State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Connecticut > Title13b > Chap243 > Sec13b-79p

      Sec. 13b-79p. Duties of Commissioner of Transportation re strategic transportation projects and initiatives, transportation improvement projects and state transportation plans. (a) The Commissioner of Transportation shall implement the following strategic transportation projects and initiatives:

      (1) Restoring commuter rail service on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line, including providing shuttle bus service between the rail line and Bradley International Airport;

      (2) Implementing the New Britain-Hartford busway, subject to the availability of federal funds;

      (3) Rehabilitating rail passenger coaches for use on Shore Line East, the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line and the branch lines;

      (4) Developing a new commuter rail station in West Haven;

      (5) Meeting the costs of capital improvements on the branch lines, not to exceed forty-five million dollars;

      (6) Meeting the capital costs of parking and rail station improvements on the New Haven Line, Shore Line East and the branch lines, not to exceed sixty million dollars;

      (7) Funding the local share of the Southeast Area Transit federal pilot project;

      (8) Completing the Norwich Intermodal Transit Hub Roadway improvements;

      (9) Conducting environmental planning and assessment for the expansion of Interstate 95 between Branford and the Rhode Island border;

      (10) Completing preliminary design and engineering for Interstate 84 widening between Waterbury and Danbury;

      (11) Funding the Commercial Vehicle Information System Network, including weigh-in motion and electronic preclearance of safe truck operators for fixed scale operations on Interstate 91 and Interstate 95, not to exceed four million dollars;

      (12) Funding the capital costs of the greater Hartford highway infrastructure improvements in support of economic development;

      (13) Completing a rail link to the port of New Haven;

      (14) Purchasing not more than thirty-eight electric rail cars for use on the New Haven Line and Shore Line East commuter rail services;

      (15) Purchasing of equipment and facilities to support Shore Line East commuter rail expansion, including implementation of phases I and II, as recommended in the report submitted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section;

      (16) Improving bicycle access to and storage facilities at transportation centers;

      (17) Developing a new commuter rail station in Orange;

      (18) Funding the Waterbury Intermodal Transportation Center, not to exceed eighteen million dollars;

      (19) Improving bus connectivity and service, not to exceed twenty million dollars for capital costs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. The funds shall be used to (A) construct bus maintenance and storage facilities for the Windham and Torrington regional transit districts, not to exceed fourteen million dollars, (B) purchase vehicles for the Buses for 21st Century Mobility program, not to exceed five million dollars, and (C) purchase vehicles for elderly and disabled demand responsive transportation programs for use by municipalities that participate in the state matching grant program established under section 13b-38bb, not to exceed one million dollars;

      (20) Funding the state share of Tweed Airport's runway safety area, not to exceed one million fifty-five thousand dollars;

      (21) Evaluating the purchase of rolling stock for direct commuter rail service connecting Connecticut to New Jersey via Pennsylvania Station in New York, New York by the initiation of ongoing formal discussions by the state of Connecticut, acting through the Governor or the Governor's designee, with the states of New York and New Jersey and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Amtrak regarding the extension of rail service from Pennsylvania Station to points in this state; and

      (22) Improving bicycle and pedestrian access throughout the state transportation system.

      (b) The commissioner shall evaluate and plan the implementation of the following projects:

      (1) Improving Routes 2 and 2A in the towns of Preston, North Stonington and Montville, including conducting the first phase of a study examining construction of a Route 2A bypass alternative that would begin in Preston, proceed in a northerly direction toward downtown Norwich, and end at Route 2 in Preston. The first phase of the study shall include, but need not be limited to, an analysis of the feasibility, local economic impact and cost of constructing that portion of the bypass alternative that would pass through the Hinkley Hill area of Norwich. The first phase of the study shall be conducted by an independent entity pursuant to a contract with the Department of Transportation, the value of which shall not exceed three hundred thousand dollars. The results of the first phase of the study shall be submitted not later than September 30, 2008, to said department and the joint standing committee having cognizance of matters relating to transportation;

      (2) Upgrading the Pequot Bridge in Montville;

      (3) Evaluating rail links to other ports;

      (4) Supporting and encouraging the dredging of the state's commercial ports;

      (5) Developing a second rail passenger station between New Haven and Milford;

      (6) Expanding Route 9; and

      (7) Completing the Day Hill Corridor environmental assessment study, not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars.

      (c) The commissioner shall, in consultation with the board, recommend the implementation of additional transportation improvement projects. Upon the approval of the Governor and allocation by the State Bond Commission, the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to section 13b-79q may be used to support such projects.

      (d) The commissioner shall identify obstacles to improved rail service on Shore Line East, including, but not limited to, increased frequency of service, reverse commute service and weekend service. The commissioner shall report his findings and recommendations to the General Assembly not later than January 1, 2007.

      (e) The commissioner shall ensure that the state's transportation plans, including, but not limited to, the master transportation plan, are consistent with the strategy adopted pursuant to section 13b-57g.

      (f) The rail station and parking initiative identified in subsection (a) of this section shall include at least four Shore Line East stations east of New Haven.

      (g) The commissioner is authorized to enter into grant and cost-sharing agreements with local governments, transit districts, regional planning agencies and councils of governments in connection with the implementation of projects funded pursuant to subsections (a) and (c) of this section.

      (h) If, within two years of July 1, 2006, the Department of Transportation is unable to implement the intermodal connection between port and rail facilities at the port of New Haven pursuant to subdivision (13) of subsection (a) of this section, the commissioner shall submit a report, pursuant to section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and finance, revenue and bonding. Such report shall describe (1) the reasons the connection cannot be completed, and (2) alternative ways to facilitate intermodal shipping at the port.

      (P.A. 06-136, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-7, S. 61-63, 88; P.A. 08-101, S. 14; 08-155, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 06-136 effective July 1, 2006; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-7 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing "between New Haven and Milford" with "in West Haven" in Subdiv. (4), adding provision re weigh-in motion and electronic preclearance of safe truck operators in Subdiv. (11), and adding Subdivs. (14) to (21) re additional projects and initiatives, and amended Subsec. (b) by adding provisions re first phase of study examining construction of Route 2A bypass in Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (7) re completion of Day Hill Corridor environmental assessment study, effective November 2, 2007; P.A. 08-101 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (22) re improving bicycle and pedestrian access throughout state transportation system; P.A. 08-155 amended Subsec. (a)(19)(B) to replace "and install clean diesel bus retrofits" with "vehicles for the Buses for 21st Century Mobility program", effective June 12, 2008.