Thursday, November 3, 2022

CTDOT Publishes Five-Year Capital Plan Outlining Federal Infrastructure Law Implementation

Public invited to attend virtual public information session on November 16 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
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Connecticut
Department of Transportation

CTDOT Publishes Five-Year Capital Plan Outlining Federal Infrastructure Law Implementation

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has finalized and published its five-year Capital Plan, after receiving and incorporating public input in February 2022.

The report, covering fiscal years 2022–2026,outlines developments, guidance, and implementation efforts for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), passed and signed into law in November 2021. This historic federal investment and ongoing robust state-funded programs will move Connecticut forward in reducing transportation emissions and accelerating investments in a cleaner, more equitable and resilient transportation system.

CTDOT invites the public to attend a virtual public information session on Wednesday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m. for a presentation of the current five-year Capital Plan, and to provide input and feedback on the future Capital Plan for fiscal years 2023-2027. Register and submit questions for the session here. Individuals can also provide public comments here. The session will also be recorded and posted at ct.gov/ctdotvpimarchive.

Explore the new Interactive Map with Active Project Information, and access the Capital Plan Project List here.

"The federal infrastructure law is here in Connecticut at a critical yet exciting time," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti. "Despite ongoing pandemic challenges, the CTDOT is forging ahead to accelerate much-needed repairs to our infrastructure while increasing safety and accessibility for all users of our interconnected transportation systems in the state. In five years, Connecticut's upgraded transportation infrastructure will be safer, more resilient, and better connected across communities."

The IIJA provides Connecticut with approximately $5.38 billion in federal transportation funding over five years—an increase of $1.6 billion over the previous federal transportation funding authorization. High levels of inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions will pose challenges in effectively delivering projects in a timely manner.

Connecticut expects to receive approximately $4.1 billion over five years in federal formula funding for highways and bridges and $1.3 billion for public transit. The federal infrastructure law created several new formula programs, such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program to deploy electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations along the interstate network.

Through the new federal Bridge Investment Program, funding to repair or replace municipally owned bridges will be covered 100 percent for all phases, from design to construction. Municipalities remain involved in the process in partnership with CTDOT, realizing accelerated project timelines to bring bridges back to states of good repair more quickly. 

Safety improvements and initiatives for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists remain a top priority for CTDOT. Wrong-way driving occurrences on Connecticut's highways have significantly increased, often with tragic consequences. CTDOT received $20 million in state bond funding to address this dangerous trend by installing wrong-way detection systems at ten pilot locations throughout the state.

CTDOT is also planning over 1,300 pedestrian and traffic signal upgrades, anticipating approximately $38 million for projects to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes through Highway Safety Improvement Program funds.

Additional new formula funding programs are Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT); and Carbon Reduction. CTDOT is taking a phased approach for the short-term (FY22-FY23) while planning for the longer term (FY24-26) as additional guidance from federal partners is released.

The infrastructure law makes more than $100 billion in competitive federal transportation grants available for Connecticut to pursue. New grant opportunities available to Connecticut include Safe Streets and Roads for All, Reconnecting Communities, Rural Surface Transportation, and culvert repair and replacement (see a complete list of discretionary grant programs here: Capital Plan on page 5).

CTDOT is focused on several Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) studies—a process approach that considers environmental, community, and economic goals in the very early planning phase of a transportation program or project. CTDOT PEL studies currently underway include the Greater Hartford Mobility Study, New Mix Waterbury, I-95 Stamford, and I-95 Eastern Connecticut from Branford to Rhode Island. The public is encouraged to follow the studies' progress and participate in upcoming public information sessions.

The infrastructure law supports ongoing rail initiatives and the expansion of many others, such as Time for CT, to increase train speeds and improve travel times on the passenger rail system. Time for CT focuses on expanding the Hartford Line service with new stations in Windsor Locks and Enfield, purchasing and implementing all-electric rail cars throughout the state, and modernizing the Waterbury Branch Line by installing high-level platforms at each station.

The Bus Capital Program provides funding for vehicle purchases. It facilitates upgrade improvements and infrastructure to support fixed routes and paratransit services operated by transit districts in urban and rural areas around the state.

The final Capital Plan is planned to be released in January 2023.


