Friday, December 20, 2024

CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto Announces James Fallon as the Agency's Next Chief Engineer

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Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto Announces James Fallon as the next CTDOT Chief Engineer and Bureau Chief of Engineering and Construction

Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today announced James (Jim) Fallon will be next CTDOT Chief Engineer and Bureau Chief of Engineering and Construction. Fallon, who first began his career at the CTDOT in 1994, currently serves as the agency's Assistant Chief Engineer. He will assume his new role on February 1, 2025.

Fallon will be responsible for overseeing billions of dollars of capital projects throughout the state, with investments and improvements planned for roads and bridges, transit stations, bicyclist and pedestrian facilities through a Complete Streets Design Directive, and more. He will oversee a Bureau of nearly 1,200 employees.

"Throughout his career, Jim has dedicated himself to the CTDOT in service to the people of Connecticut. As we continue delivering historic investments throughout our state, Jim's leadership and experience will help us improve safety and mobility for everyone," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. "Jim's knowledge and vision will be critical as we continue transforming the state's infrastructure for future generations."

"I am honored to have the trust of Commissioner Eucalitto to lead the Bureau of Engineering and Construction into the future. Connecticut is counting on us to deliver and I do not take that responsibility lightly," said Fallon. "Our priorities and initiatives are not just focused on moving vehicles across our roadways, but also are ensuring bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and all who use our infrastructure can do so safely and easily. I look forward to continuing delivering projects that make a difference in communities throughout the state."

Fallon will succeed CTDOT Chief Engineer Scott Hill, who is retiring on February 1, 2025, after more than 37 years of service to the state of Connecticut.

Fallon began his career with the CTDOT in 1994 within the divisions of Traffic Engineering and Highway Operations. Later, he worked in the Office of Finance, planning CTDOT capital projects. He then managed a newly created Office of Quality of Assurance, ensuring technical audits and process reviews were completed and met agency goals and objectives. Fallon continued his career within the divisions of Design Services, Facilities and Transit, and Highway Design, overseeing and managing muti-faceted multimodal projects throughout the state. In 2020, he was promoted to Assistant Chief Engineer, overseeing more than $2 billion in annual capital construction projects.

Fallon is a member of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Council on Highway and Streets, and graduated from the AASHTO Executive Institute and the AASHTO Management Institute. Additionally, Fallon serves on the University of Connecticut Civil and Environmental Engineering Advisory board, and has previously been a member of various Transportation Research Board committees as well as the Merritt Parkway Advisory Committee.

Fallon, a resident of Berlin, received his Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University, his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut, and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut.

For more information about the Connecticut Department of Transportation, visit ct.gov/dot.


Friday, December 13, 2024

Connecticut Ranked 13th Most Bike Friendly State in the Country

🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
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CTDOT Announces the League of American Bicyclists Ranks Connecticut One of the Most Bike Friendly States in The Country

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced that the League of American Bicyclists has ranked the state of Connecticut one of the most bike friendly states in the country based on the results of its 2024 Bicycle Friendly State Report Card. The biennial report card released by the nonprofit organization ranks all 50 states on a number of criteria, and Connecticut improved seven spots from the previous report released in 2022. In 2010, Connecticut was ranked 40th.

Read the full 2024 Connecticut Report Card here.

"I am incredibly proud of the progress the CTDOT and municipalities across Connecticut are making to improve safety and mobility for bicyclists. Through investments and programs, we're making it easier and safer for people to use active transportation," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. "There is still more to do to ensure there are more bike lanes, paved trails, and bike-friendly accommodations across our state. I look forward to continuing this important work at CTDOT and with our partners throughout Connecticut."

Since the 2022 Report Card, the CTDOT has made several new investments that are helping improve bicyclist safety in the state.

  • The Safe Routes to School Program was restarted in January 2023 bringing bicycle & pedestrian safety education, encouragement, and community coordination to schools across Connecticut.
  • A Complete Streets Design Directive was signed in August 2023, creating a strong implementation structure behind the existing CTDOT Complete Streets policy, and ensuring all future projects include bicycle-friendly designs.
  • An Active Transportation Unit was created in December 2023 to improve bicycle and pedestrian outcomes through all CTDOT programs.
  • An Active Transportation Microgrant program was launched in March 2024 and has been successful in empowering communities to take local action to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.

To read the full report card, and for more information about the League of American Bicyclists, visit BikeLeague.org.

For more information about how the Connecticut Department of Transportation encourages, promotes, and improves walking, bicycling, and other forms of active transportation, visit ct.gov/dot.


Friday, December 6, 2024

CTDOT Announces Statewide Plan to Expand Truck Parking

Project will expand truck parking by 44% around Connecticut. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
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CTDOT Announces Statewide Plan to Expand Truck Parking

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced it launched a $31 million statewide project aimed at expanding truck parking facilities at five key locations across the state. This project addresses a longstanding challenge within the trucking industry: the need for more truck parking spaces to support drivers' safety and operational efficiency.

The first phase of the project is underway at the Middletown rest area on Interstate 91 northbound. The project will add 11 new truck parking spaces, increasing capacity at this location by more than 40%.

By the end of the decade, CTDOT plans to add more than 180 new truck parking spaces in Middletown, Madison, Southington, Southbury, and Vernon.

Connecticut currently has approximately 420 truck parking spaces at public service plazas and rest areas. This expansion project will increase the state's public truck parking capacity to about 600 spaces, an increase of 44%.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard truckers loud and clear when they called for more places to safely park along state highways," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. "We are excited to begin these projects to improve safety for the trucking community, who keep our economy moving."

"The Motor Transport Association of CT wholeheartedly applauds Commissioner Eucalitto and the Connecticut Department of Transportation for addressing the truck parking shortage issue head on," said Motor Transport Association of CT (MTAC) President John Blair. "The truck parking shortage has plagued the trucking industry for decades, and the consequences of insufficient capacity are as wide ranging as they are severe. The scarcity of truck parking spaces across the country decreases safety for all highway users, exacerbates the industry longstanding workforce challenges, diminishes trucking productivity, and results in unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. The effort here in Connecticut will undoubtedly make our roads safer."

"In Connecticut and nationally, truck parking shortages are a major safety concern," said John McAvoy, division administrator for the Federal Highway Administration's Connecticut Division. "With the projected growth in e-commerce and truck traffic, the demand for truck parking will continue to outpace the supply of public and private parking facilities and will only increase the truck parking problems experienced in Connecticut. It is essential that commercial truck drivers have access to safe, secure and accessible truck parking."

Connecticut's freight transportation system is a critical component of the local, state, regional, and national economy, supporting more than 451,000 jobs and producing $50.5 billion annually in gross regional product.

The statewide truck parking expansion project will be completed in phases over the next several years, significantly improving the availability of safe and secure parking for truck drivers throughout Connecticut.

These projects are fully covered by state funds thanks to the continued support of Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut's state legislature.