Sec. 13b-79p. Duties of Commissioner of Transportation re strategic transportation projects and initiatives, transportation improvement projects and state transportation plans.
Sec. 13b-79p. Duties of Commissioner of Transportation re strategic transportation projects and initiatives, transportation improvement projects and state
transportation plans. (a) The Commissioner of Transportation shall implement the
following strategic transportation projects and initiatives:
(1) Restoring commuter rail service on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line,
including providing shuttle bus service between the rail line and Bradley International
Airport;
(2) Implementing the New Britain-Hartford busway, subject to the availability of
federal funds;
(3) Rehabilitating rail passenger coaches for use on Shore Line East, the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line and the branch lines;
(4) Developing a new commuter rail station in West Haven;
(5) Meeting the costs of capital improvements on the branch lines, not to exceed
forty-five million dollars;
(6) Meeting the capital costs of parking and rail station improvements on the New
Haven Line, Shore Line East and the branch lines, not to exceed sixty million dollars;
(7) Funding the local share of the Southeast Area Transit federal pilot project;
(8) Completing the Norwich Intermodal Transit Hub Roadway improvements;
(9) Conducting environmental planning and assessment for the expansion of Interstate 95 between Branford and the Rhode Island border;
(10) Completing preliminary design and engineering for Interstate 84 widening
between Waterbury and Danbury;
(11) Funding the Commercial Vehicle Information System Network, including
weigh-in motion and electronic preclearance of safe truck operators for fixed scale operations on Interstate 91 and Interstate 95, not to exceed four million dollars;
(12) Funding the capital costs of the greater Hartford highway infrastructure improvements in support of economic development;
(13) Completing a rail link to the port of New Haven;
(14) Purchasing not more than thirty-eight electric rail cars for use on the New
Haven Line and Shore Line East commuter rail services;
(15) Purchasing of equipment and facilities to support Shore Line East commuter
rail expansion, including implementation of phases I and II, as recommended in the
report submitted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section;
(16) Improving bicycle access to and storage facilities at transportation centers;
(17) Developing a new commuter rail station in Orange;
(18) Funding the Waterbury Intermodal Transportation Center, not to exceed eighteen million dollars;
(19) Improving bus connectivity and service, not to exceed twenty million dollars
for capital costs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. The funds shall be used to
(A) construct bus maintenance and storage facilities for the Windham and Torrington
regional transit districts, not to exceed fourteen million dollars, (B) purchase vehicles
for the Buses for 21st Century Mobility program, not to exceed five million dollars,
and (C) purchase vehicles for elderly and disabled demand responsive transportation
programs for use by municipalities that participate in the state matching grant program
established under section 13b-38bb, not to exceed one million dollars;
(20) Funding the state share of Tweed Airport's runway safety area, not to exceed
one million fifty-five thousand dollars;
(21) Evaluating the purchase of rolling stock for direct commuter rail service connecting Connecticut to New Jersey via Pennsylvania Station in New York, New York
by the initiation of ongoing formal discussions by the state of Connecticut, acting
through the Governor or the Governor's designee, with the states of New York and
New Jersey and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Amtrak regarding the
extension of rail service from Pennsylvania Station to points in this state; and
(22) Improving bicycle and pedestrian access throughout the state transportation
system.
(b) The commissioner shall evaluate and plan the implementation of the following
projects:
(1) Improving Routes 2 and 2A in the towns of Preston, North Stonington and Montville, including conducting the first phase of a study examining construction of a Route
2A bypass alternative that would begin in Preston, proceed in a northerly direction
toward downtown Norwich, and end at Route 2 in Preston. The first phase of the study
shall include, but need not be limited to, an analysis of the feasibility, local economic
impact and cost of constructing that portion of the bypass alternative that would pass
through the Hinkley Hill area of Norwich. The first phase of the study shall be conducted
by an independent entity pursuant to a contract with the Department of Transportation,
the value of which shall not exceed three hundred thousand dollars. The results of the
first phase of the study shall be submitted not later than September 30, 2008, to said
department and the joint standing committee having cognizance of matters relating to
transportation;
(2) Upgrading the Pequot Bridge in Montville;
(3) Evaluating rail links to other ports;
(4) Supporting and encouraging the dredging of the state's commercial ports;
(5) Developing a second rail passenger station between New Haven and Milford;
(6) Expanding Route 9; and
(7) Completing the Day Hill Corridor environmental assessment study, not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars.
(c) The commissioner shall, in consultation with the board, recommend the implementation of additional transportation improvement projects. Upon the approval of the
Governor and allocation by the State Bond Commission, the proceeds of bonds issued
pursuant to section 13b-79q may be used to support such projects.
(d) The commissioner shall identify obstacles to improved rail service on Shore
Line East, including, but not limited to, increased frequency of service, reverse commute
service and weekend service. The commissioner shall report his findings and recommendations to the General Assembly not later than January 1, 2007.
(e) The commissioner shall ensure that the state's transportation plans, including,
but not limited to, the master transportation plan, are consistent with the strategy adopted
pursuant to section 13b-57g.
(f) The rail station and parking initiative identified in subsection (a) of this section
shall include at least four Shore Line East stations east of New Haven.
(g) The commissioner is authorized to enter into grant and cost-sharing agreements
with local governments, transit districts, regional planning agencies and councils of
governments in connection with the implementation of projects funded pursuant to subsections (a) and (c) of this section.
(h) If, within two years of July 1, 2006, the Department of Transportation is unable
to implement the intermodal connection between port and rail facilities at the port of
New Haven pursuant to subdivision (13) of subsection (a) of this section, the commissioner shall submit a report, pursuant to section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees
of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and
finance, revenue and bonding. Such report shall describe (1) the reasons the connection
cannot be completed, and (2) alternative ways to facilitate intermodal shipping at the
port.
(P.A. 06-136, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-7, S. 61-63, 88; P.A. 08-101, S. 14; 08-155, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 06-136 effective July 1, 2006; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-7 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing "between New
Haven and Milford" with "in West Haven" in Subdiv. (4), adding provision re weigh-in motion and electronic preclearance
of safe truck operators in Subdiv. (11), and adding Subdivs. (14) to (21) re additional projects and initiatives, and amended
Subsec. (b) by adding provisions re first phase of study examining construction of Route 2A bypass in Subdiv. (1) and
adding Subdiv. (7) re completion of Day Hill Corridor environmental assessment study, effective November 2, 2007;
P.A. 08-101 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (22) re improving bicycle and pedestrian access throughout state
transportation system; P.A. 08-155 amended Subsec. (a)(19)(B) to replace "and install clean diesel bus retrofits" with
"vehicles for the Buses for 21st Century Mobility program", effective June 12, 2008.