Monday, September 19, 2022

CTDOT Celebrates National Roundabouts Week Promoting Driver Safety & Emissions Reduction Across Connecticut

Modern roundabouts significantly reduce crashes and injuries ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
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Connecticut
Department of Transportation

CTDOT Celebrates National Roundabouts Week Promoting Driver Safety & Emissions Reduction Across Connecticut

(Newington, CT) The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) joins transportation officials nationwide to recognize the critical role roundabouts play in improving safety and traffic conditions as part of National Roundabouts Week, recognized this year on September 19-23, 2022.

As one of the most effective ways to reduce intersection crashes and fatalities, roundabouts promote a continuous flow of traffic, reducing delays, congestion, and harmful emissions produced by vehicles idling and accelerating at intersections with stop signs and traffic signals.

A roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection where traffic flows counterclockwise around a center island. Different from rotaries and traffic circles, roundabouts operate at lower speeds, making them safer and simpler. By eliminating left turns at intersections, roundabouts remove the potential for head-on or broadside crashes.

"There are numerous benefits of the modern roundabout, and the most important benefit is safety," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti. "Roundabouts reduce vehicle speeds, significantly reducing crashes and injuries for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Travel time and idling are also reducedsafely getting people where they need to go with less motor vehicle emissions that harm the environment."

Connecticut has seen success with roundabouts in recent years. A study of five CTDOT constructed roundabouts found a significant 81 percent reduction in severe crashes and a 49 percent reduction in total crashes.

Currently, there are 15 roundabouts on state roadways, and 11 additional projects are in the planning phase.

The CTDOT Roundabout Committee is composed of experienced engineers to assist with the planning, design, and construction of roundabouts around the state and serve as a resource for local communities in Connecticut. The committee reviews roundabout concepts and advises on good design practices and consistency.

For more information and resources on Connecticut roundabouts, visit:

 

For details on National Roundabouts Week, visit fhwa.dot.gov


CTDOT Presents Draft State Rail Plan Update to General Assembly Transportation Committee at Public Hearing

CTDOT will present the Draft State Rail Plan Update at a public hearing with the joint Transportation Committee and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee on September 30. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
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DOT Seal
Connecticut
Department of Transportation

CTDOT Presents Draft State Rail Plan Update to General Assembly Transportation Committee at Public Hearing

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will present an overview of the Draft State Rail Plan Update at a public hearing with the joint Transportation Committee and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 2:30 p.m.

The public hearing will be held in-person and virtually at the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Conn. 06106, in Room 1E.

To attend virtually and give feedback during the public hearing, please register on Zoom (or copy this link into web browser: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SXemzcciSuiFi3JM89Fkxw).

The meeting will also be live streamed on YouTube and CT-N. CT-N, Zoom, and YouTube offer closed-captioning and non-English translation options.

The 2022-2026 Connecticut State Rail Plan is being developed in compliance with the federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 110-432. This plan will be submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation for review upon completion. Please visit the Connecticut State Rail Plan webpage to view the Draft State Rail Plan Update.

The State Rail Plan contains Connecticut's mission, vision, and values for rail transportation's role in an intermodal network. It provides an overview and inventory of the passenger and freight rail system and facilities in Connecticut, the services provided, and asset conditions and constraints. It aims to support Connecticut's role in developing an expanded, interconnected rail system with adjoining states and to advance high-speed, intercity, and freight investments in the region.

The State Rail Plan updates strategies and programs focused on ensuring that the existing passenger and freight rail infrastructure is maintained in a state of good repair, and includes short and long term investments aimed at maximizing the potential of current and future rail services. The State Rail Plan outlines programmed and proposed projects including costs and associated public benefits.

CTDOT has created the CT State Rail Plan Virtual Room providing information pertaining to the 2022-2026 Connecticut State Rail Plan and the opportunity to submit public comment. More information will be added to the virtual room on September 30, 2022. 

Individuals are encouraged to submit public comments during the public comment period, beginning September 16 and ending October 31.

Public comments and questions concerning the State Rail Plan should be sent to DOTPLANNING@ct.gov, or mailed to Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Strategic Planning and Projects, Attention: Rail Plan, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546.