Monday, September 19, 2022

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

Modern roundabouts significantly reduce crashes and injuries ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Web Version    
DOT Seal
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. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Web Version    
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.