Foley: As Governor, my first step to address our state’s transportation needs will be to review all the proposed or partially completed transportation projects in every part of our state, and clearly articulate a strategy, plan, and funding priorities.

Transportation infrastructure is a critical component to achieving job growth. A long term transportation plan must take into account the needs of employers. I believe that we have invested too little in our transportation infrastructure, and even worse, the state does not make decisions based on a long-term transportation plan.

Foley: My administration will work closely with towns and communities to develop infrastructure plans that make sense. Local control is one of the hallmarks of Connecticut government and the neighbors of potential infrastructure development should certainly have their say before permitting is allowed.

If elected governor, I will work with state, local, and federal officials to make sure local regulations are not ignored. It's also important to point out that Connecticut needs to have a working transportation infrastructure, for a variety of reasons, including business development. What has long been missing is a thoughtful transportation plan for the state that has the backing of the administration and the legislature.

Malloy: It’s critical that we employ transit oriented development solutions, as I did as Mayor of Stamford. We built housing, attracted businesses, created jobs in the city center – all near train and bus service. This revitalized the city center and brought commerce to the area, which in turn, made it more attractive to other business. We also have to get a handle on congestion; it has a negative impact on our economy and our ability to do business. Getting people out of their cars and onto public transportation means we reduce gridlock, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and clean up our environment.

Foley: I believe that the right approach to resolving our state’s transportation needs is a comprehensive outlook. Not one method or mode of transportation is the answer, but a combination of well-maintained roads and public transportation that is accessible and reliable.

Malloy: We have to make transit safe, affordable and efficient. During the time I was Mayor of Stamford, train ridership increased 200%. It’s a trend we want to see statewide, but the infrastructure has to be able to accommodate riders. Route expansion and frequency will attract riders, but this means we have to be aggressive about going after federal dollars and leveraging state dollars to expand our public transportation offerings. It also means we can’t use a one-size-fits-all solution. In some cases, rail is the best option, in other cases, buses – but we have to link transit so that it is a seamless connection between transit hubs, retail, housing, and employment centers. In Boston, the Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit System brings riders to the airport from the metro. In Connecticut, we don’t have that connecting service. This is one example of where we know we could link hubs to provide service.

Foley: Our state has been suffering from a lack of coherent planning. Before any decisions about specific projects are made, I will review all the proposed transportation projects in every part of our state, and clearly articulate a strategy, plan, and funding priorities. I agree that some areas of our state are under served, and if a proposed plan to expand transit service to those areas makes sense, we will be sure to support that project to completion.

Malloy: There is no silver bullet to expansion. We have to look at local and regional solutions to our transportation problems. Encouraging people to get out of their cars by providing an alternative to driving is the first step. Regionally, we need to look at high-speed rail and improving our existing rail infrastructure.

But linking transportation to riders and destinations is also crucial. Finding ways to provide service means finding ways to fund service. Connecticut lost out on multiple rounds of federal funding for transportation projects recently, and is finally in line to receive 80% of the funding for the New Britain to Hartford Busway project from the feds. As Governor, I’ll fight for every federal dollar.

These improvements will also have the added benefit up putting people to work building these projects, getting cars off the roads, and showing Congress that the state is serious about moving forward on transportation.

Foley: Unlike some of my opponents, I do not believe tolls are the answer. We do not have a revenue problem in our state, we have a spending problem.

Our state already has a plan to make the Transportation Fund solvent, but we have a lack of leadership in our state to stop the Transportation Fund from being raided by the legislature to pay for General Fund spending. As Governor, I will stop this practice and return the gas tax revenue to the Transportation Fund as it was intended to fund our transportation needs and maintain existing roads and bridges. Although I will not rely on federal funds for our state’s needs, I will be aggressive on behalf of our state and work with our Congressional delegation to get whatever federal money we can for Connecticut.

Malloy: When it comes to balancing our budget and improving our transportation infrastructure, everything needs to be on the table. When it comes to tolls, I would only consider supporting a system where every dollar in revenue from the tolls go directly to investments in our infrastructure, and not swept into the general fund. In addition, we’d want to look at high-speed tolling technology like our neighboring states, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, to reduce the impact on traffic.

Foley: The safety of all our citizens is important, and I believe education can help improve awareness for everyone sharing the roads.

Malloy: During my tenure as Mayor of Stamford, we undertook a massive revitalization effort of our downtown – a large part of which involved making our streets and sidewalks safer for pedestrians and cyclist traffic. We also invested in new transportation projects – such as the Stamford Urban Transitway – that alleviated traffic in dangerous areas and worked to reduce the total number of cars on the road. I’ll take those experiences with me to the Governor’s office and work with local town leadership to affect similar change.

At the federal level, the Obama administration has allotted more than a billion of the federal Transportation budget to cycling and walking initiatives – a number of towns in Connecticut have already benefited from that funding through programs like Safe Routes to School. As in other areas, my administration will work with local municipalities to educate them about funds that are available, and to support their efforts in qualifying.

Foley: As Governor, my transportation priority will be to develop a strategy, plan, and funding priorities. We have a critical need to invest properly in our transportation infrastructure to help grow jobs in this state.

Malloy: Sprawling development throughout Connecticut has resulted in more congestion - something I witness first hand everyday as I cross the state meeting with the people of Connecticut. Highway congestion, especially in New Haven and Fairfield counties and parts of the I-84 corridor, restrains economic activity – costing us jobs, increasing pollution, and diminishing our quality of life. High usage areas also require more consistent repair, which in itself causes congestion. As Governor, I will be committed to pursuing strategies that reduce congestion and that provide attractive mass transportation options.

In Stamford, I did just that. Commuter rail service in Stamford grew 200% under my leadership. We completed major improvements, including the addition of 1,100 parking spaces, to our train station, the second busiest stop on the Metro-North Line after Grand Central Station. And, toward the end of my tenure, we secured millions of federal dollars for the 1-mile Stamford Urban Transitway, which will vastly improve access to rail service, including access to high-speed rail.

Connecticut needs a Governor with this kind of commitment to transportation.

Foley: I am willing to look at where this legislation is in the process and discuss it with the legislature, the Department of Transportation, and appropriate enforcement officials representing those who will be on the front lines of implementing the policy.

Malloy: [Did not respond.]

Foley: Strongly Oppose. I am against tolls. In Connecticut, we already tax our citizens too much.

I believe state government has a responsibility to maintain essential public assets such as roads, but I believe this can be done without the use of tolls on our highways. As Governor, I will immediately move to eliminate loopholes that allow funds intended for investing in our transportation infrastructure to be used by the legislature for other spending. I am also committed to reducing the cost and size of state government, which means the budget will be focused on using the revenues we get more effectively by spending more responsibly.

Malloy: [Did not respond.]

Foley: I do not know the answer to this question, but I would like to get more information and decide if an initiative like this makes sense for the people of Connecticut. I would like to learn about the experiences of other states and decide if it is relevant for our state. My overriding concern is how projects like this be funded when the state is facing a $3 billion budget deficit and towns are struggling as well?

Malloy: [Did not respond.]

Foley: At this time, I am not sure if red light cameras are the right choice for Connecticut. I would not be in favor of a program with the intention of raising revenue for the state. I would consider such a program if there was no cost to the state or towns, and if it were part of a larger solution to reduce crashes in our state. Our state Department of Transportation should consider the lessons learned from others states on the feasibility of the program and then make a recommendation if it makes sense for Connecticut.

Malloy: [Did not respond.]