House Republican Press Release

March 15, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Scribner Lauds Transportation Initiative

Brookfield Legislator Cites Governor’s Leadership; Bipartisan Support as Vital

HARTFORD- State Representative David Scribner (R-Brookfield) today applauded a comprehensive transportation initiative which was favorably voted out of the legislature’s Transportation Committee.  Scribner, who is Ranking Member on the Transportation Committee, noted that this package of improvements will address a number of long-term concerns for Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure.

The legislation requires the state to initiate many aspects of Connecticut’s Transportation Strategy Board’s plan within the next ten years, and authorizes $1 billion in funding for these projects over the next ten years at $100 million per year. 

“This package is the spearhead of a tremendous effort by the legislature and the Governor to address the critical concerns about the state’s transportation infrastructure,” said Representative Scribner.  “This is a unified, bipartisan effort between legislative Republicans and Democrats, in concert with the efforts and leadership of Governor Rell.  We all know that Connecticut’s economic recovery is in many ways at the mercy of our transportation capabilities.  When we invest in that infrastructure, we are making a serious investment in our economy and jobs in the state.”

Aspects of the bill by region include:

Coastal Corridor

• Add no fewer than 2,000 seats to Metro-North
• Construct or expand train stations at Bridgeport, New Haven and Stamford that can accommodate rail and one other mode of transportation with additional economic development requirements
• Increase use of Long Island Sound Waterway for passenger and freight movement

I-84 Corridor

• Create bus service from New Haven to Bradley Airport
• Create and complete New Britain to Hartford busway
• Expand rail service on Norwalk to Danbury Branch of Metro-North

I-91 Corridor

• Construct facilities to upgrade feeder bus services for passenger rail services
• Create bus or commuter rail service from New Haven to Hartford to Springfield, with a stop at Bradley International Airport

I-395 Corridor

• Create freight rail service connected to port of New London
• Acquire 200 seats for bus service in Norwich and New London
• Design and plan extension of Route 11 with greenway

Southeast Corridor

• Add no fewer than 1,000 seats to Shoreline East Railroad line

It also includes a creation of an Undersecretary of Transit and Growth with in the Office of Policy and Management and makes this position responsible for the completion of the required projects.

Scribner noted that concerns over the means of funding the initiative were raised in the Transportation Committee deliberations; however, those issues are outside the consideration of the committee, and will be addressed in the legislature’s Finance Committee, of which Representative Scribner is also a member.

The 2006 regular session of the Connecticut General Assembly will adjourn at midnight, May 3^rd.