Identify and implement
similar improvements on other state highways.

l Finalize and implement a plan to increase available truck rest
stop parking spaces, to increase the safety of Connecticut's highway
system. Include support systems necessary to comply with state
anti-idling laws.

l Develop a master plan for the maintenance, capacity and future
operations of the State's Interstate highway system

l Continue to support and fund the capacity expansion of the I95
between Branford and North Stonington consistent with on-going
environmental study of that project.

l Complete Route 11, and the associated greenway, from Salem to
I95 consistent with on-going environmental study of that project.

l Continue to support and fund the capacity expansion of I84 from
Danbury to Waterbury consistent with on-going environmental study of
that project.

l Increase the town aid road grant and include incentives to
encourage Transit Oriented Development and sound maintenance and
pavement management practices.

l Support and fund the feasibility and environmental studies for
the reconstruction of the Interchange of Routes 8 and I84 in
Waterbury.

l Support the funding and construction of the Route 6 Expressway
from Bolton Notch to Windham and urge DOT, DEP and federal agencies to
resolve outstanding issues.

l Plan and support improved north/south connections between
Interstate Routes 95 and 84.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

l Identify a statewide Strategic Transportation Network linking
rail and transit services and determine the basic level of service
necessary to provide statewide mobility.

l Enhance state employee transit benefits and encourage private
employers to provide transit benefits to their employees.

l Ensure coordination of all state funded transportation services
regardless of the program or agency responsible for administering
and/or funding such services.

l Require that, in locating state facilities, the State give
priority to those locations on or near rail and bus lines. Consider
the availability of rail and bus service and facilities when making
other state investment decisions.

l Support the development and implementation of a "smart card"
based transit pass program that can be utilized across the entire
public transportation network.



Commuter Rail



l Implement commuter rail service between New Haven and
Springfield by 2010

l Improve integration of New Haven Line, the branch lines, Shore
Line East and the New Haven to Springfield Line so that seamless
service is provided regardless of the entity responsible for operating
a particular line.

l Develop a statewide rail operations plan

l Purchase 24 M8 electric rail cars for use on Shore Line East by 2013.

l Purchase additional electric rail cars for use on the New Haven
Line to increase reliability and support additional service.

l Specify, fund and purchase new rolling stock for use on the New
Haven-Springfield rail line.

l Support cost effective proposals for Metro North access to Penn
Station and intermediate stops.

l Work with the Department of Environmental Protection, the
United States Coast Guard and other responsible entities to address
bridge issues limiting, or potentially limiting, rail service,
especially on Shore Line East.

Rail Stations

l Support and fund, as provided in Public Act 06-136, the
development of a new Metro North rail station and transit oriented
development in the City of West Haven. Evaluate and plan for a new
Metro North rail station in the Town of Orange. Maximize Transit
Oriented Development (TOD) associated with both projects.

l Develop stations and station improvements on Shore Line East,
as required by Public Act 06-136.

l Encourage Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at and near rail stations.

Rail Station Parking


l Develop, in consultation with local officials and commuters, a
uniform policy concerning rail station governance and implement as
existing leases come up for renewal. The policy should provide for
centralized oversight of rail stations and parking; uniform policies,
permits and fees and should ensure adequate...

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