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$2.3 Billion For Buses, Trains Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed a $2.3 billion transportation enhancement bill recently that includes $52 million for the New Britain-Hartford busway and $146 million for new rail service from New Haven to Hartford to Springfield. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_082606.asp

A Chance To Heal Hartford’s I-84 Scar The Aetna Viaduct has reached the end of its useful life. After more than 40 years of service, the elevated highway between Hartford's West End and downtown must either be torn down, renovated or redesigned. The best option is to redesign the highway to reduce its impact on the city without reducing its usefulness, by bringing it to ground level in some places and covering it in others. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 02, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_080209_1.asp

A Circulator Bus for Convention Center A downtown circulator bus is likely to be running for two of the convention center's busiest months this fall, an effort that could be a jump-start to a permanent bus service. The downtown Hartford circulator would be a free service and would hit the city's major cultural and hospitality sites. Under a tentative plan, the route would include stops at the Connecticut Convention Center, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the Civic Center, the Goodwin Hotel, the Holiday Inn Express, Union Station, the Church Street parking garage, the Hartford Hilton, the MAT Garage, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Morgan Street Garage, the Marriott Downtown and the convention center. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 3, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_080305.asp

A Free Ride Hartford's Star Shuttle has turned into a goodwill ambassador for the city. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: April 28, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_advocate_042809.asp

A Glitzy Expansion Plan For Bradley — That Might Never Be Needed Following a proud history of expansions at Bradley International Airport that began in 1971 with the opening of the airport's international building, the airport recently released a long-term plan to tear down the old Murphy Terminal and replace it with an ultra-modern terminal that will meet increasing demand for air travel. But, the growth estimates were out of date when the report came out July 2, 2012 and appear to be far too optimistic. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 23, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072312.asp

A Historic Sense Of Direction Scores of stone tablets inscribed with numerals and initials stand quiet sentinel along Connecticut's two-lane blacktops. Marking distances along roads that have served since Colonial days, many of these milestones are more than two centuries old. Some are obscured by brush and detritus, but many more — though rarely noticed — are clearly visible to thousands of motorists who pass them each day. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 11, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/history/htfd_courant_041110.asp

A Little Showtime Before Go Time Until recently, the only foreign cities regularly served nonstop from Bradley International Airport were in Canada. Bradley's first-ever daily trans-Atlantic flight, Northwest Flight 98 departed on July 1, 2007. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 2, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_070207.asp

A Plan For Mass Transit Mass transit advocates recently unveiled a $309 million plan aimed at comprehensively enhancing commuter bus service statewide over five years. Transit for Connecticut, a coalition of 20-plus business, social service, environmental and transportation organizations, said at a state Capitol news conference that a fairly modest state investment could boost bus ridership by 80 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 20, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_032007.asp

A Push To Re-Establish Waterbury-To-Hartford Rail Service Citing delays and high costs for key Hartford-region transit initiatives, two lawmakers are pushing harder to fast-track a different project: the re-establishment of commuter rail service to the city from Waterbury. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 20, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_012009.asp

A Road To Recovery: Let's Fast-Track Trams In this opinion piece, the author suggests that Connecticut should build trolley lines when it spends expected federal stimulus money. Modern trams would spur jobs in town centers and get cars off the roads. If we have the chance to bring back streetcars across the state, we should do so. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 14, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_121408_1.asp

A Ruinous Road In New Orleans Back in the 1960s, a vibrant, compact city built an elevated highway right through downtown, against the wishes of those in an adjacent African American neighborhood. The passage of time has exposed the disastrous flaws of this idea. Instead of bringing affluence, it brought blight. Now the expressway is nearing the end of its useful life, and a growing group of residents want to tear it down. This could of course be a summary of the citizen-led effort to remove the I-84 Aetna Viaduct in Hartford, but it is actually a very similar story, taking place as we speak in New Orleans. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 08, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_080810.asp

A Study Report for the Aetna Viaduct - Excerpts from the Final Version, Project 63-616 This document is the structural study for the first phase of the CT Department of Transportation reconstruction of the I-84 Viaduct. (PDF document, 11 pages) Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/Viaduct_report.pdf

A Surprise In Downtown Hartford: Let Us Pay For Your Parking Sean Crawford, a parking ambassador contracted by the Hartford Parking Authority, has been randomly selecting as many as 20 people a day this month and offering to pay for their on-street parking. Parking authority administrators said the program, Park On Us, is meant to increase traffic to businesses, encourage on-street parking and counteract negative perceptions of the parking ambassadors, who also hand out tickets for exceeding meter time or not paying for parking. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 08, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_030813.asp

A Sustainable City The most interesting ideas a recent One City, One Plan POCD meeting arose during the small group discussions. A theme throughout several of the group discussions was that of sustainable design, planning, zoning, and ordinances. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: December 09, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/smartgrowth/realhtfd_120909_1.asp

Access to Private Transportation in the U.S.: Data from the Making Connections Ten-Site Survey These fact sheets provide snapshots of individuals' access to private transportation in selected neighborhoods in Hartford: Asylum Hill, Clay Arsenal, Frog Hollow, Northeast, Sheldon Charter Oak, South Green and Upper Albany. Data include whether respondents have valid drivers' licenses and a reliable car, by both employment status and citizenship status. For comparison, statistics for each surrounding county are provided. The fact sheets are based on the Annie E. Casey Making Connections Cross-Site Survey. Published by Brookings Institution's Welfare Reform & Beyond ; Publication Date: February 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/Transportation_MC_Survey.pdf Related Link(s): The Annie E. Casey Foundation Making Connections Initiative HartfordInfo Data: Hartford Neighborhood Data

Advocates See Economic Opening For Rail Projects After decades of unquestioning allegiance to cars, trucks and highways, Connecticut must go back to its long-ignored railroads if it expects to prosper in this increasingly difficult new century, transit advocates said at a day-long conference recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 11, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_011109.asp

Aetna Gets Smart About Parking Aetna Inc. will begin charging its employees for parking in 2007. Beginning Jan. 1, parking fees will apply to all users of Aetna's garages and executive parking areas. Beginning in 2008, fees will also be charged to the users of surface parking lots, although those fees have not yet been established. This is a smart growth policy because it will encourage the use of other, less wasteful commuting options and allow the company to use less land for parked cars. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_122406_a.asp

Aetna Project A Bold Statement The shortage and expense of parking in downtown Hartford and surrounding areas has long made it difficult to attract and keep businesses in the city. But in Asylum Hill, a $27 million project now underway will bring nearly 1,150 parking spaces to the corporate campus of health insurer Aetna Inc. The nine-level parking garage now rising above Flower Street is a prelude to the transfer of about 4,000 workers from the insurer's Middletown campus by the end of 2010. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 24, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/EconomicDevelopment/htfd_courant_072407.asp

Aetna Viaduct: DOT Finally On Board Tom Condon applauds the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s decision to commission a report on how to redesign I-84, in particular the elevated stretch of the road known as the Aetna Viaduct, with the goal of creating a vital and mixed-use center city — similar to what was there before the highway was built. The report will look at the possibility of burying the highway, lowering and decking over it, or rerouting the interstate traffic and turning the highway into a boulevard. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_041308_2.asp

After 13 Years Of Planning Busway Looking Like 'Done Deal' After 13 years of consultants' studies, engineering reports, designs and redesigns, the busway is just about ready to roll. The federal government is poised to commit $275 million, nearly assuring that Connecticut can build the bus-only highway linking the downtowns of New Britain and Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 18, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_111811.asp

After Feds Put Connecticut Rail Plan On Slow Track, State Will Seek More Funds Now that other states have grabbed most of the federal stimulus money for high-speed rail systems, does Connecticut still have a chance of building a New Haven-to-Springfield line? Connecticut congressional leaders and policy planners say the vision of 110 mph trains running from Massachusetts to the shoreline is very much alive Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 31, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_013110.asp

After More Than 12 Years, Work Starts In Earnest On Busway It took three governors, more than a dozen years, and the pledge of better than $400 million in federal aid, but construction of the New Britain-to-Hartford busway officially began recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_052212_2.asp

Agenda 2013: Bringing Tourists, Commuters To Hartford If all goes well, 2013 in Hartford will be the year of the 'ville — as in Coltsville and Parkville. Dare to hope. Coltsville, the landmark 19th-century industrial village built by Col. Samuel Colt in the city's South Meadows, awaits National Historic Park designation. Parkville, one of the city's most stable and varied neighborhoods, invites transit-oriented development. The CTfastrak busway between Hartford and New Britain has a stop in the neighborhood. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 04, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_010413.asp

Agenda: Transit Nudged by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, the Connecticut DOT has begun to create a system of transportation that includes trains, planes, buses, trolleys and bikes as well as highways. That opens great possibilities for energy-saving mobility and wiser land use — if the state can find a way to pay for it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 28, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_122810.asp

Air Taxi, Anyone? Two Hartford businessmen want to fly you to your next weekend getaway. Arian Prevalla and Tony Cresswell of the Connecticut Flight Academy at Brainard Airport want you to think of their Piper Arrow 4-seater airplane as a taxi cab, ready to whisk you off to Block Island or New York in a flash. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: June 09, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_advocate_060909.asp

All Aboard: Cities Bringing Back Streetcars In an opinion piece, the author expresses the opinion that streetcars need to be reintroduced in Connecticut, and not just for nostalgia's sake or touristy window-dressing. An investment in transit helps create vibrant and fashionable places where young, educated people can afford to live, by reducing their need to pay for a car. Places like New Haven and Hartford should be thinking about them. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 26, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_082607.asp

All Hail To Rail, DOT Commissioner Says Rick Green writes about the new transportation commissioner, Joseph Marie, with a creative vision for the future. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 20, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_012009.asp

Alternatives to the Highway Through Hartford A consultant-led public workshop—the second of three in a series guided by Boston-based Goody Clancy—took place recently at the downtown Hartford public library. The focus: what to do about the highway through Hartford, specifically the section known as the viaduct. Published by Urban Compass ; Publication Date: March 26, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/ucompass_032610.asp

Amnesty Program Called A Success City officials are calling Hartford's first parking-ticket amnesty program a success. According to the Hartford Parking Authority, the month-long program, which allowed motorists with overdue parking tickets to pay their original fine and skip the penalties and fees, grossed more than $370,000. More than 5,500 people paid old tickets. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 10, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041011.asp

Amtrak Breakdown With Transit VIPs Aboard? Perfect U.S. Rep Bill Shuster, R-Pa., House chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, met with Amtrak's brass in New York recently, and then hopped on an Amtrak train for Hartford. Fellow Rep. John Larson and state Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker met the train in New Haven for a little chat time on the ride to Hartford. The car the congressmen were riding in leaked, and somewhere in the North Haven-Wallingford stretch, the trained stopped. The train had to be towed back to New Haven and the officials ended up driving to Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 12, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_061213.asp

Amtrak To Put $130 Million Into Work On Connecticut Bridges Amtrak will pump about 10 percent of its entire $1.3 billion stimulus aid into repairing or replacing bridges along the eastern Connecticut shoreline. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 27, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_032709_1.asp

An Urban Move: No Gas Required People move around, in, and out of Hartford all the time. Usually, these moves involve a borrowed pick-up or rented U-Haul. On Saturday morning, Tony Cherolis transported his possessions from East Hartford to his new home in the South Green neighborhood using his bicycle. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: February 04, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_020412.asp

Angel Arce To Be Back On The Housing Authority You might remember Angel Arce. He’s the man who’s father was hit in a brutal hit-and-run accident that was filmed and played endlessly on national television. He’s also the man forced off the board of the Hartford Housing Authority by then Mayor Eddie A. Perez as part of a series dueling allegations of corruption. No charges were ever brought. Now, it looks like new Mayor Pedro Segarra wants him back on the authority’s board. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: October 22, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_102210.asp

Anticipated Permanent Closure of Flower Street Creates Controversy Critics of the New Britain-Hartford Busway, now called CTfastrak, have questioned the cost of the project, along with how much use it would get. Detractors may not be taking the long view on this, but one aspect of CTfastrak is beginning to receive more scrutiny from those who are supporters of the project as a whole: the closure of Flower Street. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: August 12, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_081212.asp

Approve Billboard Plan In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposal to eliminate billboards on state-owned property might have limited immediate impact. But if her plan is approved by the General Assembly, it will be setting an example that municipalities and others who harbor the giant signs should follow. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 14, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_021408.asp

Are Toll Roads Coming Back To Connecticut? In this era of deteriorating highways and diminishing federal and state transportation dollars, there doesn't seem to be any way of avoiding the topic of restoring tolls in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: March 05, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_030513.asp

As CTfastrak Construction Begins In Hartford, Capitol Area Traffic Hits The Slow Track Thousands of insurance and state employees in the Capitol area can expect longer rush-hour delays and a lot of extra company in the next year or so as the state rebuilds the Broad Street bridge as part of the CTfastrak busway construction. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 04, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_100412.asp

Asylum Hill Reacts to Planned Flower Street Closure Employees of the Connecticut Department of Transportation met with residents and stakeholders in Asylum Hill, primarily to rehash the presentation given recently to the Frog Hollow NRZ. Following a theme, Asylum Hill residents opposed the closure of Flower Street, while the DOT continued to provide questionable justification for that plan. No new arguments were presented, but residents and stakeholders pressed for more specific explanations. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: August 17, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_081712.asp

At Long Last, Hartford-New Britain Busway In Gear It took more than 15 years and spanned the terms of three governors, but CTfastrak, nee the Hartford-New Britain busway, is now under construction. Officials broke ground in Hartford's Parkville neighborhood for the 9.4-mile bus rapid transit link from downtown New Britain through Newington and West Hartford to downtown Hartford. The busway also will serve express buses coming from west of New Britain. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_052212_1.asp

Automobile Dealers Prepare For Centennial Celebration On May 15, 2008, representatives of Papa's Dodge and Mitchell Auto Group and other central Connecticut dealers attended the centennial celebration of the Greater Hartford Automobile Dealers Association at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 08, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/history/htfd_courant_050808.asp

Backers Say Busway And Rail Plans Are Much More Than Just Ways To Connect Cities Advocates of mass transit push for three big transportation proposals — a busway between New Britain and Hartford, high-speed rail from Springfield to New Haven, and perhaps, commuter trains linking Waterbury and Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 03, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_010310.asp

Behind the Wheel Starting this semester, Trinity College offers a new car-sharing service. Trinity became one of 50 schools partnered with Zipcar, and joined Yale and Post University, becoming the third college in Connecticut to offer the service. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: September 18, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_091808.asp

Bicycle Friendly Community Symposium The recent bicycle symposium held at the Bushnell Theatre was sponsored by the Theatre, Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance, and the Capitol Region Council of Governments. Tom Maziarz of CRCOG and Anne I. Hayes of Central CT Bicycle Alliance gave a little background on their respective organizations, but the spotlight quickly went to Andy Clarke. The President of the League of American Bicyclists delivered a talk, “Bicycle Friendly Communities: The Benefits and a Road Map for Success.” Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: January 13, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_011310_1.asp

Bike Lane Too Tight Several months ago, Hartford officials relined Asylum Avenue through the Asylum Hill neighborhood with bike lanes on the outside, one travel lane and some central turning lanes. But the changes drew many complaints, and now the city has mostly painted them over and abandoned them. The problem, said city transportation chief Kevin Burnham, is that the street is just too narrow. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 09, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/smartgrowth/htfd_courant_120908.asp

Bill Would Create Business Zone Around Bradley Airport Business leaders, legislators and town officials say that creating a special business zone near Bradley International Airport would be vital for the region, and the state, to compete for development when the economy improves. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 17, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_021710.asp

Billboards: Ambivalence Writ Large Regardless of the products and services screaming at us from bright, enormous roadside signs, few elements of our landscape generate louder opinions than billboards. Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposal earlier this year to eliminate billboards on state land made national news, spawned a flurry of strongly worded letters to the editor and had bloggers working overtime. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 07, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120708.asp

Blazing A Bike Trail Through Hartford The East Coast Greenway, an off-road trail that is under construction from Maine to Florida, is marching through Connecticut, a segment at a time. So much of it is complete or in the works that there are only two major challenges left: a New Haven to New York link, which could be achieved with a trail along the Merritt Parkway, and a connection from Hartford to the Farmington Canal trail west of the city. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 17, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Parks/htfd_courant_121706.asp

Bonding OK Seen As Important First Step In State's Rail Plan In Connecticut's campaign to scrape together funding for a new, high-speed rail system, the score recently was $26 million in the bank — and perhaps $800 million still to go. But even though the $26 million will pay for only a tiny fraction of the work to improve the Springfield- New Haven rail line, advocates cheered when the State Bond Commission authorized borrowing the money. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 09, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_010910.asp

Both Sides Gear Up For Busway Meetings Against the backdrop of a bitter debate in Washington over new mass transit projects, both supporters and opponents of the proposed New Britain-to-Hartford busway are taking their cases to taxpayers this summer. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 25, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072511.asp

Both Sides: Towing Companies - Leeches Or The Public's Friend? Motorists and tow truck drivers in Hartford have gotten into disputes -- even physical confrontations -- in recent weeks over what critics say are aggressive towing tactics used by drivers who haul vehicles from private property. Hyacinth Yennie, a Hartford community leader, and Donald Weisman, a lawyer who represents many of the state's towing companies, offer their views. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 18, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Neighborhoods/htfd_courant_051807.asp

Bradley - Europe, Now Boarding Commencing Bradley International Airport’s first-ever daily passenger service overseas, a Northwest Airlines flight recently departed for Amsterdam. It is a momentous development for the region. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_070107.asp

Bradley Losing Nonstop Flights To Los Angeles Bradley International Airport will lose its only direct, nonstop service to the West Coast this fall, the first major blow to the airport amid a mounting crisis in the airline industry. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 26, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_062608.asp

Bradley Renewal Isn't Grounded Yet Bradley International got the one-two punch recently: It will lose its much-ballyhooed nonstop flights to Los Angeles and Amsterdam this fall. But those setbacks aren't enough — at least not yet — to make the airport scrap any part of its long-term redevelopment plans, including a replacement for Terminal B and a new parking garage. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 01, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_070108.asp

Bradley Seating Capacity Dives Passenger traffic at Bradley International Airport reached record heights last year, but airlines are now cutting the number of seats those passengers can sit in, airport officials announced recently. Passenger traffic at the airport has fallen by about 5 percent compared with the same time last year, mainly a result of the switch to smaller planes and reduced service. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 17, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_111706.asp

Brave New Traffic Hartford is among the early adopters of GridSmart, a new way to change the lights, switching the traffic signals from red to yellow to green in the most efficient manner possible to keep cars and people flowing safely and smoothly. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: October 23, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_102308.asp

Bring Back Streetcars In 1920, Hartford's streets were unified by more than 150 miles of street railways. Those were systematically dismantled in the1940s. Not coincidently, the city's population has dropped from nearly 180,000 in 1950 to 120,000 today. Including Hartford Hospital and Asylum Hill, downtown Hartford is home to nearly 65,000 jobs. Nearly 90 percent of those workers arrive by car. The author suggests that to revitalize the city, Hartford should revive some of its long-lost street railway system. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 30, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_083009_1.asp

Bring Back the Isle of Safety This Hartford Courant opinion describes the history of and offers compelling reasons to restore the Isle of Safety and return it to its original place of prominence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 27, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/history/htfd_courant_022705.asp

Bring Back Trolleys, Build Them Here In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that Connecticut cities should think seriously about using trolleys. But what about trying for a second bang for the buck and manufacturing them here? Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 19, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_011910.asp

