When asked to name the most important problem facing Connecticut, 10% said lack of quality mass transit, traffic, and poor road and highway infrastructure, putting transportation close behind traditional top concerns like taxes, education, and the economy. According to the Stamford Advocate, this is the first time that transportation has polled as such a major concern.

When asked about transportation directly, 62% overall said that traffic in their communities is a very or somewhat serious problem, while 90% said traffic on Connecticut's highways is a very or somewhat serious problem. Analyzed separately, 78% of Fairfield County participants said traffic was a serious problem in their communities and 94% said highway traffic is a serious problem. Thirty-nine percent of all respondents said they are stuck in traffic jams several times a week. Fifty-seven percent of Fairfield County residents said they experience jams several times weekly, 23% every day.

For many, desperation to reduce congestion overruled tax complaints. 42% of all respondents said they would be willing to pay more in taxes to reduce traffic. In Fairfield County, 49% said they would pay more.

CT House Speaker Moira Lyons told the Advocate she was heartened that residents expressed willingness to invest in transportation. Last month, she told Fairfield County business leaders that attacking congestion would likely require additional state funds and that she was concerned about public reaction (MTR #305).