Connecticut Candidates on the Issues - Dan Malloy (D)
1. Former ConnDOT Commissioner Joseph Marie embraced a transportation policy that prioritizes existing road and bridge maintenance over construction of new highways. TSTC supports this approach, called fix-it-first, because it focuses transportation dollars on our existing road and bridge assets, stops the endless cycle of highway construction followed by sprawling development patterns which is the driving force behind congestion in our region, improves our road and bridge conditions, and offers more transportation choices. Do you support a fix it first policy that prioritizes maintenance and repair of existing highways and bridges over construction of new highways?
Yes.
2. Poor land use decisions often cause, or increase, transportation problems throughout Connecticut. Pursuing development further and further away from downtowns and main streets foster our reliance on the automobile and limit other transportation choice for Connecticut’s residents. What measures would you propose to mitigate transportation problems caused by poor land use decisions?
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.
3. Public transportation service is an integral component of Connecticut’s economic strength and environmental well being. Since 2005, ridership on Metro-North Rail Road and Shore Line East has increased by 11% and 45%, respectively. Ridership on bus service throughout the state is up 15% over the same time period. Given these trends, what would you do to increase existing public transportation capacity in Connecticut?
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.
4. Increasing capacity on existing transit service is only one way to support transit. Another is expanding transit service to underserved areas. Two ways Connecticut is currently looking to expand transit service is through implementation of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail project and the New Britain-Hartford Bus Rapid Transit project, both projects that Tri-State Transportation Campaign supports. If elected, what measures would you take to expand transit service to underserved areas of Connecticut?
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.
5. Resources for transportation systems are extremely limited at the local, state and federal levels. Connecticut’s Statewide Transportation Fund is set to run a deficit by 2011. What would you do to make the Transportation Fund solvent and ensure sustainable transportation funding for Connecticut’s transportation needs?
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.
6. According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, which is maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 107 pedestrians and 15 cyclists were killed in traffic crashes in Connecticut from 2006-2008. According to the League of American Bicyclists, Connecticut is the 40 th ranked bicycle friendly state in the country, faring particularly poorly in the organizations’ infrastructure availability and enforcement categories. Connecticut has made strides to improve safety for all users of Connecticut’s roads through the passage of the Complete Streets bill of 2009 which mandates the incorporation of pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure whenever a road is reconstructed, built or repaired. However much remains to be done. What measures would you propose to reduce these fatalities and injuries and encourage bicycling and walking as viable transportation options in the state?
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.
7. Please provide a brief overview of what your transportation priorities will be if elected Governor.
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.
8. Finally, please tell us whether you support or oppose the following transportation related policies or legislation (Candidates were given the options Strongly Support, Support, Oppose, Strongly Oppose, and Don't Know):
Vulnerable User Legislation
This bill would help protect pedestrians, cyclists, first responders outside of their vehicles, equestrians and other non-motorized users of the State’s roadways by enhancing penalties for careless driving. Currently, punishment is rarely applied unless alcohol, drugs or a hit and run is involved, and this legislation would enact new penalties for careless drivers when they injure or kill a vulnerable user. If elected, would you support this legislation?
[Did not respond.]
Some form of congestion pricing or tolling on Connecticut’s roadways
Connecticut’s Special Transportation Fund is set to run a deficit in 2011 and congestion causes untold pollution and nearly $700 million in economic losses to the state. As Governor, would you support some form of tolling or congestion pricing as a way to mitigate congestion and generate revenue for the state’s transportation coffers?
[Did not respond.]
Greater funding for pedestrian, bicycling and transit access infrastructure projects
From 2006-2008, 122 pedestrians and cyclists were killed on Connecticut’s roadways. Of the pedestrian fatalities in Connecticut, nearly 66% of fatalities occurred within a quarter mile of a bus line and a half a mile of a rail station. Seniors are disproportionately impacted, accounting for over 40% of pedestrian fatalities while only comprising 17% of Connecticut’s total population. If elected, would you support the establishment of a Safe Routes to Transit and a Safe Routes for Seniors program?
[Did not respond.]
Red light camera enforcement
Red light cameras are active in over 100 communities and 17 states. Connecticut has considered implementing red light cameras for several years. Studies throughout the United States have shown reductions in crashes upon implementation of red light cameras, yet the Connecticut General Assembly has yet to enact a similar program. If elected, would you support the establishment of a red light camera pilot program?
[Did not respond.]
| 