Bring I-84 To Ground In Hartford Tom Condon supports a plan for rebuilding I-84 in which the currently-elevated highway becomes an at-grade roadway through the city of Hartford, just south of newly realigned railroad tracks. This seemingly simple idea is a grand slam for the city, and at least a triple for DOT and Amtrak. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 24, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_102410.asp

Bring Tolls Back To State's Highways In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that Connecticut lawmakers’ proposal to restore tolls to finance the repair and maintenance of the state's aging highway infrastructure is a good idea. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 28, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022810.asp

Bringing A Beautiful Bridge To Light One hundred and forty thousand drivers cross the Connecticut River on I-84 to Hartford every day, unaware that the magnificent but unseen structure beneath them holds a coveted spot on the National Register of Historic Places and turns 100 this month. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 18, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_101808.asp

Bringing The North End Back Into Downtown When the city's plan to incorporate the facade of the historic Second North District School on High Street into the new public safety complex fell through, all too literally, no one was angrier and more upset than Bill Hosley. Hosley used to run the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society, now called Connecticut Landmarks, which owns the lovely Isham-Terry House just down the street from the 19th-century brick school building. He came to see that the North End was, he said, Hartford's Lower East Side, an area that had been home to many immigrant groups and had "so much history." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 22, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/history/htfd_courant_082210.asp

Bristol Residents Still Doubtful About Busway, But Plymouth Wants To Get On Board Skeptics showed up to deliver criticism at a CTfastrak informational forum recently, but the session also drew praise from two or three bus riders and even a pitch from Plymouth to get in on the project. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 12, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_031213.asp

Building On Value: Development Should Leverage State's Resources Toni Gold writes: Note to Gov.-elect Dannel Malloy: Connecticut's approach to economic development is not working. Virtually no net jobs have been created for decades, population has not risen, and our vaunted income statistics barely maintain their place as they conceal a shameful gap between the rich and the poor. Perhaps the reason it isn't working is that we take too narrow a view of the problem. Could the things that are being lost — the farms and fields threatened by new exurban subdivisions and big-box stores; the compact, walkable, diverse cities continually hollowed out for the automobile; the architectural heritage that is threatened in towns of every size — be part of the solution rather than part of the problem? Shouldn't the place that is Connecticut — the historic buildings, streets, squares, museums, parks and public spaces that make every one of the 169 towns unique and interesting —- be leveraged as an economic asset? Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 26, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_122610.asp

Bumps in the Road Hartford attempts to fight traffic slumps with road humps. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: September 13
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_091307.asp

Bus Shelters Shouldn't Take So Long Hartford's bus shelters were a mess in the early part of the last decade, full of litter, missing panels of plexiglass and slathered with graffiti. City officials vowed to fix the problem, but didn't. After a prolonged and painstaking negotiations, and with the help of a federal grant, it now appears that CRCOG has brokered a regional program that could bring new bus shelters to Hartford and seven surrounding towns as early as next summer. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 12, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_121211.asp

Busway Advocates Pushing For Big Turnout Looking to put on a major show of public approval, supporters of the Hartford-New Britain busway are campaigning for a big turnout when state officials give a public update about the project recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 10, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_081011.asp

Busway Battle Appears Headed To Final Rounds Advocates of the Hartford-to-New Britain busway staged a rally recently to head off a proposed law that would scrap the $567 million project by stripping the state's share of its funding. Canceling the busway now would waste federal grants, leave I-84 congestion to worsen for years and damage economic development initiatives along the busway's 9.6-mile corridor, supporters said at a press conference at the Legislative Office Building. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 19, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_021911.asp

Busway Battle Moves To Environmental Arena A state agency is scheduled to hold a hearing on the $569 million busway proposal, but it's not a session designed for general comments supporting or criticizing the controversial project. Instead, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection wants information about the busway's potential impact on wetlands along the 9.6-mile route. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 06, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_090611.asp

Busway Changing The Landscape Behind the State Armory in Hartford, workers operate the backhoes and cranes that are carving a two-story retaining wall beside the Amtrak rail line. Roughly nine miles away, more crews are preparing a new off-ramp from Route 72 up to New Britain's Truman Overpass. In between runs a two-lane passageway of back-to-back-to-back job sites: The path of CTfastrak. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 08, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120812.asp

Busway Construction Will Impact Traffic On Flatbush Avenue Members of the West Hartford busway advisory board met with representatives of the state Department of Transportation recently to discuss CTfastrak, the $567 million busway that will run between New Britain and Hartford. The busway will have a stop in the town's Elmwood section, near New Britain Avenue and New Park Avenue, and a Flatbush Avenue stop, near the intersection of Flatbush and New Park avenues. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 14, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_031413.asp

Busway Construction Worries West Hartford Officials West Hartford town officials do not support the controversial $567 million New Britain-to-Hartford busway project. But it is coming and that means that there will be construction in West Hartford over the next few years. Although Christopher Zukowski, a project engineer for the state Department of Transportation, says the impact on traffic in West Hartford will be minimal, Town Manager Ronald Van Winkle says he remains worried that the project will negatively impact residents and businesses. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 07, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_060712.asp

Busway Critic: Maine Project Shows Rail Was The Better Choice When Amtrak trains started running the extended Downeaster route in Maine on Nov. 1, Connecticut transportation planners should have recognized the message, Michael Nicastro said. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 11, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_111112.asp

Busway Designers To Hear Ideas About Flower Street Bridge After neighbors prevailed in an exhaustive battle to secure a pedestrian bridge over Flower Street in Hartford, people who live and work in the city will get a chance to offer design suggestions. The state transportation department hosted a forum about the bridge and invited individuals, civic groups, community associations, business owners and anyone else with an interest in how the bridge is designed. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 15, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071513.asp

Busway Fans, Critics Gather Working to a loudly whooping crowd of construction workers, a half-dozen politicians and labor leaders took turns recently issuing high-energy proclamations that the $569 million busway to Hartford must be built -- and soon. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 12, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_081211.asp

Busway Friends And Foes Take Stances On $200 Million In Federal Funds If the Federal Transit Administration pledges more than $200 million this spring for the proposed New Britain to Hartford busway, the project's supporters say they're confident they'll have the momentum to get it built and operating by late 2013. Opponents, though, figure federal funding would give them one more shot at blocking the long-planned busway. That's because both sides acknowledge the dispute could ultimately end in the hands of the State Bond Commission, where bruising political battles have become commonplace. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 04, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_040410.asp

Busway Funding Reaches Crucial Milestone Federal approval of $275 million for the New-Britain-to-Hartford busway appears to be imminent, but opponents aren't giving up and have gone to Washington to press Republicans and anti-tax groups to intervene. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 10, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_101011.asp

Busway Gains Crucial Federal Funding Declaring that they can deliver thousands of construction jobs and a break from I-84 traffic jams, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and federal officials signed a deal recenty for $275 million in aid for the New-Britain-to-Hartford busway. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 21, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_112111.asp

Busway Gets Federal Funding, Construction To Begin In Spring Federal transportation officials have officially committed $275 million for a busway from New Britain to Hartford. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: November 21, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/jcohen_112111.asp

Busway Included In Funding A proposed $44 million regional transportation plan includes millions for the proposed New Britain-to-Hartford busway and the extension of Route 72 in Plainville and Bristol. Under the proposal, $19.6 million would be spent on the busway and $10.8 million would be spent on the extension, planned for fiscal 2007-08. The allocations are part of the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency's transportation improvement plan, which outlines every major project in Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth and Southington that receives federal funding. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 10, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071006.asp

Busway Is A Key Link That's Within Our Grasp In this opinion piece, the author suggests that as rail advocates seek to ratchet up the train vs. busway rhetoric, it is important to keep in mind one key fact: Money for the busway cannot somehow be redirected now to a rail commuter project. That is not the way the federal process works. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 02, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_050210_1.asp

Busway Key Transit, Economic Link In this opinion piece, the author expresses the opinion that some of the region's largest corporate, educational and hospital employers are investing millions of dollars to improve and expand their operations in Hartford and New Britain. These extraordinary investments demonstrate confidence in the future of Central Connecticut and are critical to job retention and growth in both cities and the region. We must take advantage of these major investments by moving forward with two long-standing transit projects, the Hartford-New Britain busway and the Springfield-Hartford-New Haven rail initiative. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 02, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_100210.asp

Busway Land Questions In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that eminent domain is making news for a traditional public use, the New Britain-to-Hartford busway. But the cost of this project is raising eyebrows. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 27, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_052711.asp

Busway Needs A Salesman Like Bill Veeck The New Britain-to- Hartford busway, a potentially transformative project, has become a punching bag for some of the candidates in the coming congressional primaries. What the DOT needs is someone with imagination, drive and sass to sell the product, before the public assumes the critics are right. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 02, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_080212.asp

Busway Opponents Urge Denial Of Wetlands Permit For Project The Block the Bus group took another shot at scuttling the planned New Britain busway recently, but acknowledged that it was a long shot. Busway opponents urged a senior state environmental protection official to deny a wetlands permit for the $567 million project. They argued that there are at least two better, cleaner alternatives to building a 9.4-mile bus-only highway between Union Station and downtown New Britain. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 02, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030212.asp

Busway Opponents, Advocates Ramp Up Campaigns Insisting that there's still time to stop the $569 million New Britain-to-Hartford busway, three Republican state lawmakers are calling for taxpayers to rally against it in mid-August. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 31, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_073111.asp

Busway Opposition Hits End Of The Road? The long-running campaign to scrap the New Britain busway ran out of gas when legislators voted down an amendment to strip its funding. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 07, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_050712.asp

Busway Opposition Shifting Into High Gear Opponents of the New Britain busway have ramped up their campaign by declaring that the project will consume about $100 million in federal funds that instead could be used to maintain Connecticut's aging bridges and highways. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 13, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_021310.asp

Busway Plan Survives Senate Republicans' Effort To De-Fund Project State senators paved the way for the controversial New Britain-to-Hartford busway recently after a sharp debate over whether the project is a brilliant transportation advance or a potentially costly white elephant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 27, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_042712.asp

Busway Public Relations Campaign Hits A Bumpy Patch In New Britain As contractors start amassing payloaders and bulldozers along the path of the busway to Hartford, some homeowners along the route were raising last-minute concerns about worsened noise, traffic detours and flooding in their neighborhoods. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 30, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_053012.asp

Busway Rebrands, Hunts for Ridership Growth The Hartford-New Britain Busway officially broke ground on May 22, 2012, with a completely new name and an ambitious plan for ridership, CTfastrak. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: June 05, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_060512.asp

Busway Rides Rough Road For years, politicians and transportation officials have said the proposed express busway between New Britain and Hartford is an important step to promote regionalism, stimulate the economy and ease commuter congestion. But as engineers unfurl design proposals that involve expensive road overhauls and property seizures, some officials and business owners along the proposed 9.4-mile route are questioning whether it's worth the sacrifices. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_021506.asp

Busway Struggle Is In End Game After years of debate, a crucial decision about the future of mass transit in central Connecticut is coming down to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Supporters and critics of the proposed $569 million busway spent three hours recently pitching their cases to the governor in a private meeting at the Capitol. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 21, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032111.asp

Busway Work Could Cause Nighttime Traffic Slowdowns In New Britain Several months of periodic traffic delays on Route 9 and Route 72 are expected to begin when workers start dismantling a long-abandoned railroad bridge. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 27, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072712_1.asp

Busway's Promise Shown In Cleveland As continued opposition to the Hartford to New Britain busway shows, there is no shortage of skeptics when it comes to mass transit projects. Perhaps Connecticut can better relate to the success of transit in a nearby city that has suffered significant economic decline: Cleveland. In the past few years, however, Cleveland's Euclid Avenue, which was decimated by the social unrest and acute disinvestment of the 1960s, has experienced an improbable rebirth thanks to its new bus rapid transit system, known as BRT. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 11, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071112_1.asp

Busway, Rail Line Key Links In Transit Chain In this commentary, Lyle Wray, executive director of the Capitol Region Council of Governments, expresses the opinion that recent commentaries on the New Britain-Hartford busway and the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail service present these planned projects as competing alternatives — pick one and drop the other. We need both. These projects, which will serve distinctly different needs, are complementary pieces of a much-needed rapid transit system for the Hartford metropolitan region. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 23, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_012309.asp

Busway: Boost For The Environment? The $569 million busway to Hartford would be an environmental bonanza for central Connecticut by reducing air pollution and blocking urban sprawl, proponents declared at a state hearing on the project recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 08, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_090811.asp

Busway: Serious Rapid Transit Boston has its T, Washington has its Metro, and Hartford can and should join their ranks with a high-speed regional transit system of its own, namely the proposed New Britain-Hartford Busway. Just like a big city subway, it would offer high speeds, frequent, reliable service and a powerful incentive for economic development along its path. This isn't some long-range dream — we can have the busway under construction this spring. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 26, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_122610_1.asp

Busway? Restoring Rail Is A Better Way To Go In this opinion piece, the author suggests that the proposed 9.4-mile New Britain-to-Hartford busway - a paved corridor exclusively for buses that would connect only four communities: New Britain, Newington, West Hartford and Hartford - could cause the permanent loss of rail rights-of-way and deal a drastic blow to the state's passenger and freight rail service. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 02, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_050210.asp

Camera Cops? Members of the Maple Avenue Group (MARG) want Hartford to join the growing number of U.S. cities that use video cameras to catch motorists who run red lights, speed and commit other infractions. Once a violation is recorded by the camera, the motorist would automatically be mailed a ticket. But MARG President Hyacinth Yennie said that in order for Hartford to install such cameras, the State of Connecticut would have to pass new legislation allowing their use. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: November 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_news_112708.asp

Canal Trail Is A Path To The Future The Farmington Canal Trail is a part of the East Coast Greenway (www.greenway.org), a pathway that will connect cities along the East Coast from Calais, Maine, to Key West, Fla. In the Hartford region, the greenway will begin on the Hop River Trail in Andover and travel through Bolton, meet the Charter Oak Greenway in Manchester and East Hartford, connect to the riverfront trails, proceed through Hartford and Bloomfield and go through the gap in the ridge at Tariffville to connect to the canal trail. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 10, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_101010.asp

Capitol Area: From Asphalt Desert To Gem A bill introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly, by state Rep. David McCluskey, would direct state officials to inventory all state-owned and -leased parking lots in the Capitol district with a view to reducing the asphalt desert that surrounds the Capitol complex and liberating those acres "for the purpose of community and economic development." The bill would lead to the reduction of state-owned surface parking lots in central Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 4, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_030407.asp

Capitol Region Transportation Plan This plan outlines a comprehensive program for improving our transportation system to meet travel needs through the year 2030. It is a systems level plan that provides general policy guidance. It defines the Region's greatest needs, identifies which problems are the Region's highest priority, and outlines how the Region should spend its limited capital funds. (PDF document: 68 pages) Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) ; Publication Date: March 23, 2004
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_032304.asp Related Link(s): Transportation Improvement Program

Capitol West Eyesore Will Soon Be Gone Under a court-approved settlement announced recently, Hartford will acquire the long-abandoned Capitol West building on Myrtle Street next to I-84 West on the edge of downtown for $1.7 million. The next step will be to tear it down. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 19, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_111911.asp

Car Insurance Rate Debate Revs Up Connecticut's urban residents and lawmakers have been complaining for years that auto insurance rates are much higher in cities than in suburbs, and the frustration surfaced anew at a legislative hearing recently. The Insurance and Real Estate Committee aired a proposal that would prohibit auto insurers from basing rates on where drivers live, a measure aimed at putting more emphasis on each consumer's driving record. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 26, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_012607_a.asp

Car-Free In Hartford This writer commuted to work on his bicycle. For most bike riders, the most challenging parts of replacing their cars with the bikes isn't the physical exhaustion: it's dealing with the people who still drive their cars. While regional attitudes toward cyclists clearly need work, some state and local officials are getting increasingly bike friendly. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: May 29, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_052908.asp

Car-Free in Hartford Since early October 2009, Kerri Provost has been without a car. She has not starved to death. Here is an explanation for how she has been able to meet her various needs and wants while living in Hartford without a car. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: December 04, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_120409_1.asp

Car-Free Zones Energize Cities In this opinion piece, the author suggests that there's comfort and exhilaration in walking through a car-free city. In the cities that do it, the car-free zones seem to draw more people than areas that are choked with traffic. It's something for Hartford to think about. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 28, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_062809_2.asp

Cash At Last For Fast Trains: Obama Starts Push For 21st-Century Rail System In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that it was encouraging to see President Barack Obama include $8 billion in the recent federal stimulus package for high-speed rail. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 23, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032309.asp

Chicago's Grand Plan Instead of a superhighway along its Lake Michigan waterfront, Chicago has a near-continuous 26 miles of lovely lakefront parks. The parks helped make Chicago one of the most livable and attractive big cities in North America. The parks are a priceless legacy of one of the greatest city plans, the Burnham plan, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 02, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_080209.asp

City Considering Parking Incentives Hoping to bring in more revenue for the city and increase traffic for downtown businesses, the Hartford Parking Authority has floated three ideas designed to give its customers a break and attract new patrons. The authority has proposed a loyalty program that would give customers a free parking day for every three paid parking days; a "refer-a-friend" program in which monthly parkers would get a free month of parking for referring a friend who signs up for a three-month pass; and five free parking days for everyone who visits the city. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 11, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_101110.asp

City Council Signs Off On Proposals For Parking Incentives The Hartford Parking Authority is moving forward with plans for three new incentive programs, after the city council approved the proposals recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 13, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_101310.asp

City Council Signs Off On Proposals For Parking Incentives The Hartford Parking Authority is moving forward with plans for three new incentive programs, after the city council approved the proposals recently. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 13, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/cityline_101310.asp

City Finds Bitter Medicine For Parking Ills For years, Hartford's downtown has suffered from a kind of traffic cardiac arrest - its central arteries clogged by cars parked long-term, leaving no space for customers to patronize restaurants, clothing shops or banks. So when the city's parking authority took over Hartford's on-street parking enforcement last year, the authority's chief prescribed its most potent medicine to alleviate the problem - parking tickets, and lots of them. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 8, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_010807.asp

City Gets $1.7 Million Federal Grant For Street Improvements Near Union Station The city has received a $1.7 million federal transportation grant to help improve pedestrian access to Union Station. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 19, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_101911.asp

City Hall Works to Attract Shoppers and Visitors Downtown with Parking Perks With the help of city hall, Hartford is offering several new parking incentives to attract people to businesses and events. But many who park in the city say they are not quite sure what to make of Mayor Pedro Segarra’s initiatives. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: November 02, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_advocate_110210.asp

City Issues 498 Tickets, 91 Tows During Parking Ban Signaling that the city is serious about parking ban violations, police issued 498 tickets and authorized the towing of 91 cars during a recent snowstorm. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 24, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_012412.asp

City Looks At Parking Garages For Cash The city needs money. It's looking to its parking garages. Finance Director Christopher Wolf told the Hartford Parking Authority in a letter that it is considering "an alternative revenue stream from the city's parking assets." One way to make more money could be to sell or lease those assets, according to Chief Operating Officer David Panagore. The city is now beginning a months-long process to evaluate its options. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 26, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_102609_1.asp

City Meets with Residents about Flower Street Anna Barry, the Deputy DOT Commissioner, acknowledgeed that the City has been engaged in "vigorous discussion" with the Connecticut DOT concerning the closure of Flower Street in Hartford as a result of the construction of CTfastrak, and that no conclusion has been reached between those parties about what is an acceptable path forward. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: April 26, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_042613.asp

