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LWVCT TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES, 2007
Members of the
League of Women Voters of Connecticut adopted transportation as one of the
legislative priorities for the 2007 legislative session. On behalf of the 2,500
state-wide members and supporters of the League, we are pleased to submit our
transportation and transportation-funding priorities for this session.
The League
continues to believe that the principal goal of any transportation policy must
be the reduction of all vehicular traffic on Connecticut’s roads. We thank the
Governor and the legislative leadership for recognizing the need to overhaul
transportation by voting significant funding for improvements designed to make a
start towards this goal. But, more needs to be done.
League members
support and will advocate for the following initiatives:
Expanded
schedules, capacity and incentives for intra-state mass transit users.
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To make mass transit more
attractive to current and potential users, we need to increase the frequency
of service on existing bus and railroad lines. This includes expanded
commuter rail service on the Metro-North line, the Shoreline east of New
Haven, the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield and the New London-Worcester
lines. Additional and improved parking facilities will attract users.
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Increased bus and/or shuttle
service within and between communities to improve access for employees to
job centers. When planning for the bus/shuttle service, bus shelters for
passengers and clear information as to the schedule need to be made
available.
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Incentives for employers and
employees to encourage the use of public transportation and flexible hours
of employment.
Expanded freight
traffic on existing rail lines, shipping of cargo via barges and incentives for
users.
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Maximize the use of existing
rails for freight by improving scheduling, eliminating surcharges, and
improving access for shippers at origin and terminal points.
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Continue efforts to build a
tunnel under the Hudson to provide a direct link for freight between points
south and New England.
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Continue coordination with the
NY-NJ Port Authority to obtain terminal space to allow cargo to move on
water directly from New Jersey to Bridgeport’s terminal facility.
Giving priority
to maintenance of existing highways and bridges instead of new construction.
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DOT should conduct a survey of
highways and bridges to determine the extent of maintenance needs statewide
and create a prioritized multi-year plan to carry out the work.
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Prioritize efforts to find
solution to eliminate specific congestion points along the major highways
and propose solutions such a flexible use of highway lanes, congestion
pricing and, as a last resort, expansion of on and off ramps.
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Upgrade existing highways
instead of building new superhighways.
Expand efforts
to promote safety on Connecticut’s highways.
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Develop a highway safety
program that includes measures such as increased surveillance and
enforcement, including the expanded weigh stations hours.
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Expand the public education
program targeting all types of drivers to promote safer driving.
LWVCT looks forward
to working with the legislature on these important issues.
Jara N.
Burnett Cheryl Dunson
President
Vice-President, Public Issues
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