City Must Spread Wings Colorful buses will not make Hartford competitive. A new, catchy slogan will not change the business landscape. Successful rebranding and marketing Hartford and its region ultimately demands substance. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, in contrast, is aggressively working to bring new jobs to the state - he has scored three hits on his "First Five" initiative - and change the state's business climate. His commitment to Bioscience Connecticut promises both short-term construction jobs and long-term regional economic expansion. Those initiatives are building a stronger context for Hartford's initiatives. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 07, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_080711.asp

City of Hartford Opposes Flower Street Closure — Partially In late July, a letter from the City of Hartford’s Deputy Corporation Counsel — on behalf of Mayor Segarra — was submitted to the Connecticut Department of Transportation petitioning “to postpone or condition the closure of the Flower Street crossing until adequate and effective measures can be devised and implemented to mitigate the impact the proposed closure will have on north-south traffic flow within the City.” Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: August 15, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_081512.asp

City of Hartford Streetscapes Projects May 2006 A map of Hartford showing the locations of streetscape projects as of May 2006. (PDF document, 1 page.) Published by City of Hartford, Development Services Department, Planning Division ; Publication Date: May 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/economicdevelopment/Streetscapes52006.pdf

City of Hartford Transportation System May 2006 A map of Hartford showing the transportation routes - roads, highways, railroads, streets. (PDF document, 1 page.) Published by City of Hartford, Development Services Department, Planning Division ; Publication Date: May 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/economicdevelopment/CityOfHtfdTransportationMay2006.pdf

City of Hartford: Proposed Parking Concession The City of Hartford is considering putting the operation of parking facilities and on-street parking out to bid. This presentation is one of a series as public input on such a plan is sought. (PDF document, 40 pages) Published by City of Hartford ; Publication Date: November 16, 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Government/ParkingConcession_11_16_10_presentation.pdf

City Offers Parking Discount to Fuel-Efficient Car Owners Monthly parkers who own a fuel-efficient car receive a 50 percent discount on parking in Hartford's three public garages. The new program is designed to support conservation minded drivers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 15, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_071505.asp

City Parking Deal Worth $100 Million The city of Hartford says outsourcing its downtown parking assets could bring in around $100 million and that it would be willing to let street parking tolls rise to attract an eager bidder. City officials say the aim of privatizing parking operations is to maximize parking revenues and stabilize the city finances in the short term while providing a platform for sustainable economic growth over the long-term. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: November 22, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_112210.asp

City Poised To Enter Agreement To Sell Morgan Street Garage To State City officials are expected to sign a deal in the next few weeks to sell the Morgan Street parking garage to the state. At the same time, the city will enter into a long-term lease with the state for the land beneath the garage and rights to future development above the eight-level structure. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 06, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_060613.asp

City To Test Fuel Cell Bus The fuel cell-powered bus that will soon prowl Hartford's downtown streets is quiet, efficient and replaces toxic clouds of exhaust with pure water vapor. But for now, it will be the only one of its kind in New England - mostly because it costs more than $2 million and its reliability is still being assessed. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_090106.asp

Clean Up Hartford Parking Mess Mark McGovern, just named executive director of the Hartford Parking Authority, seems a good choice for that job. A city hall veteran with a background in economic development, Mr. McGovern knows the issues and can quickly get up to speed on how the parking piece theoretically fits in the puzzle. He and the authority's board will also develop a strategic plan with long-term goals — a process already underway. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 11, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_061110.asp

Clearing The Way Toward A More Scenic Connecticut Toni Gold writes in support of . M. Jodi Rell's executive order to ban outdoor advertising on state property. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 24, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022408_1.asp

Closing Hartford Crossing Key For Busway Getting the New Britain-to-Hartford busway, or CTfastrak, past little Flower Street in Hartford is one of the most difficult engineering challenges in constructing the dedicated right-of-way, and one of the most controversial. Neighborhood organizations, residents, bicyclists and others say the loss of this two-block north-south street that connects Farmington and Capitol avenues will cause more traffic congestion, impede pedestrian circulation and make bicycling more dangerous in the area. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 23, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_082312.asp

Commentary: My 10-Year Plan for Hartford Anton Rick Ossen offers his own 10-year plan for Hartford, and it starts with transportation. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: December 10, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_news_121009.asp

Commissioners Appoint New CEO Eric M. Boone will head the Hartford Parking Authority, replacing Mark McGovern, the authority has announced. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 21, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_092113.asp

Committee To Discuss How Connecticut Missed Out On Federal Transportation Money Lawmakers who have been frustrated by Connecticut's weak showing in the race for federal transportation money will have an opportunity to ask what's been going wrong. A General Assembly committee recently convened its annual hearing on the Department of Transportation's major projects, and several legislators asked about Connecticut's miserable showing in the competition for $1.5 billion in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grants. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 01, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030110.asp

Commuter Group Criticizes Train-Defects Secrecy Frustrated by a surprise delay in replacing the Metro-North fleet, a commuters' group is pushing for more openness and tighter oversight of the $866 million purchase agreement for new trains. The head of the Connecticut Metro-North Commuters Council complained recently that the state transportation department was too slow to tell taxpayers about problems cropping up in the purchase of 342 high-tech train cars. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 17, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_121710.asp

Commuter Transportation Battle Has Been Heating Up In a few years, a rapid-transit busway to Hartford might start out in downtown New Britain, offering commuters an option to traffic-choked I-84. Or, perhaps the rail tracks will be restored to create a Waterbury-to-Hartford commuter train system. But it looks like Connecticut can't have both. There doesn't seem to be room to run trains and buses on the same route, and choosing between them is turning into an increasingly tense struggle dividing politicians and business owners from Hartford to Bristol. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 26, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_052609.asp

Commuters Plan To Speak Out About Use Of Revenue From Fare Increases Complaining that money from their rail and bus fare increases will be spent on highway repairs, commuter groups and transit riders were expected to ask the General Assembly to intervene. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 11, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_031112.asp

Commuting: Better Bus Service Would Pay Off For Hartford Anton Rick-Ossen recently began taking the bus from the West End of Hartford to Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford. He offers his observations and suggestions for improved service. An express bus from the West End across the river to East Hartford via I-84 would help tie two parts of the metro area together, and lessen congestion downtown. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_122406_b.asp

Companies Land Busway Contracts Connecticut builders and trade unions were the winners recently when the state transportation department awarded more than $75 million in contracts for the New-Britain-to-Hartford busway. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 04, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_040412.asp

Companies Should Take Lead On Transit For Workers The Hartford's announcement in December 2008 that it would tear down the MassMutual building for more parking perfectly illustrates the city's most serious transportation issue. Connecticut's capital city has a series of companies struggling to accommodate their large drive-alone workers in a city with very limited transit resources and limited parking. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_011308_1.asp

CON: The Busway Is No Longer Valid Transportation Solution In this opinion piece, the author suggests that over the last few weeks, residents and businesses in Central Connecticut may have seen the media blitz lead by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce, Sierra Club of Connecticut, National Corridors and Rail TEC exposing the high costs and low value of the proposed New Britain/Hartford Busway. Reality is that time has run past this bloated project. It is now simply too high on cost and too low on long-term strategic value. We should expect more for our dollar and this project certainly fails to meet that expectation. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: November 01, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_110110_1.asp

Concerns About Busway Stops West Hartford officials and residents raised concerns recently about the design of two local stops along the proposed New Britain-Hartford busway. The concerns came up as transportation officials emphasized that the line would ease traffic congestion in the region and that the plan, while "fairly well-defined," is not final. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 2, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_030206.asp

Congressmen: Connecticut High-Speed Rail Still On Track New Republican-driven federal budget cuts have severely damaged the Obama administration's high-speed rail plan, but Congressional leaders still say the Northeast Corridor project — including Connecticut's line — is viable. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 15, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_041511.asp

Connecticut Awards $5 million for Transit Planning Connecticut is giving $5 million to 11 cities, towns and regional planning agencies as a first step to plan downtown development around rail and bus stations, state officials announced recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 13, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_101311.asp

Connecticut Bypassed For Latest High-Speed Rail Grants Connecticut lost out on its bid to get a share of $1.2 billion in federal high-speed rail funds recently. With newly elected conservative governors in Ohio and Wisconsin rejecting the Obama administration grants, Connecticut and more than a dozen other states lined up to get part of that money. But on Thursday afternoon, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the bulk of the funding will go to two states that are relatively far along in designing fast trains: California and Florida. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 10, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_121010.asp

Connecticut Freight Lines See Federal Aid Passing Them By The state won't learn until mid-September whether it will get a slice of $600 million in new competitive federal transportation grants, but the share for Connecticut's freight rail system is guaranteed — zero. State transportation officials said in 2009 that the freight lines need nearly $110 million in federal aid to stay competitive, but they skipped the rail system altogether when recommending projects for a new round of Investment Generating Economic Recovery grants. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 18, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_071810.asp

Connecticut Gears Up To Lobby Washington For Railroad Seed Money When the Federal Railroad Administration doles out high-speed rail grants this winter, it will be sending plenty of rejection letters, too. The agency has $8 billion in seed money for new high-speed passenger rail lines, but after that, the math gets ugly. Twenty-four states are battling for a piece of its bankroll, and their requests add up to $57 billion. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 28, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_122809.asp

Connecticut Joins The Hunt For Florida's Fast-Train Money With Florida abandoning its high-speed rail plans, Connecticut is looking to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for $100 million of the money set aside for that project. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 19, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_021911_1.asp

Connecticut Key In High-Speed Rail Upgrades U.S. representative of Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania, supports investment in the development of high-speed rail lines in the Northeast Corridor. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 30, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_013011.asp

Connecticut Lawmakers Consider Changes to Digital Billboards State and federal experts are considering policies regarding electronic billboard advertising. These flashing billboards may become safety hazards by distracting drivers. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_043013.asp

Connecticut Must Get Commuter Rail Service On Track Rick Green expresses the opinion that although Governor Rell is committed to getting commuter rail service up and going in Connecticut, the process needs to be put on the fast track. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 19, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_121908.asp

Connecticut Needs To Work Fast For High-Speed Rail Line Rick Green comments that the future is about high-speed rail between New Haven and Springfield. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 12, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_061209.asp

Connecticut Receives $238,000 In Funds For Transit Projects When federal officials handed out $600 million for transit projects across the nation recently Connecticut pulled in just $238,000. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 05, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030510.asp

Connecticut Seeks Federal Grants To Renovate Freight Rail System In the biggest move in decades to renovate Connecticut's freight rail system, the state is seeking more than $109 million in grants to refurbish or rebuild deteriorated tracks in Middletown, Hartford, East Windsor, Danbury and elsewhere. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 28, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_092809.asp

Connecticut Wastes Money Widening Roads Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has made headlines as a "transportation governor." Overall, the state is spending transportation dollars in a more balanced way than in previous years, according to an analysis we at the Tri-State Transportation Campaign released last month. But the state still plans to spend more on costly road expansion than its neighbors, and there are worrying signs that investment in environmentally and economically sustainable modes — rail, bus, biking and walking — could drop off in future years unless the state Department of Transportation starts planning for the future now. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 01, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_050113.asp

Connecticut's Airport Dreams Are Stuck in a Holding Pattern Connecticut's biggest airports seem to be stuck in a strange and frustrating limbo. Lots of local and state folks see them as potentially high-flying engines of economic prosperity, but they never quite achieve lift-off. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_082812.asp

Connecticut: Next Stop For High-Speed Rail Plan Is Request For Up to $500 Million The state Department of Transportation plans to apply for $400 million to $500 million in federal grants this summer to upgrade the New Haven to Springfield rail line. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 07, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_060710.asp

Connecticut: Road, Bridge Projects Face Funding Reality Across Connecticut, communities and business leaders are lobbying the state to widen their highways, build interchanges, replace bridges and expand public transit systems. But there's a $3.7 billion gap between what they want and what Connecticut can pay for, Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie told legislators recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 20, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_112009.asp

Constituents Sold Out in “Agreement” on Flower Street Kerri Provost asks: How could anyone have been prepared to respond to the City of Hartford’s 180° pulled minutes before the beginning of the recent hearing on the closure of Flower Street? This reversal, issued by Mayor Segarra, has been viewed by some in the community as a betrayal to residents and businesses, as a show of spinelessness, and one more poor decision in a stream of recent questionable choices. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: May 09, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_050913.asp

Consultant: Hartford-To-New Britain Busway Needs A Stylish Image To Draw Riders Making a success of the long-planned New Britain busway will take skillful marketing even more than engineering and construction, according to the man who built Cleveland's downtown rapid-transit bus system. The key is to build high-end facilities with frequent, reliable service and make the rider's experience as close to the quality of a light-rail ride as possible. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_101909.asp

Contest To Rename Star Shuttle Bus Line Anybody can ride a bus line, but how many people get to name one too? Now one of Hartford's most prominent transportation routes is giving riders such an opportunity, as the Star Shuttle becomes the subject of a "Name That Shuttle" contest. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 11, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071112.asp

Council Examines Transportation Options The region’s long-range transportation needs and options were the subject of a recent meeting of Hartford City Council’s Economic Development Committee. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: January 07, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_news_010710.asp

Councilman Ritter's Hartford Happenings, November/December 2008 A newsletter from Councilman Matthew Ritter, highlighting his activities in Hartford. (PDF document, 4 pages) Published by Councilman Matthew Ritter
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Government/MR_newsletter5.pdf

Councilman Wants Bus Fleet Moved Hartford City Councilman Matthew Ritter and several council colleagues have asked Mayor Eddie A. Perez to review possible new locations for the school district's bus fleet, currently on Main Street in the North End. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 01, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_030108.asp

Court Rules Against City In Airport Tax Case The city of Hartford cannot tax the right to park a plane at state-owned Brainard Airport, the state Supreme Court has ruled. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 29, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_122907.asp

Crazy Train Funding The New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line is chugging along ...It took two months longer than anyone expected, but the state Bond Commission recently approved $26 million for a project considered critical to the future of the proposed New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail line. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: January 12, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_advocate_011210.asp

Creative Parking People who work in CityPlace said they were intrigued recently when they saw a patch of sod covering a metered parking spot on Asylum Street. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 21, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_092113.asp

Crossed Signals Over High-Speed Rail Money Connecticut is on track to authorize more than $200 million in bonds this month for a pivotal stage of the Springfield-to-New Haven high-speed rail project, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and House Speaker Chris Donovan said. But, some key legislators aren't so sure. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 13, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071310.asp

CTfastone Kerri Provost expresses the opinion that while CTfastrak is attempting a series of public engagement meetings this month, it is simultaneously attempting to disengage one specific segment of the public: those opposed to the complete closure of Flower Street. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: March 12, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_031213.asp

CTfastrak – Bringing Jobs To “The Other Side Of The Tracks” The promise is that CTfastrak will change the dynamic of “behind the tracks”. The whole system, from New Britain to Hartford and well beyond to points throughout the central Connecticut region, with buses now, more trains to follow, and the multi-use trail (bikes, pedestrians) will be landscaped to please the eye. And, just as important, create opportunity for development and jobs (Transit Oriented Development). Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: February 21, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_news_022113.asp

CTfastrak Comes To The Big H As CTfastrak rushes to completion - it is on schedule and on budget – and it changes bus services affecting downtown Hartford, especially the center of town (the Big H) in a real positive sense. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: July 18, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_news_071813_6.asp

CTFastrak Economic Benefit Already Evident in Local Housing Market Hartford, a suburb of New York? Boston? Who would have thought. But with modern technology, someone can live in Hartford, telecommute to New York, hop onto CTFastrack or metro North and be in the city by office hours to check in. Already, the potential of housing along the new access routes is about to surface. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: May 09, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_news_050913.asp

CTfastrak Fans In New Britain: Start Marketing The Busway An audience of university students, professors and city residents enthusiastically applauded the CTfastrak plan recently, and recommended just one major improvement: More marketing. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 12, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_031213_1.asp

CTfastrak Presents Development Opportunities With buses soon rolling by every three minutes, New Britain is developing plans for its police station on Columbus Boulevard beyond law and order. After the police move into new digs downtown by Dec. 1, the city officials want a developer to create commercial, office or housing space in the former station, taking advantage of anticipated increased foot traffic. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: September 03, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/hbj_090312.asp

CTfastrak: “Stasis through Obfuscation” or “Flexibility”? The "Service Planning Open House" at the Hartford Public Library sponsored by CTfastrack included people who regularly use public transit and who have something at stake in seeing options improve. Kerri Provost sugests that judging from the questions, it was clear that neither the maps nor the presentation made the "software" of CTfastrak any easier to understand. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: March 19, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_031913.asp

Daily Bottleneck + Repairs = Perfect Traffic Storm The state Department of Transportation has no definitive plans on how to reduce traffic jams when it begins repairs on a severely deteriorated bridge on Interstate 84 that passes over Hartford. Already the site of a daily bottleneck created by 187,000 vehicles that travel over the bridge during peak traffic times, the traffic delays are expected to become worse when the DOT shuts down lanes on the highway for the repair work. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: January 21, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_012108.asp

Decision: Hartford's Flower Street To Stay Open For Walkers, Cyclists The state can permanently close Flower Street to vehicular traffic to accommodate the busway, but it can't close off the route for pedestrians and bicyclists, a hearing officer has ruled. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 23, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_102312.asp

Deflowering Without Consent Not a single Hartford resident or business owner attending Monday’s special meeting of the Frog Hollow NRZ spoke in favor of the closure of Flower Street. Though the Connecticut Department of Transportation is required to hold a public hearing regarding this street closure, the DOT spokesmen made it clear that they were uninterested in engaging the community in discussing the unilateral decision to further cut off Frog Hollow and Asylum Hill from one another. The viaduct began that job; the busway appears to be finishing it. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: August 14, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_081412.asp

Delta Puts Brakes On Bradley Amsterdam Flight It was a short-lived "miracle." Northwest Airlines has indefinitely suspended its nonstop flight between Hartford and Amsterdam, which had been scheduled to resume June 3 and would have been Connecticut's only direct air route to Europe. Delta Air Lines, which now owns Northwest, attributed the most recent cancellation to the challenging economic climate and poor advance reservations. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 28, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032809.asp

Denial Of Stimulus Funds For Acela Won't Affect Springfield-New Haven Initiative, Advocates Say Federal officials won't approve using high-speed rail stimulus money to improve the Acela system, but that decision doesn't damage the Springfield-to- New Haven line's separate chance for funding, several rail advocates said recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 18, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_121809.asp

Design Concept for Redesign of Trinity Street Memorial Arch in Bushnell Park The design concept for a redesign of Trinity Street and the Memorial Arch in Bushnell Park as of Nov. 2005. The estimated date for the final design is July 2006. Published by Capital Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: November 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/parks/archredesign.pdf

Developer: Future Of Housing Is Smaller, Greener, Near Transit Facing the challenges of rising fuel prices, a steady outflow of young people and ever-increasing business competition from overseas, Connecticut needs to step up its efforts to encourage affordable housing near bus and train routes, a panel of planners agreed recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 27, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_042711.asp

Dodd: Commuter Train Key To Smart Growth Development In Connecticut As federal bureaucrats announced a strategy to reduce greenhouse gases and urge Americans to live closer to their jobs, Sen. Christopher Dodd cited the New Haven-to-Springfield rail initiative as a key to future "smart growth" development in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 17, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_061709.asp

Dodd: Connecticut Has Solid Chance Of Receiving Funds For New Haven-Springfield Rail As Connecticut tries to grab a share of $8 billion in stimulus funds to build a high-speed rail system, the competition will be severe. Thirty-nine states want that same money, and the government would need more than $100 billion to meet all of their requests, according to preliminary figures from the Federal Railroad Administration. Still, U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd says the New Haven-to-Springfield line stands a solid chance of getting money when grants are handed out later this year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 27, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_072709.asp

Dollar Per Hour Parking, But Don't Be Late Doing business in downtown Hartford may cost less if the Hartford Parking Authority gets its way. The HPA unanimously approved a dramatic reduction in parking rates recently. If Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez and the Hartford City Council agree, the HPA will lower on-street meter parking rates from $1.50 to $1 per hour, and drop parking rates at the city-owned Church Street and MAT garages from $7 to $3 for the first two hours. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 15, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/hbj_031507.asp

Don't Detour Rail To New Britain Tom Condon expresses the opinion that the New Britain-to-Hartford busway would be a good thing. There are proposals that would redirect a rail line through New Britain which would likely add years to that project and would mean years without transit between Hartford and New Britain. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071909.asp

Don't Let Rail Run Roughshod Over Cities And Towns Toni Gold comments that the $40 million that Connecticut will get from President Obama's $8 billion high-speed rail pot should put the New Haven- Hartford-Springfield commuter project on steroids and help link it to a larger New England system. As a transit advocate, I'm in favor of high-speed rail. But it's hard to imagine the New England built environment absorbing high-speed rail facilities without massive destruction. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 31, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_013110.asp

Don't Sacrifice Place For Cars: How The French Get Cities Right We've learned a great deal about food, wine and fashion from the French. So far, so good. Now we should take a close look at French cities. Where French and U.S. cities differ is in how they accommodate the car. Hartford, hardly alone among U.S. cities and not the worst, nonetheless went way too far in retrofitting itself for the car. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 15, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/smartgrowth/htfd_courant_051511.asp

Don't Sell Bradley Airport – Just Fix It In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that pawning the family jewels is usually a sign of abject desperation saying, “We don't think Connecticut is quite there yet, so let's not sell Bradley International Airport. But let's run it more intelligently.” Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 09, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_050910.asp

DOT Chief Pushing Light Rail As Connecticut's Best Way To Go Throughout the winter, new strategies for improving Connecticut's transportation system have been surfacing at the Capitol: Extend commuter train service to Rhode Island and Massachusetts; build light rail in Stamford; reconstruct aging freight rail lines. In appearances around the state, Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie is citing successes of other states as a powerful reason to beef up Connecticut's rail transit system. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 01, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_030109.asp

DOT Chief: Short Tenure, Right Direction State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph F. Marie, who has been trying to bring high-speed rail to the state, left office in a real hurry recently. Mr. Marie reportedly was summoned to a meeting at the Capitol with a senior administration official. A day later, Gov. M. Jodi Rell's office issued Mr. Marie's two-sentence resignation letter and a brief statement from the governor thanking Mr. Marie for his service. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 02, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_070210.asp

DOT Considering Switching Hartford Carpool Lanes to Tolls The Connecticut Department of Transportation is studying converting the 38 miles of carpool lanes around Greater Hartford into tolled express lanes. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: September 10, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_091012.asp

DOT Offers New Plan For Flower Street Pedestrians: A Detour To Broad Street In exchange for closing part of Flower Street to accommodate the busway, the state is offering to immediately build a 10-foot-wide pathway to Broad Street — and possibly a multimillion-dollar pedestrian overpass sometime in the future. Neighborhood organizations who oppose the Flower Street closing say the ground-level pathway simply isn't enough to help the Frog Hollow businesses that fear losing most of their daily foot traffic. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 24, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_012413.asp

DOT Pays Extravagant Prices For Land On Busway Route In this opinion piece, the author suggests that even though the New Britain-Hartford busway has not been built, taxpayers have already been taken for a pricey ride. The $569 million, 9.4-mile project has been years in the planning. It has boondoggle written on every milepost. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 22, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052211_1.asp

DOT Planning How To Minimize High-Speed Train Noise The plan for a massive expansion of passenger train service in New England would benefit commuters, businesses and the environment, but it could bring unwelcome noise to homeowners along the route, according to a new report. The impact would be especially strong on densely developed communities along the tracks between New Haven and Springfield, the consultants' report said. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 30, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_073010.asp

DOT Plans City Street Improvements As Part Of Busway Project Busway construction during the fall of 2013 will bring changes to Hartford's heavily used Broad Street and Farmington Avenue intersection, and engineers are already designing a much more ambitious overhaul for sometime in 2015. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 21, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072113.asp

DOT Promises To Consider New Designs For Flower Street Bridge After listening to residents use words like "ugly" and "hideous," state engineers recently said they'll try to design a pedestrian bridge over the busway on Flower Street that doesn't use hundreds of feet of switchback ramps. No matter what design is used, CTfastrak engineers said they plan to build a new overhead passageway for pedestrians and bicycle riders by the time the busway starts operations in early 2015. But they also emphasized that they won't sacrifice any part of the CTfastrak system to do it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 16, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_071613.asp

DOT Says At Public Forum On Busway Plan That It Is Moving Forward Although many still oppose the proposed $572 million New Britain-to-Hartford busway, the state is moving forward with the project and hopes to begin construction in West Hartford in the spring of 2011. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 16, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_111610_1.asp

DOT Seeking Input On Slow-Moving Busway Conceived nearly a decade ago to reduce traffic on I-84, the proposed New Britain-to-Hartford busway remains on the drawing board. The project's price tag, about $335 million a few years ago, has ballooned to $570 million; the completion date, originally 2006 or 2007, is now late 2013 at the earliest. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 03, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120308.asp

DOT Seeking Solutions To Problems Caused By Closing Flower Street In Hartford Responding to disgruntled business owners and neighborhood groups, state engineers are examining a compromise on the busway project that would let pedestrians and bicyclists keep using Flower Street. A recent outcry by businesses and residents has the Department of Transportation considering the possibility of building an elevated sidewalk and bike lane over the busway and adjacent rail lines. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 23, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_082312_1.asp

DOT Should Take Another Look At Flower Street Passage In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that there is a valid policy question involved in the Flower Street controversy. If government wants to reduce automobile use, to conserve energy and promote health, should it be making it harder to walk and bike? Flower Street is a short north-south Hartford street that runs from Asylum Avenue across Farmington Avenue to Capitol Avenue. At least, that's where it used to run. It is now temporarily blocked at the railroad tracks between Farmington and Capitol avenues as workers construct the CTfastrak busway. Neighborhood residents, business owners on Capitol and others have battled with the state Department of Transportation for months over whether Flower Street will be permanently closed to bicyclists and pedestrians as well. A decision is expected momentarily from a state hearing officer. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 17, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_051713.asp

DOT Still Headed In The Wrong Direction Toni Gold, a private consultant in Hartford and a member of the boards of 1,000 Friends of Connecticut and of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, expresses the opinion that despite all the happy talk of a brand new transportation day in Connecticut, there seemed to be little understanding of how to implement such a vision, and — worse — no vision. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 25, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_012509.asp

DOT Taps the Brakes on Total Closure of Street At neighborhood meetings, DOT reps informed residents that the plans to close Flower Street were set in stone. One even claimed that it does not matter how many outraged individuals show up at tomorrow’s hearing, opinion will not be swayed by the public. Then, during the DOT “field walk” of the Flower Street site, there was actual discussion between DOT (and its contractors) and residents/stakeholders. The DOT began to entertain the idea of a flyover bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: August 22, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_082212.asp

DOT Wants Higher Fares Anyone up for a cutback in Connecticut's bus and train service coupled with hefty fare increases? The state Department of Transportation is pitching the idea to the public at a series of hearings, and already it's catching flak from several directions. Transit advocates warn that it would drive commuters away, some Metro-North commuters complain it's a hidden tax increase, and a Republican legislator declares it's simply bad policy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 13, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_081311.asp

DOT's Next Stop: Higher Fares Connecticut is jacking up the price to ride commuter buses or trains, but passengers will absorb the hit over several years instead of all at once. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 30, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_093011.asp

DOT: Hearing On Busway Dispute Could Take Days The city of Hartford and CTfastrak designers appear to be digging in for a long and adversarial hearing about what to do with the proposed busway crossing at Flower Street. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 04, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_040413.asp

DOT: Rail Work Along I-91 Corridor Will Pay Benefits Minor traffic delays will continue through 2013 as crews replace signal cables beneath Amtrak crossings between New Haven and Springfield, but transportation officials promise there will be rewards later. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 04, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_070413.asp

DOT: We Are Full-Speed Ahead On The Busway The state transportation department said it's "all aboard" time for the New Britain-to-Hartford busway and plans to formally break ground on the $569 million project in May 2012. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 26, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_042612.asp

Draft I-84 Study This study explores a broad range of replacement options for the I-84 Aetna Viaduct. It is the result of a collaborative planning effort involving the City of Hartford, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) and the Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG). (PDF document, 54 pages) Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: September 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/i-84_DraftReport.pdf

Dutch Connection Finally, some good news. In June 2009, it will again be possible to fly from the banks of the Connecticut River to the banks of the Amstel in Amsterdam. Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced recently that direct flights from Hartford to Amsterdam, canceled earlier this year because of high fuel costs, will return. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 12, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_121208.asp

Dutch Retreat When Bradley’s daily flight to Amsterdam touched down for the final time recently, many in Hartford’s business community mourned the loss of what many had come to believe was a great tool to recruit European businesses to the state. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: October 06, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/hbj_100608.asp

Economics Drive HOV Lane Use It would seem intuitive: If gasoline prices become painful enough, people will find ways to cope, such as car-pooling or using mass transit. Now there are statistics to buttress that assumption in at least one respect. They come in a state Department of Transportation report completed only last month and based upon monitoring of the high-occupancy vehicle lanes on interstates 91, 84 and 384. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 29, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_122906.asp

Eight-Point-Seven-Mile Ride Shows Passengers The Benefits Of Griffin Line Aboard one of the first three passenger trains to Bloomfield in the past half-century, conversation hopped from one ambitious goal to the next: New housing and jobs in Windsor, perhaps an office park in Bloomfield, and surely an infusion of business for downtown. Many of the politicians, business leaders and transit advocates on board ended their ride saying the Griffin Line would make perfect sense as a light rail link from downtown Hartford to Bradley International Airport. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 13, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_071309.asp

Enlivening An Avenue There have been major efforts over the years to "fix Hartford," from Constitution Plaza to the recent "Six Pillars" projects that include the science and convention centers, G. Fox building renovation, housing and riverfront improvements. While these have all helped in some ways — even the plaza, largely considered a failure, kept some major companies in the city — they haven't turned Hartford into a vibrant, prosperous city. Tom Condon suggests that what is needed to accomplish that some kind of engagement — merger, confederation, service-sharing agreement, something — with the region. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 27, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022711.asp

Executive Summary: Hartford East Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study Hartford East Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study. Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, Vernon. In March 2001, the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) adopted its Long Range Transportation Plan which proposes that the Hartford East Corridor be improved using Bus Rapid Transit. Two phases have been proposed. The Near-Term Alternative consists of the construction of transit stations along I-84 and I-384 that would employ the existing HOV lanes. Bus service changes would consist of operating existing local and express routes via HOV lanes and stations, and providing local bus connections to HOV stations. The Long-Term Alternative combines elements of the HOV and initial Rail Corridor alternatives in order to provide the most attractive service benefits of those alternatives. Published by Wilbur Smith Associates for The Connecticut Department of Transportation ; Publication Date: December 2004
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/bus_transit_study.pdf

Families Grapple With Late, Missing School Buses Parents who send their children to Hartford schools have been grappling with late, missed or otherwise problematic buses since classes started Monday, August 25, 2008. District officials said 80 percent of the 12,000 students taking buses made it to school fine, but acknowledged that other students were facing some "serious snags." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 28, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_082808.asp

Federal Agency To Visit New Haven To Discuss Long-Term Rail Plan Federal Railroad Administration staff were in New Haven recently to give updates about planning the long-term overhaul of the highly used rail lines between Boston and Washington, D.C. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 31, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_033113.asp

Federal Cash Will Help Downtown Hartford The news that Hartford was notified recently that it has won a $10 million TIGER IV (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation amounts to glad tidings for three reasons. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 29, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_062912.asp

Federal Stimulus Money, In Some Cases, Only Indirectly Benefits Connecticut State officials are putting $70.9 million in transportation stimulus money toward the purchase of 136 new buses, but the expenditure is not expected to create any jobs in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 11, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_061109.asp

Federal Transportation Grants Likely In Fall, Connecticut Officials Say Stung by Connecticut's embarrassing shutout in the competition for $1.5 billion in federal transportation grants, the state's congressional delegation recently pressed Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to make it up when he hands out the next round of money in October 2010. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 23, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022310.asp

Fewer Buses This Fall: More Hartford Students Will Walk To School More city students will be walking to class and fewer riding buses this fall because school officials are cutting $4 million from the $23 million transportation account to close a school budget gap and spare classrooms and teaching staff from cuts. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 29, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_062909.asp

Fifteen Percent Bus Fare Increase Sought Thousands of bus riders in Connecticut may want to start setting aside more money for January 2014, when fares are scheduled to increase an average of 15 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 02, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_090213.asp

Final Weekend For Traffic On Hartford's Flower Street Downtown drivers looking to cut between Farmington and Capitol avenues will need to find an alternative to Flower Street. The state transportation department plans to close Flower to car and truck traffic permanently on December 4, 2012. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 30, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_113012.asp

Finally, The Busway It's taken much longer than it should have, but the Hartford-New Britain busway is now, thankfully, a go. Officials announced the commitment of $275 million in new federal aid to the project at a ceremony at Central Connecticut State University. The money will allow the state to break ground, probably in March, for the 9.4-mile bus-only roadway between downtown New Britain and downtown Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 21, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_112111_1.asp

First Fix Roads, Then Build School As the state-vs.-city brouhaha over the site selection for Pathways has unfolded, the state Department of Transportation has proposed to spend $100 million to make "improvements" to I-84 in this area In this Commentary on the failed location of the Pathways to Technology Interdistrict Magnet School, Tyler Smith asks “What if?” What if DOT officials did a makeover of the highway and highway-access infrastructure from Union Station to Broad Street? What if they introduced wide, attractive sidewalks, crosswalks and other pedestrian amenities in this area? Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 18, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_031807.asp

Five Names Put To A Vote To Rename Downtown Hartford's Star Shuttle Five final suggestions for renaming the Star Shuttle downtown bus line were chosen from public submissions, and people now have until Friday to vote for the new name. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 06, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_080612.asp

Flower Street Debunking: Setting The Record Safe The Department of Transportation claims that the Flower Street closure is a matter of public safety, but residents who live here 24/7 have observed how unsafe this maneuver would turn out to be. Doubtless, Courant (et al) employees would be inconvenienced by having parking lot access disrupted when Flower Street is blocked. There would be added congestion in areas because of this. But ten minutes of added drive time is nothing compared to other headaches likely to emerge if the DOT proceeds as they intend. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: August 19, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_081912.asp

Flower Street Shenanigans In mid-October, we reported the appearance of stop signs on Flower Street, which indicated that Department of Transportation contractors were preparing the area for the shutting down the street. Michael Sanders, Public Transit Administrator at the Connecticut DOT, vehemently denied these signs had any connection to the government agency. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: November 15, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_111512.asp

Flower Street: No becomes what do you think we can reconsider? Not until employees of the Department of Transportation were asked about next steps in the process, at the very end of a two hour meeting, did they bother to dispense with one major detail: the hearing officer has not yet made a decision about whether or not Flower Street could be closed. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: September 26, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_092612.asp

For Hartford In this editorial, the Courant suggests that Mayor Perez should put his imagination and energy to best use building the local economy and getting Hartford residents involved in it. The article suggests a number of initiatives and approaches that would improve Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 30, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_123007.asp

Fort Would Make Dutch Connection Mike McGarry expresses the opinion that the announcement that Northwest Airlines will start daily nonstop service next summer between Amsterdam and Bradley International Airport will change our lives in Greater Hartford to a degree little understood today. For many travelers in Southern New England and New York, the time devoted to European trips will be halved. Our new connection with the Dutch will bring substantial benefits to travelers and businesses. One way to celebrate and enhance the new air service would be to join New York in a major celebration of our Dutch heritage. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/History/htfd_courant_112606.asp

Forward On Busway: Benefits Of Transit Corridor Are Clear In this opinion piece, the author suggests that by this summer, hundreds of people could be put to work on the New Britain-to-Hartford busway project, helping to jump-start the state's economy while serving commuters along I-84. The same cannot be said of the proposed revitalization of the Waterbury-to-Hartford commuter rail service that opponents of the busway are touting. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 20, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032011.asp

Four-Million-Two-Hundred-Thousand Dollar Federal Grant Goes To Greater Hartford Greater Hartford landed a $4.2 million federal grant recently to plan transportation and housing initiatives, and New Haven received $16 million to start reconstructing part of Route 34 as an urban boulevard. The Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant for the Hartford region will be used to plan housing near the proposed New Britain-to-Hartford busway and along the route of the Springfield-to-New Haven rail line. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 15, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_101510.asp

From Paris To Portland, A Desire For Streetcars Norman W. Garrick suggests we consider the potential for urban transformation of putting a tramway on Farmington Avenue in Hartford or on the Post Road in lower Fairfield County. Trams would convert these abused bits of urban fabric from auto-dominated places that we simply want to pass through to urban corridors of life and vitality that could activate their host cities. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 21, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_012107.asp

Fuel Cell Bus Debuts In City The first bus in New England to be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell made its debut recently in Hartford, quietly navigating downtown streets and emitting no harmful fumes. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 11, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_041107.asp

Fuel Prices Ground Flights From Hartford To Europe The decision by Northwest Airlines to cancel its year-old flight between Hartford and Amsterdam squashes what Connecticut leaders hailed as a dream come true, a path to Europe that went beyond travel to stimulate commerce with the rest of the world. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 28, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_062808.asp

Future Regional Transportation Planning for the Connecticut River Corridor Over the past three years, local and regional governments along the Connecticut River Valley Corridor have come together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. They have worked with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, an international association of local governments, to put together a vision and five-year plan. Phase 1 of the project yielded general recommendations for the Corridor, the first document listed below. The second document listed below is a more detailed plan for the future. Published by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability ; Publication Date: September 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_093008.asp

Gas Tax Hike Takes Us Where We Need To Go In this opinion piece, the author suggests that to help us change our driving habits, the state and federal government must tax gasoline at a level that encourages us to drive less or drive more efficient vehicles. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 22, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022209.asp

Get Moving On Busway Preparations Tom Condon expresses the opinion that the proposed Hartford-New Britain Busway has become such a punching bag that even disgraced former Gov. John Rowland has been bashing it. not for the first time, he's wrong. We can allow this to fail or we can make it succeed. Gov. Dannel Malloy was right to push ahead with it, because - with some imagination - it can be part of the structure of smart growth in the Capital region. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 12, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_061211.asp

Get on the Bus This paper presents some personal thoughts of the author, Anton Rick-Ossen, about the Hartford bus system. Mr. Rick-Ossen makes extensive use of the CT Transit system. For this paper, he also conducted a survey and interviewed local CT Transit and Department of Public Works officials. (PDF document, 25 pages) Published by Anton Rick-Ossen ; Publication Date: June 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/Get_on_the_bus.pdf

Getting Main Street On Track In this opinion piece, Toni Gold writes that the five well-attended public sessions that Hartford's Department of Development Services has been running to gather input for the city's plan of conservation and development have repeatedly evoked several clear, related responses: "We want a more walkable, bikeable, green and transit-friendly city, better design and maintenance of the public realm, and a reduction in the dominance of the automobile." And the undercurrent, "Be bold." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 27, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_122709.asp

Getting New England Back On Track New England's governors announced recently that they will go after federal stimulus funds to upgrade and extend rail lines. Now they must build their campaign with local political leaders. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 16, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_071609.asp

Getting There: Transportation in Hartford Video A video of the April 30, 2007 community program, Getting There: Transportation in Hartford, held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: April 30, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_04_30_2007.asp

Global Gateways: International Aviation in Metropolitan America An analysis of international commercial air travel passenger levels within the United States’ global aviation network reveals that International air travel in and out of the United States more than doubled between 1990 and 2011, however in the Hartford area, it has dropped by 20%. (PDF document, 28 pages) Published by Brookings ; Publication Date: October 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/global_aviation.pdf

Go For The Rail Money In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that good commuter rail service could lead to population growth for the towns along the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line. Thus it was encouraging to hear President Barack Obama name the corridor as one that may be eligible for part of $13 billion in stimulus funds for high-speed rail service. Get those trains running every half-hour, and every town along the line will benefit. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 27, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_042709.asp

Going Forward In this opinion piece, the author suggests that Connecticut has undergone a sea change from its past highway-centered transportation policy. The General Assembly and Gov. M. Jodi Rell have made mass transit a state priority, and the Obama Administration has focused interest and resources on the development of transit systems, bringing renewed emphasis to investment in mass transit in our state. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 28, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_062809.asp

Gold Recognized For Urban Vision, Advocacy Toni A. Gold, the Hartford planner and transportation consultant, is this year's winner of the Connecticut Main Street Center's CL&P Award, given for outstanding contributions to the revitalization of Connecticut's historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. If we were writing the inscription, it would read "To the Jane Jacobs of Hartford." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 26, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_042613.asp

Good Time For Transit In this editorial, the Hartford Courant suggests that for a state that dearly needs to complete a transit project, it's been a good year so far. First, Connecticut landed $40 million for the New Haven-to-Springfield rail corridor. Then the White House proposed a $45 million allocation for the New Britain-to-Hartford busway. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 12, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_021210.asp

Goofus and Gallant Go To Work at CONNDOT Last Thursday evening, at the Studio at Billings Forge, representatives from the Frog Hollow NRZ, the Asylum Hill NRZ, and the City of Hartford, along with concerned neighbors, met with Hartford’s Development Director Tom Deller and DPW Director Kevin Burnham and Connecticut DOT officials. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: May 02, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_news_050213.asp

Gov. Dannel Malloy Green-Lights the Controversial New Britain-Hartford Busway Line Fear of losing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal cash that's already been set aside for the controversial New Britain-Hartford Busway was a driving force behind Gov. Dannel Malloy's decision to give the green light to the $570 million, 9.4-mile-long project. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: April 06, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_040611.asp

Gov. Malloy Makes Right Call On Busway In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that rush-hour traffic in Greater Hartford is a purgatorial drag, congested and chaotic, stressful on a good day, intolerable when weather or an accident impedes traffic. The region desperately needs some different ways to get around. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy took a major step in this direction recently when he gave the go-ahead for the Hartford-New Britain busway. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 04, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_040411_1.asp

Grant To Reduce Speeding In Hartford State Senator John Fonfara and Rep. Hector Robles announced recently a $250,000 grant to assist the City of Hartford with its ongoing plans for traffic calming measures. The grant was approved at today's meeting of the State Bond Commission. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 23, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/cityline_122310.asp

Green-Light The Busway In this editorial, the Hartford Courant suggests that in the two decades after World War II, when gas and cars were cheap, Connecticut went on a highway-building binge that all but obliterated other modes of ground transportation. Things have changed. The busway should be given the green light. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 20, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032011_2.asp

Hamzy, Former GOP State Chairman, Endorses Hartford-To-Waterbury Rail Line In another sign that the dispute over the Hartford-to-New Britain busway isn't splitting along partisan lines, a prominent Republican has endorsed a Hartford-to-Waterbury rail alternative instead. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 01, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030110_1.asp

Hartford 2010 Trident Reports The Hartford 2010 final report, developed by the City of Hartford and the MetroHartford Alliance, identified six "tridents" (major intersections) in the city that would provide excellent locations to focus on for development. The report suggested that each of the tridents in Hartford be explored by a subcommittee, charged with making recommendations for changes in the land use, zoning, transportation infrastructure, streetscape improvements, and other aspects of the intersections. Published by MetroHartford Alliance ; Publication Date: January 2009
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/EconomicDevelopment/wsd_012309.asp

Hartford City Council Abandons Parking Lease Idea The city's proposal to seek bids for a long-term lease of its parking system has been indefinitely tabled. Council members, who set aside the idea a second time earlier this week, said it's not likely to come up for a vote anytime soon. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 31, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_033111.asp

Hartford Gets $10 Million Grant For Transportation Improvements The city of Hartford was awarded a $10 million federal grant recently to improve public transportation in the region and to reduce the reliance on automobiles. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 21, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_062112.asp

Hartford Hosting National Model Railroad Convention More than 1,000 model train enthusiasts were expected in the city of Hartford recently for the annual convention of the National Model Railroad Association held at the Connecticut Convention Center. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_070609.asp

Hartford I-84 Viaduct Presentations, Newsletters, Videos, and News Articles The I-84 elevated viaduct in Hartford, also known as the Aetna Viaduct, is under study. It is in need of immediate repair. Public workshops and discussions with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the City of Hartford, the citizen's group "The Hub of Hartford," Connecticut Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) and others have resulted in many documents, newsletters, reports, videos and news articles. They are collected here for easy access. Published by HartfordInfo.org
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_viaduct_wrapper.asp

Hartford I-84 Viaduct Study Website The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) recently completed an evaluation of the I-84 viaduct in Hartford. ConnDOT recognizes there is a need to begin the planning and community involvement process for the longer-term reconstruction or replacement of the Viaduct. The City of Hartford, working through a committee of stakeholders entitled the HUB of Hartford, and CRCOG have agreed to undertake the initial phase of this process. CRCOG is managing this phase of the Viaduct planning process on behalf of the City and has created this website. Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: November 10, 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_111009.asp

Hartford Isn't Backing Away From Battle Over Busway Plan The city and two neighborhood organizations insist they support the new busway, but are pressing their fight to keep it from shutting down pedestrian traffic along Flower Street. Leaders of the Frog Hollow and Asylum Hill Neighborhood Revitalization Zones are arguing that the state transportation department is hurting neighborhoods and local businesses in its zeal to build the $567 million busway to New Britain. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 15, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_021513.asp

Hartford Launches 60-Foot-Long, Bendy Buses, Citing Economy And Better Chances For A Seat Hundreds of CT Transit riders on busy Park Street and Farmington Avenue routes are in store for a new ride — and a much better chance for a seat. New 60-foot-long, two-section buses are scheduled to begin shuttling passengers soon. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 11, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_011112.asp

Hartford Mayor's Shift On Flower Street Closure Upsets Business Owners, Residents Virginia Iacobucci said business declined at her coffeehouse when busway construction in December blocked cars from reaching it by using Flower Street. She now wonders if her business, La Paloma Sabanera, will survive if pedestrian and bike traffic from Flower Street is shut down, too. Residents of the Asylum Hill and Frog Hollow neighborhoods say the CTfastrak busway is splitting the city and hurting businesses by shutting off Flower Street, a north-south connector between the insurance office buildings on Farmington Avenue and the merchants of Capitol Avenue. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 10, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_051013.asp

Hartford Mulls Spending $2.5M For New Garage At Public Safety Complex The city is proposing setting aside $2.5 million to build a new parking structure near its public safety complex to address concerns over a shortage of parking at the facility, which opened in January 2013. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 11, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_031113.asp

Hartford Parking Authority Launches Redesigned Website Want to check the up-to-the-second Hartford traffic situation before heading out for work? Such a feature, and several others, have been added to a redesigned Hartford Parking Authority website. The site features live camera views of I-84 and I-91, as well as updated traffic reports from the state Department of Transportation and road closures from the Metropolitan District. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 07, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_080712.asp

Hartford Parking Authority Sued The Hartford Parking Authority is being sued because it does not have a full, five-member board. The board currently has only two members: Patricia LeShane, the chairwoman, and Kenneth B. Lerman, the commissioner. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 07, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_010711_1.asp

Hartford Pulls Out Of Flower Street Busway Fight In an abrupt reversal, the city has dropped all opposition to closing Flower Street to accommodate the New-Britain-to-Hartford busway. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 08, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_050813.asp

Hartford Ranks Fifth Worst City In Safe Driver Report Hartford drivers are among the most unsafe in the nation, and drivers who live in New Haven are getting worse, according to a new Allstate Insurance report released recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 08, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_090810.asp

Hartford Scores Lots of people talk about traffic woes in Hartford, and it can famously back up when repair crews set up shop. But Kiplinger's has named the state's capital one of the "10 Best Cities for Commuters." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 03, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_030311_1.asp

Hartford Shelves Parking Plan; Amnesty Pays City leaders' scuttling of a proposal to privatize its public parking spaces means it will turn attention to maximizing revenue from contractors who manage its three largest sites, authorities say. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: March 31, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/hbj_033111.asp

Hartford Shuttle Can Take Big Step In this opinion piece, the author suggests that it's time to expand the route of downtown's Star Shuttle circulator bus. A wider loop would make public transit more accessible to a wider range of passengers and create synergy between institutions in and around downtown. Currently, the Star Shuttle goes no further south than Arch Street, and that for just one block, and no further west than Union Place. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 13, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_091309.asp

Hartford Traffic Calming Master Plan Drawings The maps and drawings which accompanied the Hartford Traffic Calming Master Plan. The plan presents ideas and concepts for a variety of traffic calming and traffic management strategies developed through community meetings. The aim is to improve safety, access, mobility, quality of life and livability. Published by City of Hartford ; Publication Date: July 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/wsd_102306.asp Related Link(s): Urban Engineers

Hartford's Bus System Needs Hub Hartford's bus system could be better if only for some little things. The quality of bus shelters, the availability of maps and timetables, and the timeliness of service are some of those little things. One of the big things that's holding back Hartford's bus system is the way all routes merge into chaos downtown at Main Street. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 28, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022810_1.asp

Hartford's Crackdown On Unpaid Parking Violations Nets $98,000 In 3 Months Since the Hartford Parking Authority began cracking down on unpaid parking violations in June 2012, it has collected more than three times the money from penalties than it did during the same period last year, parking officials said. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 12, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_091212.asp

Hartford's Interstate Mistake Hartford neighborhoods cut off by an elevated stretch of I-84 are pushing hard to reconnect to the city's downtown. Momentum is building to somehow eliminate the elevated stretch of Interstate 84 between Sisson and Asylum avenues — popularly known as the Aetna Viaduct. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: April 10, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_041008.asp

Hartford's Opportunity High School Graduates 45 The graduating class at Opportunity High School consisted of just 45 students, and the families, including some youngsters who were the children of the graduates themselves, barely filled the small gymnasium's bleachers. But although the ceremony may have been modest, there was plenty of energy. Several members of the audience were attending their first graduation ceremony, cheering loudly as students draped in black and yellow gowns accepted their diplomas. They were in the third graduating class from the alternative education program for city teenagers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 07, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_060713.asp

Hartford's Star Shuttle Spared The state Department of Transportation says it will not make any cuts to commuter rail and bus service, which means that Hartford's free downtown shuttle will continue to run. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: October 03, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/jcohen_100311.asp

Hartford, State In Talks Over Purchase Of Morgan Street Garage The state is in talks with the city to purchase the Morgan Street garage, officials from both sides have said. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 12, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_031213_2.asp

Hartford-New Britain Busway Projected For Service In 2013 If the federal government comes through with $275 million later this year, just how soon could commuters expect that rapid transit buses would begin shuttling between New Britain and Hartford on a new buses-only highway? Sometime in late 2013, according to state transportation officials. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_051909.asp

HARTFORD-SPRINGFIELD: Potential: Rail Line Links Cities' Fortunes Tom Condon asks, “Can "Hartford-Springfield" be more than an airport designation?” The opportunity for a stronger relationship was put dramatically on the table in the spring when the Connecticut General Assembly voted to fund commuter rail service on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 2, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_070206_a.asp

Hartford-To-Holland Winner Dutch explorers came to Hartford in the early 17th century and opened a trading post at what is still called Dutch Point. So there's a certain historical symmetry in Amsterdam being the terminus for Hartford's first regular trans-Atlantic air service. The recent announcement that Northwest Airlines will start daily, nonstop service next summer between Amsterdam and Bradley International Airport is, of course, good news. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_101506.asp

Hartford: It's A Parking Place For the past half-century, city leaders in Hartford have worked hard to satisfy what they deemed to be a critical need — the need for more parking, so that downtown Hartford could compete with suburban office parks and shopping centers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 22, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_112209.asp

Hartford’s Plan of Conservation and Development Must Be More Aggressive Toni Gold, resident and one of the panelists at a recent forum on transportation, commented that the new Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) must be less timid and more aggressive if it is to be successful. The packed house of audience participants seemed to agree with her. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: November 21, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/realhtfd_112109.asp

Healing The Divide In this commentary, the author expresses the opinion that the over-dependency in the U.S. on cars is perhaps the leading reason so many of the central cities are struggling to regain urban vitality. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_041308_1.asp

Hearing Held On Hartford, New Britain Busway Proposal Plans for the New Britain busway were aired at a public meeting recently. The busway, proposed in the late 1990s to ease congestion on central Connecticut highways, would have buses running regular routes on a buses-only roadway that would be built along old rail lines. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 21, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_052109.asp

High Speed & Intercity Rail Meeting at Union Station Staff members from the CT Department of Transportation presented information and study updates pertaining to high speed and intercity rail recently. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: July 30, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_073010.asp

High-Speed Rail Can Wait For Better Connecticut Service First Amtrak recently announced its long-term, $151 billion vision for updating the Northeast Corridor, which includes plans for a separate, dedicated high-speed right-of-way for trains traveling 220 mph between Washington and Boston. In Connecticut, one possible route would go through Danbury, Waterbury and Hartford and then through the eastern part of the state to Providence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 20, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_082012.asp

High-Speed Rail Funding: $40 Million Is Just A First Step In Funding Nearly Billion-Dollar Project Several leading Connecticut politicians gathered at Union Station recently to exchange congratulations and celebrate landing $40 million in federal money for high-speed rail. They didn't mention that they still need about $1 billion more to complete the project. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 30, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_013010_1.asp

High-Speed Rail Support Isn't Small Change The state will receive $40 million for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line from President Barack Obama's $8 billion high-speed rail stimulus package. Although states such as Florida and California got larger slices of the pie, ours is not insignificant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 30, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_013010.asp

High-Speed Rail, Or Business As Usual? Rick Green writes that If this new railroad line between New Haven and Springfield is such a good idea, why are our leaders doing their petulant best to ruin its chances? We need to show that we want this economy-changing transportation investment. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 08, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120809.asp

High-Speed Trains Could Come To State By 2030 — And Keep Going Amtrak's long-term proposal to build a rail line along an entirely new route diagonally across Connecticut has recently been released. Amtrak's 30-year "NextGen High-Speed Rail Alignment" would send Boston-to-Washington express trains hurtling at 220 mph through Connecticut without stopping anywhere in the state. Its second-tier express service would offer just three Connecticut stops: Hartford, Waterbury and Danbury. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 19, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_081912.asp

Highway Exit? A forum held at the Hartford Public Library recently discussed the future of I-84 in Hartford. The talk was organized by Hub of Hartford (HOH), which was created to examine ways in which I-84 can be modified for the good of Hartford. The State Department of Transportation recently agreed to work with HOH on future plans for the highway, especially the “Aetna Viaduct,” the raised portion of the highway that runs through Hartford from Parkville to the Connecticut River. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: April 17, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_news_041708.asp

Highway Tolls: A Way To Cut Connecticut's Gas Tax? Commuters and retailers in Enfield and Danbury share one reaction to the idea of highway tolls at the state's borders: "Forget it." Charging drivers who use Connecticut's highways is among the more controversial proposals before the General Assembly this year. Advocates aren't united on exactly who to charge or where to charge, and opponents have a time-tested argument to any plan: People don't like tolls. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 19, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021911.asp

Holes In The Fabric Of Hartford In this commentary, Tom Condon suggests that the most pressing structural need in downtown Hartford is to fill in the blanks - build something on the many asphalt oases, now used as surface parking lots, where once there were buildings. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 12, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_031206.asp

Housing Key To Transit Finally, Connecticut is getting serious about transit. Many experts persuasively argue that a commuter rail lines and busways can relieve congestion and auto emissions, create jobs and stimulate Connecticut's economy. Transit makes sense for many reasons. But what doesn't get enough attention is housing and other development near transit stations. Housing is the missing link that makes transit work. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 01, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/housing/htfd_courant_030109.asp

How About Parking Permits? This Courant editorial suggests that the problem of resident parking in older neighborhoods such as on Seymour Street could be solved by providing residents with city-issued parking stickers or permits, as is typically done in cities and suburban towns where housing and commercial areas coexist. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 6, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_070606.asp

How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Busway Rick Green writes after flirting with the opposition for months, he’s jumping aboard the $567 million mass transit line that critics like to deride as the bus to nowhere. The great irony here is that it may actually make it easier for a lot of folks to get in and out of Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 21, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_112111.asp

Hybrid Buses a Hit, So Far Hybrid-electric diesel buses, currently being test-driven by Connecticut Transit, outperform and are more environmentally friendly than diesel buses. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022805.asp

I Hear A Train, Comin' Down The Track Rick Green writes about the possibility of a commuter rail line from Waterbury to Berlin. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 26, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_062609.asp

I-84 In Hartford Needs Creativity, But Not Big Dig Kind Rick Green writes that like most area residents, he is an expert on I-84 in Hartford. he drives on top of it, beneath it and around it. When he heard about folks who want to tear it down and bury the elevated portion of I-84 through Hartford, he laughed out loud. What we don't need is a Big Dig boondoggle. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 20, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_112009.asp

I-84 Viaduct Plans Create New Busway Controversy With regional planners discussing ways to redesign I-84 through downtown, business leader Michael Nicastro of Bristol says their idea should be enough to kill the long-planned busway to New Britain. Regional planners are discussing ways to redesign I-84 as it passes through downtown Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 06, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_110610.asp

I-84 Viaduct Study, Public Workshop #2 Video A video of the March 25, 2010 community program, I-84 Viaduct Study, Public Workshop #2, held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: March 25, 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_03_25_2010.asp

I-84 Viaduct Study, Public Workshop #2 Summary Draft A summary of the second public workshop held on March 25, 2010 for the I-84 Viaduct Study (PDF document, 12 pages) Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: March 25, 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_viaduct_wrapper.asp

I-84's Viaduct In Hartford Needs Replacing; Some Say Do Away With It The elevated stretch of I-84 that carves through the west side of Hartford into downtown is often criticized as brutally ugly, disruptive, noisy and a bottomless pit for expensive maintenance. The state has known for years that it's facing a hugely expensive and politically contentious decision about the three-quarter-mile long viaduct, which has been degraded by decades of relentless traffic and ruthless New England weather. Connecticut's choices are to rebuild the viaduct with a few improvements, convert it into a surface-level boulevard, dig a Boston-style tunnel to run it underground or perhaps try some combination of those choices, according to the consultants. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 21, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_032110.asp

Idea Of Commuter Rail Service Between Springfield And New Haven Gets Boost The long-discussed idea to create commuter train service between New Haven and Springfield got a shot of turbo-momentum recently when President Barack Obama announced a $13 billion stimulus package that might pay for it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 17, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_041709.asp

Ill-Conceived Order Will Hurt Businesses — And Public Service This commentary suggests that Gov. M. Jodi Rell's executive order to ban outdoor advertising on state property has numerous and profound unintended economic consequences for businesses that depend on their ability to advertise in this medium. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 24, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022408.asp

In The Busway's Path The New Britain-Hartford busway is still just a proposal, but for property owners along the 9-mile route it's already a harsh reality. Even though debate continues over whether the $569 million busway should even be built, the state has spent millions taking properties through eminent domain and demolishing buildings along the proposed route. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 26, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072609.asp

Intermodal Triangle Project Feigns Interest in Encouraging Cyclists The East Coast Greenway runs from Canada to Key West. One of its attractive features is that 25% of the route is on traffic-free paths; in Connecticut, 28% of it is separated from traffic. Those who are bike commuters often have no choice but to use streets; having a piece of one’s route be separated from motor vehicle traffic is welcomed. In conversations at iQuilt Plan sessions, it became immediately clear that planners had no idea that the East Coast Greenway already weaves through Bushnell Park. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 08, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_090812.asp

Interstate 84 Viaduct Study Community Summit Video A video of the October 27, 2010 community program, Interstate 84 Viaduct Study Community Summit, held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: October 27, 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_10_27_2010.asp

Interstate 84 Viaduct Study Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 1 A newsletter documenting progress in the study of the I-84 Aetna Viaduct in Hartford by The Hub of Hartford Steering Committee. (PDF document, 4 pages) Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: November 10, 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/20091106ViaductNewsletter1.pdf

Interstate 84 Viaduct Study Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 1 A newsletter documenting progress in the study of the I-84 Aetna Viaduct in Hartford by The Hub of Hartford Steering Committee. (PDF document, 4 pages) Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: March 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_031510.asp

Interstate 84 Viaduct Study Newsletter, Volume 3 A newsletter documenting progress in the study of the I-84 Aetna Viaduct in Hartford by The Hub of Hartford Steering Committee. (PDF document, 4 pages) Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: October 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/20101022ViaductNewsletter3.pdf

Interstate 84 Viaduct Study, Public Workshop #1, Public Presentation, November 19, 2009 A presentation made at the first public workshop on the future of the Aetna viaduct, held on November 19, 2009. (PDf document, 69 pages) Published by City of Hartford
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/viaduct_public_presentation_111909.pdf

Is the State Spending Wisely on Multiple Studies of Future Transportation Projects? In 2002, state transportation officials hired a consultant,Wilbur Smith Associates, to study the possibility of creating commuter rail service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield. The cost of the study was $940,000. Nearly a decade later, that consultant is still working on the revised and expanded rail project. The cost of the state's contract with Wilbur Smith has mushroomed to about $5.5 million. Officials say this consulting job should be wrapped up in another two years. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: May 04, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_050411.asp

Is Too Much Parking Throttling Hartford? Research by two University of Connecticut engineering scholars indicates Hartford is being consumed by parking lots. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 05, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120511.asp

It's Arch Vs. Autos The city's historic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch was damaged again recently when a motorist hit the structure. The crash knocked out a sizable section of the brownstone bridge leading up to the arch on its north side. The sixth such accident in two years is frustrating to protectors of the arch. But its timing is fortuitous. It comes just as the Bushnell Park Foundation is poised to approve a major street redesign plan aimed at discouraging speeding and reckless driving around the arch. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 31, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/Parks/htfd_courant_123105.asp

JetBlue CEO Says Airline's Coming To Bradley JetBlue's chief executive flew to Hartford recently to confirm the discount airline's plans to start service from Bradley International Airport to Florida, a step, he said, that could lead to additional routes later, possibly San Juan, Puerto Rico. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 20, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_042010.asp

JetBlue Close To Making Deal For Service At Bradley International Airport JetBlue Airways and Bradley International Airport are close to announcing the discount carrier's plans to start flying from Connecticut, most likely to and from Florida and possibly San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to a source familiar with the plan. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 14, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_041410.asp

JetBlue: Bradley Hartford Unlikely To Attract New Long-Haul Flights Cities such as Hartford are not part of the resurgence in travel spending, top executives at JetBlue and Starwood hotels both said — and that leaves Bradley International Airport in a poor position to attract new long-haul airline flights. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 05, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_100510.asp

Joe Marie Gets Rocket-Style Ejected From the Transportation Commissioner's Seat. Great. NOW What? Joe Marie’s rocket-style ejection from the transportation commissioner’s seat is only the latest spin of the constantly revolving door of the Connecticut DOT’s leadership office. Rell administration insiders, lawmakers and DOT employees agree this extraordinary turnover is one of the underlying reasons why efforts to reform Connecticut’s transportation department have been so incredibly frustrating. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: July 13, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_071310.asp

Key City Posts Finally Filled Since June, the five-member Hartford Parking Authority board had been limping along with just three members; since November, with only two. In fact, the authority was sued when the two members voted in December to end a contract with a vendor — because the Municipal Code requires that a majority of at least three be present to vote on an issue. It took until last week to fully restock the board because, Mayor Pedro Segarra said, he had trouble finding qualified candidates who want to serve. That doesn't speak well of a city of Hartford's size and illustrious history of civic engagement. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 31, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_013111.asp

Key GOP Congressman Backs High-Speed Rail Line In Connecticut Despite growing tea party opposition to high-speed train proposals, a powerful Republican congressman recently publicly endorsed building Connecticut's high-speed line as part of a larger Amtrak initiative. U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, the newly appointed chairman of the House railroad subcommittee, told a group of New England political leaders that he supports the proposed $1 billion New Haven-to-Springfield line, envisioning it as part of a high-speed rail network that would link Boston, Montreal, Manhattan, Albany and Washington, D.C. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 28, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_012811.asp

Lawyers, Engineers Gear Up For Fight Over Busway Crossing On Flower Street A dispute between the busway and the city of Hartford has both sides digging in for what shapes up to be a long and adversarial hearing in April. At issue is whether busway contractors will be allowed to shut down the Flower Street pedestrian crossing starting in June. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 24, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032413.asp

Legislators Making Bid To Stop Busway Project Three Republican state legislators recently proposed a bill to stop the New-Britain-to-Hartford busway, and a Democratic lawmaker sponsored a measure to cap its budget at its current estimated cost, $567 million. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 22, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022212.asp

Let Bradley Airport Stretch Wings Tom Condon comments that Bradley International Airport is one of few airports in the country run by a state Department of Transportation. Most are run by independent, self-funded airport authorities or boards. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120609.asp

Let's Extend Griffin Rail Line To Bradley Airport To transit activists, the Griffin Rail Line is a symbol of lost opportunity. In 1998, a proposal to extend the line to Bradley Airport and use it for rail passenger service was shot down by lack of regional consensus and a state Department of Transportation still firmly committed to highways. More than 80 public officials, activists, business people and reporters recently toured the state-owned line, which runs from Union Station in Hartford to the Day Hill Road/ Blue Hills Avenue area in Windsor. Enough has changed that we should take another look at using the Griffin Line for commuter rail service and extending it five miles to Bradley Airport. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_071909_2.asp

Let's Get Going On Busway In this opinion piece, the author suggests that the General Assembly should vote "yes" and fund the Hartford- New Britain busway. For starters, public transportation is a solution to many of today's challenges. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 02, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_050210_2.asp

Let's Put Springfield-New Haven Train On Fast Track Before We Start Dreaming About Boston Rick Green writes that after reading a tantalizing new master plan for train travel in the Northeast from the folks at Amtrak he’s dreaming of taking a bullet train to Boston to see the Red Sox play. They envision a bullet train system rocketing from New York to Boston at speeds of 220 mph. This $150 billion plan is a blueprint for Amtrak for the next 30 years. It would have a startling impact on Connecticut. But, he thinks the state should concentrate on the plans that are already in place. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 16, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071612.asp

Life Near The Train When Connecticut was at its economic zenith, we had diverse, interesting, densely populated cities served by roads and trains. After decades of poorly planned suburban sprawl, most policy makers are willing to concede that the original settlement pattern had something to recommend it. This is the thinking that supports transit-oriented development, or TOD, generally defined as development within a half-mile of a transit station or stop. The idea has broad support. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 26, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032612.asp

Long Busway Vehicle A Hit With Onlookers An odd-looking bus with two sections and an accordion center turned heads recently during a stop at city hall in New Britain. In about five years, the elongated buses should be a common sight, quickly transporting commuters the 10 miles between downtown New Britain and Hartford's Union Station. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_030107.asp

Long-Distance Runaround Everyone seems to agree that an ambitious New Haven/Hartford/Springfield commuter rail plan is an inspiring idea, but is it realistic? Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: July 21, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_advocate_072109.asp

Luring Cars Back To Hartford For years, Hartford's parking priorities have worked against the downtown's best interests. But now Mayor Pedro Segarra and the city council have switched gears and approved incentive pricing to draw visitors to city garages. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 22, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_112210.asp

Making Sense Of The Busway's Huge Cost The federal government upped its support for the 9.4-mile New Britain-to-Hartford busway to $455 million. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 22, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_112211.asp

Malloy Announces Federal Funding For Rail Project Another $121 million in federal funding has been committed to a high-speed rail project linking New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: October 01, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/jcohen_100112.asp

Malloy To Pursue Hartford-New Britain Busway Gov. Dannel P. Malloy recently threw his support behind construction of a $567 million New Britain-to-Hartford busway that he said could begin operating in 2014. Malloy's decision follows years of debate about the future of mass transit in central Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 04, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_040411.asp

Malloy: Transportation Plan Working Despite harsh criticism on some fronts, the New-Britain-to-Hartford busway will turn out to be a hit with commuters -- and a bargain, too, said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 16, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_011612.asp

Many Parking Fees Reduced The good news for motorists in downtown Hartford: Soon it will be less expensive to park in metered spaces and in two of three city-owned garages. The bad news: Park too long at a meter, and the ticket will cost you 67 percent more. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 13, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_061307.asp

Map of Hartford Streets A map of the streets of Hartford, which includes a street index. (PDF file, 1 page, 1 MB) Published by City of Hartford, Development Services Department, Planning Division ; Publication Date: 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/Hartford_street_map_2008.pdf

Maps of Hartford This page shows a collection of maps of Hartford - street maps with index, Hartford neighorhoods, Hartford zip codes, and more. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: September 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_maps_wrapper.asp

Markley: Busway Construction Too Close To Fairview Cemetery Gesturing toward the path that busway construction crews cleared through the center of Fairview Cemetery, Sen. Joe Markley said recently he's more convinced than ever that the project is a mistake. But the state transportation department said that's simply not true. Contractors are being meticulous to avoid disturbing gravesites or headstones. Workers are staying entirely within the old railroad right-of-way that Connecticut has owned for many decades. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071312.asp

Massachusetts Company Lands $130m Busway Job Buoyed by winning a long-awaited permit, the state transportation department recently hired a Massachusetts company to build part of the New Britain busway for $130 million. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 20, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032012.asp

Mayor Nominates 3 For Hartford Parking Authority Mayor Pedro Segarra on recently nominated three people for the Hartford Parking Authority, which has gone months without its full complement of five members. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 25, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_012511.asp

Mayor To Name 3 More People To HPA Mayor Pedro Segarra recently named three more people to the Hartford Parking Authority, which has been operating with only two members. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 24, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_012411.asp

Megabus Rolls Back Into Hartford Market Promising fares as low as $1 and a promotional giveaway of 1,000 free tickets, Megabus is starting daily service next month from Hartford to Manhattan and Amherst, Mass. The company will start with a daily schedule of five trips each way between downtown Hartford and midtown Manhattan, and two each day to Amherst. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 16, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_111610.asp

Memorial Arch to Reopen to Traffic The Bushnell Park Foundation plans to reopen the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch. The arch was closed less than a year ago due to frequent accidents, cutting off a key route from the northern downtown area to the Capitol and a northern point of access to the park. Plans for painting, planters, and other methods of encouraging people to drive more slowly through the arch are under way. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 21, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032105.asp

Missing the Bus? Like many Hartford residents, Anton Rick-Ossen of Girard Avenue rides the bus a lot. And, like a lot of bus riders, he thinks there are many ways the system can be expanded and improved. But, unlike most people, Rick-Ossen put his thoughts down in a report, which he presented to Connecticut Transit, Mayor Eddie Perez, Hartford City Council members, the Capital Region Council of Governments and several other organizations. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: April 03, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_news_040308.asp

Museum in the Driver's Seat An innovative shuttle bus transports visitors from the Morgan Street Garage to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 24, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_072405.asp

My First Ride On The Busway Into Future At the invitation of some folks from the state Department of Transportation, Tom Condon took a ride (in a sturdy SUV) along much of the Hartford — New Britain busway route. If you are new to the area, the busway, now called CT fastrak, is a 9.4-mile road being built between the downtowns of New Britain and Hartford that will only be open to buses. If all goes as planned, the busway will reduce travel times into the cities, lessen congestion on I-84, reduce carbon emissions, reduce the demand for parking and offer smart growth development opportunities around the stations. He has come to think that all of the above are essential if the Capital Region is to prosper. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 21, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_082113.asp

NAACP Blasts Red-Light Camera Bill The Connecticut NAACP said recently that it opposes a controversial bill that would enable the state's 19 largest cities and towns to install cameras at intersections to catch red-light violators. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 18, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_041812_1.asp

Need To Feed The Meters? Pull Out The Plastic Motorists in Hartford may soon have an alternative to standing in the cold at a parking meter and groping in a pocket or purse for nickels, dimes or quarters. The city council approved the transfer of $3.3 million recently for the city's parking authority to purchase new "pay-and-display" parking meters, which will still accept coins but will also allow patrons to use credit cards. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 30, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_013008.asp

New Bicycle Racks Installed Downtown Cyclists now have more visible and secure options for bike parking in Downtown Hartford, thanks to the combined efforts of Bike Walk CT, Capitol Region Council of Governments, Greater Hartford Transit District, Greater Hartford Arts Council, New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, the City of Hartford, and others. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: April 01, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_040112.asp

New Britain-Hartford Busway Gets $45 Million Federal Boost The federal government on recently committed $45 million toward the New Britain busway, the strongest sign yet that the long-planned and frequently delayed project will actually be built. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 03, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_020310.asp

New England Faces Competition For Federal High-Speed Rail Funds Are the New England states really on track to land federal funding for high-speed train service linking Hartford, Springfield and key cities in Vermont and New Hampshire with Boston, New York and Montreal? As the deadline to seek a share of $8 billion in stimulus funds closes in, a summit Aug. 3 of transportation chiefs from the six states showed they each have a plan on how to spend a share of the money. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 09, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_080909.asp

New England Governors Support Springfield-New Haven Rail Line Upgrading Amtrak's line through the center of the state would attract more riders, speed up trips and ensure more trains arrive on time, according to Gov. M. Jodi Rell's application for $800 million in federal stimulus aid. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 14, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_071409_2.asp

New England States May Form Rail Alliance The lieutenant governors of Rhode Island and Massachusetts pledged recently to partner with Connecticut in a regional mass transportation alliance aimed at securing the "connectivity" deemed key to New England's economic vitality. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 13, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_041307.asp

New England States Must Work Together On Transit In this opinion piece, the author suggests that New England is a collection of interdependent metropolitan areas that would gain prosperity if passenger travel and goods movement by rail were made easier and more efficient. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 28, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_062809_1.asp

New Haven - Hartford - Springfield Commuter Rail Implementation Plan The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT), with the support of the Transportation Strategy Board, is developing an implementation plan for commuter rail service between New Haven and Hartford, CT, and Springfield, MA. This document is the final report. Published by Connecticut Department of Transportation ; Publication Date: June 2005
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/SmartGrowth/wsd_06_2005.asp Related Link(s): State of Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board

New Haven-Springfield Commuter System Getting Serious Look Establishing a full-scale commuter train system paralleling I-91 has shot to the top of the Department of Transportation's "to do" list this year, prompted by the hope of landing federal stimulus grants to modernize the existing rail line linking New Haven, Hartford and Springfield. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_070609.asp

New Housing Department Can Shape State's Future There hasn't really been a coherent state housing policy for decades. What's mostly happened in the past half-century has been the construction of single-family homes in the suburbs. But, many of the state’s aging baby boomers are looking to downsize, either by choice or financial circumstance. Many young adults do not want to be tied down to a house with a mortgage. Connecticut needs more housing options. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 17, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/housing/htfd_courant_031713.asp

New Road Policy Means More Than Pavement Toni Gold suggests that Connecticut has a transportation crisis and needs to implement a new transportation policy. It is past time for Connecticut to start facilities for other modes of travel, besides roads - not only mass transit, but walking and biking facilities as well, all linked to state and local land-use plans. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 16, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_041606.asp

New Tactic In Busway Battle: Make It A Campaign Issue In what could be their final shot at derailing the New-Britain-to-Hartford busway, opponents will try to force state legislators to take a public vote either for it or against it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 18, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_041812.asp

New Verdict for Flower Street Recently, Judith Almeida, a staff attorney at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, ruled that unless a grade separated pedestrian/cyclist bridge is constructed over the crossing, the Connecticut DOT may not permanently close Flower Street to pedestrian and cyclist usage. The Flower Street crossing will remain closed to vehicular traffic. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: May 20, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_052013.asp

Newington Car Repair Shop Says It's Getting Thrown Under The Busway Mike Camillo predicts that when the New Britain-to-Hartford busway barrels through town, it's going to roll right over his car repair business. A recent press conference, led by Republican opponents of the busway, held at West Hill Automotive on Willard Avenue suggests that the years-long fight over the project isn't done. Supporters of the project dismiss the continuing criticism as sour grapes and partisan politics. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 21, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_062112.asp

Newington Residents Question Busway's Noise, Value Residents expressed concerns this week about noise, traffic and parking at a public forum on the ongoing construction of CtFasktrak. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 17, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_011713.asp

Newington Seeking To Redevelop Former National Welding Site The long abandoned National Welding factory site could return to productive use thanks to the state's New Britain-to-Hartford busway. With construction of the 9.4-mile, two-lane busway, now called CTfastrak, now underway, the town is moving to redevelop the derelict property and an accompanying 4 acres that is adjacent to a planned stop on the busway, Town Manager John Salomone said. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 11, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_061112.asp

Next Step: Trains From Hartford To Boston In this part of the country, people are taking trains again. Amtrak's Northeast Corridor has increased ridership by 36 percent since 2000. The New Haven Line of the Metro-North Railroad is the busiest single passenger line in the nation and Stamford has demonstrably leveraged the connectivity it provides. New England leaders understand this. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is boldly proposing to expand the capacity of Boston's South Station to allow for MBTA service increases and extensions. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is implementing the addition of commuter rail from New Haven to Hartford and Springfield, an essential leg of the regional rail network. But there is still a missing piece, and that is service from Hartford to Boston. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 04, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_090413.asp

Ninety Million Dollars From State Keeps Busway On Track The long-delayed busway project won a critical vote recently when the State Bond Commission authorized $90 million to help build it, leaving just one major hurdle before construction contracts can be signed. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 30, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_043011.asp

No Getting Around It — City Bus System Flawed In this opinion piece, the author suggests that one of the biggest holes in the existing Hartford bus system is a lack of cross-town routes. All but two routes travel in and out of downtown. We have many spokes leading to a single hub downtown, but no rim. To go anywhere but downtown, one must first go downtown to get back out of downtown, making trips twice as long as necessary. In order to save precious time, at least one new cross-town route should be created. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_041308_3.asp

No More Billboards This Hartford Courant editorial expresses the opinion that, since Mayor Eddie Perez has asked for public input on an idea to add billboards along I-91 in Hartford, put us down as a "no." Mr. Perez floated the idea of allowing a half-dozen billboards on city land and using the revenues to rebuild the city's sorry bus shelters. The tentative plan would squeeze one more billboard in the South Meadows near the Wethersfield line and five or so in front of the landfill north of downtown. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 16, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_031607.asp

No Sale: Billboard Plan Fizzles Many people did not like the city's proposal to generate at least $2.5 million in upfront cash by erecting new billboards between I-91 and the landfill. Mayor Eddie A. Perez canceled the plan recently because nobody liked it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 31, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_courant_033107.asp

No Turning Back On Busway Tom Condon expresses the opinion that the Hartford-New Britain busway is a good idea, one that can be brought to fruition in three years. Killing it now would be totally wrongheaded. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 23, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_012311.asp

North End Rehab At Risk Belying its public image, Hartford's Albany Avenue has seen steady and positive change for a decade. It started with a community arts and cultural center, followed by new housing, an expanded health clinic, many new businesses, a brilliant new University of Hartford arts building, a new YMCA. What is supposed to tie it all together are improvements to the street itself — except that the state is backing off. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 18, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_101809.asp

Northwest Corridor Transit Study This study, a pdf version of the PowerPoint presentation made on May 26, 2009, examines mass transit in the area northwest of Hartford. It suggests a busway along the Griffin railroad easement would provide access to Bradley Internation Airport and the Day Hill Road area of Windsor, and it proposes a bus transfer station near Union Station. (PDF document, 38 pages) Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/NW_Corridor_Transit_Study.pdf

Northwest To Resume Bradley To Amsterdam Daily Flight Two months after Northwest Airlines ended Bradley International Airport's only flight to Europe, stinging local pride and spoiling grand economic development plans, its corporate parent said it will resume direct, nonstop service to Amsterdam on June 2, 2009. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 10, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_121008.asp

Not By Choice: How We Were Driven To Sprawl Tom Sevigny expresses the opinion that far from being the result of a free market system, urban sprawl is the direct consequence of government subsidies, intense corporate lobbying and manipulation through the legalized bribery we call campaign contributions, not to mention stifling zoning regulations that have limited the choices Americans have when it comes to where we live and how we get from place to place. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 5, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/SmartGrowth/htfd_courant_030506.asp

Obama Money Train Speeds Past; State Gets Just $30 Million For High-Speed Rail Disappointing many Connecticut officials and irking Republican congressional leaders, the Obama administration recently awarded less than half of its $2 billion windfall of high-speed rail grants to the Northeast. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 10, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_051011.asp

Off The Road With an influx of cheap ATVs from China, the four-wheeled off-road vehicles are becoming more popular in Hartford, but are they safe? Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: August 09, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_advocate_080907.asp

Officials Wonder If Upgrading Rail Line Will Be Worthwhile, Produce Results When federal officials evaluate the idea of upgrading the New Haven-to-Springfield rail line to accommodate high-speed trains, they'll have two core questions: Is the project worthwhile, and can it deliver results quickly? Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 02, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_110209.asp

One Proposal For Amtrak Bullet Train Route: Under Long Island Sound As Amtrak studies how to bring bullet trains to its frantically busy Northeast Corridor, one design team is suggesting a radically new route requiring a roughly 18-mile-long tunnel beneath Long Island Sound. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 03, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_090312.asp

One Way? Wrong Way When Toronto planner Ken Greenberg and his team of top professionals came to Hartford in 1998, they found downtown uninviting for pedestrians and confusing for drivers. One of the problems was the one-way streets. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 27, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_122709_1.asp

One-Hundred-Twenty Million Dollar Grant Allows Work On New Haven-To-Springfield Rail Project To Begin In 2010, the federal government promised Connecticut $121 million for high-speed rail service between New Haven and Springfield, but the state didn't know when it would see the money until recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 01, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_100112.asp

Only Two Of Five Mayor Pedro Segarra is looking for good candidates to fill three vacancies on the Hartford Parking Authority, the five-member body that sets policy for and administers city-owned parking garages downtown. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 18, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_011811.asp

Opponents Want To Scuttle New Britain-Hartford Busway Plan Opponents of the long-delayed $572 million busway to Hartford are mounting an advertising campaign aimed at scuttling the project, or least halting it until after the new governor takes office. The busway's progress stalled in the spring of 2010 because of delays in landing $275 million in federal aid, and critics hope that gives them an opportunity to kill it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 21, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_092110.asp

Parking Amnesty Program Nets $116,000 Three weeks into its amnesty program, the Hartford Parking Authority has collected roughly $116,000 from drivers with outstanding parking tickets. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 22, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/cityline_032211.asp

Parking Authority Expected To Take Over Lots The Hartford Parking Authority has told the city it is willing to control some municipally owned parking lots downtown that auditors say should have been transferred to the authority years ago. The offer comes after a state audit concluded that the Capital City Economic Development Authority had failed to verify the city's compliance with a law requiring the transfer of all city parking facilities to the authority. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 11, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_031108.asp

Parking Authority Names New CEO The Hartford Parking Authority has named Mark K. McGovern as its new chief executive officer. He replaces James Kopencey, who worked for the authority from 2004 to July 2009, when he took a leave of absence. McGovern has worked for the city since 2005, first as director of economic development and most recently as the city's deputy director of the department of development services. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 08, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_060810_1.asp

Parking Break? The Hartford Parking Authority has proposed lowering rates on the city's parking meters and in two of the three city-owned garages. The plan is a response to some visitors' complaints that parking for a lunch meeting can cost more than the meal itself. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 20, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_032007_a.asp

Parking Demand Slipping It costs more to park for a month in downtown Hartford than in many much larger U.S. cities, including Baltimore, Miami and Dallas, a new survey shows, but local parking officials say those rates may be ready to fall. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: September 29, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_092908.asp

Parking Spots Hard To Find In the wake of complaints from residents that they were being unfairly ticketed for parking close to their homes, city officials have removed parking meters from Seymour Street. But, residents feel nothing has changed. Now that the meters have been removed, she said, Hartford Hospital visitors and employees have occupied spaces to the point that residents can't park on the street until the cars leave around 5 or 6 p.m. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 13, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_071306.asp

Parking Towers a Hit A little more than a year ago the city did away with 1,600 single-post meters and replaced them with 250 parking "towers" at a cost of about $3.3 million. The parking towers have been very well received. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: December 01, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_120109.asp

Pay-And-Display Parking Meters Added Downtown More and more Hartford drivers are swapping coins for plastic at the city’s new “pay-and-display” parking meters in the business district. The $3.3 million replacement of the city’s 1,600 coin-only meters by 250 pay-and-display kiosks started in mid-October 2008 and will be completed by the end of 2008, weather permitting. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: November 24, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/hbj_112408.asp

Pedestrians and Cyclists to Retain Right to Use Flower Street In late August there was an adjudicated regulatory hearing at the Connecticut Department of Transportation headquarters to decide whether or not Flower Street could be closed to any and all traffic, on a permanent basis. The ruling is in: Flower Street should remain open for cyclist and pedestrian use both during and after construction of the New Britain-to-Hartford busway, now known as CTfastrak. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: October 20, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_102012.asp

People-Friendly Transit Can Revitalize Cities In this opinion piece, the author asks: how did we progress to the point where speeding cars have taken over our streets, where our cities have more land area dedicated to parking lots than to buildings and are seemingly devoid of people? He suggests that there are many explanations, but we should take heart that we are slowly learning from our car-centric planning mistakes of the past 50 years and are turning a corner. A 21st-century innovation in the form of transit-oriented development, known as TOD, is creating places that embody the early 20th-century urban ideal while accommodating current lifestyles and land uses. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 30, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_013013.asp

Perez Makes Parking Deal Despite interest from the city's own parking authority, the administration of Mayor Eddie A. Perez recently awarded a potentially lucrative contract to manage a city-owned parking lot to a longtime political power broker in the city's North End. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 3, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_020307.asp

Perhaps Green Parking Isn't An Oxymoron The Green Parking Council. a nonprofit supported by the country's major parking companies, is based in New Haven. It's mission is to green the parking business, to bring the industry to "environmental, technological and economic sustainability. The council is doing some good stuff to reduce energy use, save space, and generally raise consciousness about the environment. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 17, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/environment/htfd_courant_071713.asp

Pioneers Commute By Bike Biking to the office saves energy, promotes personal health and is part of a national movement. Rick Green tells us that Hartford is now adding bike lanes when it repaves streets. Soon distinctive red bike racks will be installed downtown. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 27, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_022707.asp

Plan Calls For New Terminal At Bradley With passenger traffic at Bradley International Airport expected to grow dramatically in the next two decades, the state recently received federal approval for its latest airport development plan, which proposes replacing the obsolete Murphy Terminal. Under the plan, approved by the FAA, Bradley would increase the number of arrival and departure gates, reserving at least two slots for international flights. Attracting airline service to Europe is one of the airport's major goals. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 29, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_072906.asp

Plan Much? If you were suffering from a dearth of planning meetings related to the city of Hartford, ’tis the season to rejoice. Or cry. Or both. We are entering a month-long, intense phase of significant public meetings related to planning efforts. Published by Urban Compass ; Publication Date: November 10, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/ucompass_111009.asp

Planning Agency Considers Hartford Site For Bus Transit Center A parking lot just north of Union Station could become Hartford's new bus transit center, a study by a regional planning agency suggests. The center could handle buses from the planned New Britain busway, and also would replace the stretch of Main Street outside the Old State House as the chief transfer point for CT Transit bus riders, according to a preliminary study by the Capitol Region Council of Governments. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 27, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_052709.asp

Poetry In Stone This year is the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Bulkeley Bridge (formerly the Hartford Bridge), the graceful stone arch span that now carries I-84 traffic. We ought to celebrate it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 02, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/history/htfd_courant_010208.asp

Private Sector Would Quickly Pull The Plug On Busway Boondoggle In this commentary, the author expresses the opinion that if the development of the busway were a private enterprise, the CEO would fired the product management team (the DOT). But this is government. So instead of concern for the price and instead of consternation at the obscene and never-ending operating losses, the response is "Yahoo, let's do it" from every level. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 18, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_101811.asp

PRO: Busway Is Well Down Road To Being Part of The Answer In this opinion piece, the author suggests that the proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) project between downtown New Britain and Union Station in Hartford has been in development since 1997. A BRT was selected as the preferred alternative of proposed solutions as the speed, flexibility and ease of use offers the highest utility and least expensive cost structure. Those currently beating the drum to kill the New Britain Hartford Busway are grossly oversimplifying the issue by making transportation strategy sound like a simple up or down choice between the BRT and light rail. The key question is not one of either or, but of timing, as both the BRT and rail fit into Connecticut’s long-term transportation strategy. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: November 01, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_110110.asp

Proceed Carefully On Bradley Airport Authority In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that moving control of Bradley International Airport from the state Department of Transportation to a quasi-public airport authority, as a bill before the legislature proposes, is the way to go. Freeing the airport from the bonds of state hiring and purchasing rules should give it the entrepreneurial flexibility to increase the airport's already significant economic impact. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 15, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_051511.asp

Project Examining I-84 Through Hartford in Second Phase Last month, the I-84 Viaduct Hub of Hartford steering committee met with representatives from CRCOG and Goody Clancy to hear a wrap-up of the first phase of the consultant’s study of the highway through the city. Published by Urban Compass ; Publication Date: January 22, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/ucompass_012210.asp

Prudent On Parking: No Concession In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that the Hartford city council took the wise path when it recently decided not to pursue a monetization of the city's more than 6,000 metered and off-street parking places. City officials had for months considered leasing the spaces to a private operator for up to 50 years in return for a hefty upfront payment. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 14, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041411.asp

Public Transit Buses May Carry Hartford Students Hartford high school students could be riding Connecticut public transit buses to get to school this fall under the provisions of a new school-bus contract being negotiated with local bus companies. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_041308.asp

Put Brakes On Push For Red-Light Cameras Connecticut legislators have proposed three bills legalizing the use of cameras at traffic lights in larger cities and towns. All three bills are before the General Assembly's Committee on Transportation for discussion. The purpose of the laws are to give municipalities with more than 30,000 or 48,000 people, depending on the bill, the authority to install cameras at intersections and ticket drivers who commit traffic infractions. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 19, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_031913.asp

Putting A Positive Spin On State's $40 Million High-Speed Rail Grant Even though the Northeast came out as the big loser in the competition for $8 billion in federal high-speed train grants recently, state officials said they are satisfied that Connecticut fared reasonably well. The proposed Springfield-to- New Haven line, a project that U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd has said could power an economic recovery for Connecticut, won initial funding of $40 million. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 28, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_012810.asp

Questions On Hartford Parking Deal The city is cautiously moving ahead on a plan to monetize the more than 6,000 metered and off-street parking places it owns by leasing them to a private operator for up to 50 years in return for an unspecified — but presumably hefty — upfront payment. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 09, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_090910.asp

Rack Em Up Bicycle parking is coming to downtown Hartford. The city has received a $30,800 federal CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) grant to install more racks. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: July 5, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_advocate_070507.asp

Rail Advocates Press Opposition To Busway Advocates of restoring passenger rail service from Waterbury to Hartford say the idea deserves a fresh look because new questions are arising about a competing mass transit project, the New Britain busway. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 27, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_112709.asp

Rail Line to Airport? Ground's Already Laid A brief history of the plan to build a light rail line connecting Hartford to Bradley is described in this commentary by Toni Gould, a senior associate with Project for Public Spaces and president of Urban Edge Associates. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 3, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_070305.asp

Rail Link Would Create One Great City By quirk of history, the central part of Connecticut has two major small cities instead of one large urban center. As the major 17th-century colonies of Hartford and New Haven evolved, they sometimes competed. By themselves, each city has major strengths and weaknesses. But what if they were one city? That is the promise of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail line. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 15, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_111509.asp

Rail Links Could Land City In Sports' Big Time Back in the day, New York sports fans could get to the city's legendary stadiums by subway or bus. Transit is an idea that Connecticut could use to develop the base for a professional sports franchise. Connecticut could use sports-by-rail to its advantage as both an in-state system that ties together Connecticut's collection of small cities and as a spur from New York City for special sporting events. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 29, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_052911.asp

Rail Links Would Bolster Bradley, Region Bradley Airport may be a key in invigorating the economy of western New England. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has approved low-cost preliminary design work on rail service from New Haven to Springfield. With a Bradley extension, such service could be a major catalyst for other new market opportunities - developing major freight facilities or nearby land for industrial parks, warehousing and specialized services. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 5, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_020506.asp

Raise Your Voices, And Behold Gift CT Transit has restored bus service to the Bowles Park housing project in the evenings and on weekends. Two buses returned to the pre-existing service, terminating at Bowles after dropping folks off where they need to be inside the complex, after Jan. 2. The last three make stops inside on demand. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_122406.asp

Raising Money With Signs As Mayor Eddie Perez ponders a plan to put a handful of billboards on city land along I-91 and use the revenue to build bus shelters, some wonder whether the collective message that the billboards send is worth it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 6, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_030607.asp

Rally Behind Busway Stephen T. Cassano, mayor of Manchester and chairman of the Capitol Region Council of Governments' policy board, encourages all involved in the Hartford-New Britain busway project to continue working despite downgrading by the would-be funder, the Federal Transit Administration. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 6, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030605.asp Related Link(s): Stewart Still Upbeat About Busway ; Rating Pulls Brake on Rapid Bus Project ; Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG)

Rally Fizzles, But Hartford Parents Still Push For More Transportation Money A planned rally to convince the Hartford Board of Education to reinstate $4 million in transportation funding didn't materialize, but parents still urged the board to put the money back. Two years ago the district increased its transportation distance guidelines for students in order to promote its open choice policy and encourage families to choose schools outside their neighborhoods. But with the district facing a $21 million deficit, and as school officials looked for savings outside of staff reductions and the classroom, transportation funding took the hit. Some bus routes were eliminated, forcing students to walk to school. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 23, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_092309.asp

Rating Pulls Brake on Rapid Bus Project Federal transportation officials downgraded their rating of Greater Hartford's top mass transit priority, a proposed rapid bus link between Hartford and New Britain - a decision that leaves the $337 million plan in doubt. The so-called New Britain-Hartford busway would create a 9.6-mile bus-only roadway, a transit route that would pass through Newington and the Elmwood section of West Hartford as it followed railroad rights of way to connect the downtowns of Hartford and New Britain. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 9, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_020905.asp

Really High-Speed Rail Would Slice Through Auto Bottlenecks A bold proposal was developed this year by a graduate seminar at the University of Pennsylvania. The students created a plan to build a new, separate, high-speed rail system in the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C. The plan largely uses the existing corridor from Washington to New York. The daring part of the plan is north of New York. The new high-speed line would travel east down Long Island and then under Long Island Sound through a 20-mile, three-tube tunnel to New Haven. From there, it would travel in the median of I-91 to Hartford and then on the median of I-84 and the Mass Pike to Boston. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 12, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_091210.asp

Reasons For Busway Outweigh Objections Stand near I-84 during afternoon rush hour in Hartford, a city that has been hollowed out for cars and roads. The highway will be a fuming swath of slow-moving metal, and the feeder streets will be jammed with traffic. It is down to the wire for federal approval of a pivotal $275 million appropriation for the New Britain-to-Hartford busway. The Federal Transit Administration is expected to approve the funding soon. However, a small group of Republican legislators are making an 11th-hour effort to kill the project. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 23, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_102311.asp

Red Light; Gold Mine Putting red light cameras at intersections is big business. And it's a business that could be coming to Connecticut soon, if the governor has his way. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: February 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_021312.asp

Red-Light Cameras Could Save Lives The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities is the latest group to urge the General Assembly to adopt legislation that would allow cities and towns to use automatic cameras to catch drivers who run red lights. Red-light cameras have their critics, and not all questions about their use have been satisfactorily answered, but on balance the idea is sound and ought at least to be given a try. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 19, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_021912.asp

Refine The Bradley Airport Plan In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that a proposal by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy to change how Bradley International Airport is run might go too far in the right direction. Mr. Malloy proposed that Bradley be run by an independent, quasi-public authority, as many airports across the country are. The airport is currently run by the state Department of Transportation, a model rarely used elsewhere. But he might want to include the DOT in the authority, for the air-side operation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 19, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_091910.asp

Regional Group Calls For Lowering I-84 To Street Level Moving I-84 to surface level as it passes through Hartford appears to be the best alternative to explore in more detailed engineering studies as the state considers what to do with the aging viaduct that carries the highway through the city. That's the general conclusion of a report released to the public recently evaluating various options for improving the 3/4-mile-long, elevated portion of I-84 that begins at Sisson Avenue and runs to about Union Station. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 27, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_102710_1.asp

Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan: The CCROG Commitment to a Walkable Bikeable Region These documents, the region's new Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan, Figures and Appendices, present a results-oriented program that will make the region more bikeable and walkable. The goal is quite simple, to create a plan that will lead to significant shifts in the numbers of people who choose to walk and bicycle for regular transportation. Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: April 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_103008.asp

Rell on the Billboard Governor Rell Rell recently announced she was proposing no new contracts for billboards on state-owned property be allowed and existing billboard contracts not be renewed when they expire. She wants to protect the countryside, however her own billboards, part of an environmental campaign, remain. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: February 21, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_022108.asp

Rell Seeks Transportation Boost Coming on the heels of last year's $1.3 billion transportation plan, Gov. M. Jodi Rell is calling for spending at least another $600 million over the next 10 years in phase two of the program. The plan calls for opening new train stations in Enfield, Newington and North Haven as part of a proposed 11-station commuter rail service from New Haven to Springfield, with eight trains running daily each way. Amtrak currently runs along the tracks, but the new commuter service would have more stops. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 25, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_012506.asp

Rell's Metro-North Plan Faltering In the final weeks of her administration. Gov. M. Jodi Rell is watching in frustration as her plan to replace Metro-North's commuter train fleet goes off the tracks. Democrats on the State Bond Commission last week blocked her bid to borrow $81 million for more Kawasaki M-8 cars. Recently, the state announced that its first batch of M-8s was malfunctioning. The train cars will be delayed for at least a month before going into service on the New Haven line. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 15, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_121510.asp

Rell: Better New Haven-Springfield Rail Line Is Critical To State's Economy Within six years, workers living in Enfield could take a train to get to jobs in Berlin or Newington, while Meriden residents could ride to work in West Hartford or Windsor Locks. The once far-fetched idea of commuter trains shuttling between Springfield and New Haven moved much closer to reality recently when Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced that she expects the State Bond Commission to vote Aug. 11 for spending up to $260 million to dramatically improve the rail line. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 27, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072710.asp

Rell: Connecticut Should Buy More Metro-North Rail Cars For $226 Million Gov. M. Jodi Rell wants to beef up Connecticut's order for new Metro-North rail cars, which could help renew one of the nation's busiest commuter railroads but cost an extra $226 million. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 03, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_080310.asp

Remember The Busway? After a 1997 study of increasing traffic on I-84 west of Hartford, state officials determined that a dedicated busway from New Britain to Hartford would take some of the commuter traffic off the highway and bring transit to a highly populated corridor. A busway was chosen over light rail or widening the highway because, officials said, it could be built more quickly and less expensively. The busway is finally moving ahead. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 06, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120608.asp

Removing Aetna Viaduct Could Help Heal Hartford The Aetna Viaduct, the elevated section of I-84 that runs from Sisson Avenue to downtown through the heart of Hartford, reached the end of its 40-year projected life in 2005. The HUB of Hartford and the Connecticut Department of Transportation are together studying removing the viaduct and lowering the road. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 21, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_062109.asp

Report: State So-So For Pedestrians Hartford is one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians in the Northeast, while New Haven is among America's most progressive cities for encouraging bike- and pedestrian-friendly street designs, according to two recent transit reports. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 26, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_062611.asp

Reveal Sustainable Transportation Transportation planners would do well not to ignore the needs of Hartford’s bicycle community. Recently, cycling enthusiasts packed the Aetna Theater in the Wadsworth Atheneum to watch Reveal the Path. All seats were sold out. Within the Millennial/Generation Y group, bicycling has increased 24%, and 45% want to replace driving with some other mode of transportation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 06, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_020613.asp

Riders Increasingly Getting On Board Ridership on Amtrak's Springfield to New Haven shuttles reached an all-time high in March 2013, and is growing at nearly 5 percent so far for the year, the railroad reported. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 26, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_082613.asp

Right Direction: Bike Path Part Of Busway One of the least publicized aspects of CTfastrak, the project formerly known as the New Britain-Hartford busway, is that the 4.4-mile section between downtown New Britain and Newington will have a multiuse trail. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_052212.asp

Right Road For Transit Tom Condon writes that we have bus service in much of Connecticut, but we don't have first-class bus service. It is time that we did. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 05, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_040509.asp

River Line Would Be Link To Prosperity In this opinion piece, the author suggests that the state is working on a busway from New Britain to Hartford and commuter rail from New Haven to Springfield. What if, in addition to these projects, we built a commuter rail line along the Connecticut River from Hartford to Middletown? Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 04, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_010409.asp

River Was Where Road Is In this opinion piece, Wilson H Faude discusses the Metropolitan District Commission plans to tap a brook in Bloomfield and have it flow in Bushnell Park along the former path of the Park River. In fact, the river flowed where the streets are on the north side of the park. When the Army Corps of Engineers buried the river after the floods of the late 1930s, they took away a substantial amount of parkland. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 19, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/History/htfd_courant_031906.asp

Road Safety Planning Targets Albany Avenue The city is in the planning stages of a major project to improve road safety on Albany Avenue, officials said recently. The $12 million to $15 million project includes traffic and pedestrian safety improvements, lane reconfigurations, roadway resurfacing and drainage improvement from Homestead Avenue and Westbourne Parkway to Garden Street. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 9, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_030906.asp

Robles Introduces Legislation to Curb Illegal Car Racing State Representative Hector Robles recently testified before the Connecticut General Assembly's Transportation Committee in support of legislation that will help curb the serious problem of illegal street racing. The legislation was introduced by Robles, who is also a Hartford police officer, is being considered by the Transportation Committee. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: March 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_news_031909.asp

Rocky Road To Transit-Oriented Development Tom Condon comments on a conference held recently at Central Connecticut State University on transit-oriented development. In the past, cities were tethered to fixed-path transportation, whether port, river or, later, rail. It was only in the postwar period, with the advent of cheap cars, cheap gas and incessant public road-building, that huge numbers of people could move out of cities. Development around transit will improve our quality of life, and recreate our cities, but it requires political will to cut through the red tape, and find the financing. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 4, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_020407.asp

Roundabouts: Stuck At Red Light In Hartford For about a decade, there has been a small but vocal constituency in Hartford advocating the replacement of signalized intersections with modern roundabouts — or at least to try a pilot project at one intersection. It began with the first conceptual plan for Farmington Avenue in 2000, which showed roundabouts at the intersections of Farmington with Sigourney, Woodland and Sisson — all bottlenecks with very poor levels of service and poor safety records. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 05, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_090510.asp

School Board Approves $13.6M Contract For Special Education Busing After months of negotiations and a round of bidding, the Hartford school board has approved a new $13.6 million contract with LogistiCare Solutions, a bus broker that currently subcontracts the city's special education transportation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 23, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_062311_1.asp

Scrapping The Viaduct: Some Answers Tom Condon writes that his recent column on the conceptual plan to bring the I-84 viaduct down to grade in the center of Hartford generated a remarkable number of hits and responses, pro and con, and a number of questions. A quick summary: The viaduct is the three-quarter-mile elevated section of I-84 on the western edge of downtown Hartford. The viaduct was built in 1965 with a 40-year life expectancy. State Department of Transportation officials said in 2006 they were going to repair it for $100 million. But a citizens group urged the department to look at other options. This led to the study released last month, which evaluated a new viaduct, a tunnel and bringing the highway to grade, the option most favored by the participants. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 07, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_110710_1.asp

Secretary LaHood Praises Connecticut For Rail Project Stopping short of a firm promise, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently assured Connecticut that it stands a strong chance of landing a share of $2.5 billion in high-speed rail grants this year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 26, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_042610.asp

Segarra: Obama's Budget Good And Bad News For Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra recently offered a mixed reaction to President Obama's budget plan. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 16, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_021611.asp

Senate Committee Proposes $4 Million In Funding For High-Speed Rail Service The campaign to establish high-speed rail service through central Connecticut got a boost recently when a key U.S. Senate committee proposed up to $4 million for preliminary work. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 31, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_073109.asp

Send Rejected Rail Funds Here In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that this fall, high-speed rail became the focal point of attack by Republican candidates for governor in several states. Most of these candidates won and are now pledging to kill rail projects in their states. This is short-sighted, with the country needing desperately to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gas emissions. For states in the Northeast, however, killing the Silver Streak offers a silver lining. If Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey and Florida don't want the money, put it on the fast track to New England, please. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 21, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_112110.asp

Seven Dollar Gas Will Rock Our World Tom Condon writes that when a gallon of gas hits $7, more people in Connecticut are going to look for transportation alternatives — mostly buses and trains. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 25, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_052508.asp

Shuttle Is A Star Much Too Dim The new Star Shuttle makes a 2.2-mile loop and stops along some of the city's key arteries - Columbus Boulevard, and Trumbull, Asylum, Allyn and Main streets. The Star's ridership numbers are increasing as the word gets out and more people come into the city. The shuttle - a pilot program financed by the State Department of Transportation - is an example of forward thinking, but it's drawback is its route which is limited to Downtown. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 8, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_100805.asp

Sierra Club Of Connecticut Joins Opposition To New Britain Busway Proposal With the New Britain busway proposal perhaps just a month away from landing a $220 million federal grant, the Sierra Club, a prominent environmental group, recently joined opponents who want to scuttle the plan. The Sierra Club is convinced that restoring passenger train service along the busway corridor makes more sense environmentally and financially. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 23, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_042310.asp

Signs Of Hope For A Regional New England Railroad Strategy Rick Green writes that you know things have changed when Mike Dukakis is leading the charge again. Dukakis, Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joe Marie, members of Congress, top federal officials and other political leaders all met recently at the first New England Rail Summit in a session moderated by Dukakis for what amounted to a council of war to plot a railroad strategy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 04, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_080409.asp

Signs Point to Bullying In any mention of the Hartford section of the East Coast Greenway, two points always seem to come up: people are unaware of its existence despite online cue sheets and markings on the sidewalk, and, the lack of signage. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: October 01, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_100112.asp

Signs Shouldn't Define What State Looks Like In this commentary, the author suggests that Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposal to ban new contracts for outdoor advertising on state-owned property and put a stop to digital billboards is a bold first step in reclaiming the visual quality of Connecticut's roadways and communities. She has correctly identified billboards as one of the most egregious contributors to visual blight and a threat to the economic health of the state. Deliberate ugliness is not an effective business development strategy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 09, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030908.asp

Slowly, Hartford Area Commuters Leaving Cars Behind Overwhelmingly, however, Hartford area residents remain gridlocked in their cars. The numbers have nudged only slightly since 2000, when 82.5 percent of area commuters drove alone to work, to 2010, when the average figure was about 81.5 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Ever so slowly some of us really are looking beyond the cars that clog the roads, pollute the air and raise our blood pressure. CT Rides, seeks to reduce that more. They match potential driving partners or figure out other commuting options, such as the best bus route. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_051312_1.asp

Smart Growth and Transportation This fact sheet is a brief summary of a translation paper on smart growth, part of a series produced by the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. Published by CenterEdge Project ; Publication Date: 2003
Document Link: /issues/wsd/SmartGrowth/SmartGrowthandTransportation.pdf Related Link(s): Full text

Snags May Be Ahead For Commuter Rail Proposal Even if the state can get permission to start no-frills, low-frequency commuter rail service between New Haven and Springfield, it might do better by waiting until it has better resources in place, Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie told state lawmakers recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 25, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022509.asp

Snow is Green: Tickets Mean Revenue Even with nearly 100 vehicles towed and 500 parking tickets issued during last weekend’s snow event, some streets appeared to have not gotten the memo that there was a street parking ban in effect. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: January 25, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/realhtfd_012512.asp

Some Rules For The Road The increasingly popularity of bicycling across Connecticut has raised questions about cyclists' legal rights and responsibilities, as well as those of motorists toward cyclists. Place asked Hartford lawyer and cyclist Christopher M. Vossler to explain the law. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 29, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_102906_a.asp

Some Struggling With City's New Parking Meters Here's what should happen after you park your car near one of the new "pay-and-display" parking meters in downtown Hartford: Pay. And display. Problem is, that second step is sometimes a problem. Instead of heeding the instructions — feeding the meter and displaying the receipts on the dashboards of their cars — some motorists are taking the receipts with them and earning parking tickets as a result. To correct the issue, the Hartford Parking Authority will print and install a pictogram displaying a car and a big red arrow that points to a receipt on the dash on each of its meters. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 23, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_122308.asp

Speedier Buses It isn't easy to speed up bus service on the crowded streets of Manhattan, but transit officials in the Big Apple are doing so. As Governing magazine recently reported, New York transit officials have introduced Select Bus Service, which uses a number of strategies, such as off-board fare collection, dedicated lanes and signal priority, to eliminate delays. It is long past time for Connecticut to do the same. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 07, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_090710.asp

State Agenda, Part 5: Finish Bus, Rail Lines In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that if transportation is destiny, as an old saying has it, Connecticut's in trouble. Our highways are increasingly crowded and we haven't completed a transit project of any note in living memory. But 2010 could — and should — be the year the state closes in on two major projects. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 08, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_010810.asp

State Could End Hartford's Star Shuttle The state is considering ending regular service for the Star Shuttle -- the free bus that loops through downtown Hartford. The shuttle gets a lot of use when conventions are in town, and hardly any use when they're not. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: August 23, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/jcohen_082311.asp

State Gets $7 Million In Federal Stimulus Money For New Buses A new $7 million stimulus grant will help buy fuel-efficient, low-pollution transit buses to run routes in Hartford, Stamford and New Haven next year, federal officials said recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 22, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_092209.asp

State Must Find Money For Highways, Transit Roughly 50 years ago, Connecticut built highway bridges with a 50-year life span. At about the same time, the state and New York took over commuter rail service that ran on the bones of a century-old railroad. So perhaps it is not surprising that the state faces $3 billion in transportation infrastructure improvement projects. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 24, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_122412.asp

State Officials: Busway Construction On Time And On Budget Along busy Flatbush Avenue in West Hartford or at the East and Allen Street intersection in New Britain, the message couldn't be much more dramatic: Towering new bridges announce that the busway is arriving swiftly. Engineers estimate they're about 35 percent to 40 percent done building CTfastrak, the rapid transit bus system. The $567 million project is on time and on budget, they say. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 17, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_061713.asp

State OKs $260 Million To Pay For Commuter Rail System Despite the state's projected budget deficits, the brutal recession and opposition from fiscal conservatives, Connecticut lawmakers on recently authorized borrowing $260 million to create a Metro-North-style commuter rail system between New Haven and Springfield. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 17, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_081710.asp

State Projects Not Ready In this opinion piece, the author suggests that President-elect Barack Obama is calling for robust investment in essential infrastructure as part of an economic recovery act. Gov. M. Jodi Rell recently met with Mr. Obama and her peers to discuss the opportunities in this package for states across the nation. Federal support could be available for some of Connecticut’s most ambitious transportation investments in decades. There's only one problem: The most transformative transit initiatives here are not yet ready for construction. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 14, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_121408.asp

State Puts Up $250 Million To Upgrade Roads, Rails Pushing his plan to invest heavily in transportation, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy won approval recently to plow more than $250 million into improving Connecticut's rail and highway systems, including buying 38 new rail cars for Metro-North. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 25, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_022511.asp

State Receives $121M Federal Grant For Rail Line State leaders celebrated recently after Connecticut landed a $121 million federal grant to rebuild the Springfield-to- New Haven rail line for high-speed trains, but acknowledged that it was about $100 million less than they wanted. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 26, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_102610.asp

State Seeks Ideas For Busway Service, Schedule After construction ends, the New Britain-to-Hartford busway will have dozens and dozens of buses running in each direction every day, the state transportation department says. Precisely where those buses go and when they run is still undecided, though. The DOT has scheduled two meetings in early March to hear from commuters, shoppers, college students and other prospective riders about the sort of service they want. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 25, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022513.asp

State Senator Questions Busway Project With expenses rising and gas tax revenue stagnant, the state may have to postpone more of its big-ticket transit initiatives, said the co-chairman of the General Assembly's transportation committee. Among the projects that needs a second look: the New Britain busway, Sen. Donald DeFronzo, D-New Britain, said. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 01, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120110.asp

State Should Plan Rail With Airport Expansion When commuter rail service returns to the state's "Inland Route" in a few years, passengers traveling between Hartford and Springfield will notice two things. One is that the route along the Connecticut River is remarkably scenic; the other is that there is a spur line that heads toward Bradley International Airport. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071312_2.asp

State To Get $40 Million In Federal Funds For High-Speed Rail Federal officials announced recently that Connecticut will get $40 million in federal funding for high-speed rail. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 27, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_012710.asp

State Transportation Bills Get Thumbs Up With most Republicans dissenting, a key legislative committee recently endorsed bills to promote a light rail study, new sidewalks and bike lanes, and local initiatives toward regional government. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_050609.asp

State Turned Down In Request For $630 Million In Federal Transportation Funds Connecticut came away with absolutely nothing in a competition for $1.5 billion in federal transportation grants this week, angering the congressional delegation enough that it has demanded a meeting with federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 19, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_021910.asp

State Wants Busway Project Back on Road State transportation officials are racing an Aug. 15 deadline to reverse the federal government's doubts about the proposed busway that would link New Britain and Hartford. Millions of federal dollars have been promised to Connecticut for the busway if it is launched, but the state Department of Transportation cannot apply for a penny of it without regaining the Federal Transit Administration's confidence in the project. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 7, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_080705.asp

Station Upgrades Needed To Make Rail Line Work In this opinion piece, the author expresses the opinion that the state's effort to bring back commuter rail service to the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line can't happen soon enough. By creating a strong foundation for future transit service, the region will be poised to grow its economy and become a stronger link in the Northeast Corridor economy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 3, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_060307.asp

Stealing Simsbury’s Thunder? Recent developments in Hartford may give the little town some competition for the title of the only Bicycle Friendly Community in Connecticut– maybe not this year or next, but soon. Improvements to bike infrastructure were written into One City, One Plan — Hartford’s Plan of Conservation and Development. These improvements include providing of parking facilities; connection of neighborhoods to parks, shopping, and employment; and investment in “bike lanes, wide shoulders, wide outside lanes, and multi-use trails.” Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: May 21, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_052112.asp

Step Toward Smart Growth This Courant editorial comments on Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s announcement of a national search for a deputy commissioner of the state Department of Transportation who will focus on mass transit and anti-sprawl measures. The deputy commissioner can be a leader in fighting sprawl, with the strong support of the commissioner and the governor. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 10, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_091006.asp

Stewart Still Upbeat About Busway The Mayor of New Britain continues to lobby for the New Britain-Hartford busway proposal - a project some local officials still hope will be developed. Department of Transportation officials and busway project managers will meet with chief executives from the affected towns to explain the obstacles and what can be done to save it. Earlier this month, federal transportation officials downgraded their rating of the mass transit project to "not recommended," citing ballooning costs and a concern over the state's ability to build the project. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 22, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022205.asp Related Link(s): Rating Pulls Brake on Rapid Bus Project

Stop Dithering and Build the Busway Already For a long time, Andy Hart opposed the project and even opined against it in print, because he feared mismanagement and because he liked rail better. Then, on March 16, 2011, the Hartford Public Library hosted a discussion on the busway with Lyle Wray and Sandy Frye of the Capital Region Council of Governments (“CRCOG”) and he has seen the light – the headlights on the busway buses. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: March 24, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_news_032411.asp

Stop The Busway; More Value In Rail Upgrade In this opinion piece the author suggests that the proposed New Britain to Hartford busway is an expensive, limited solution to central Connecticut's mass transit problems that could be more cost effectively addressed by restoration of rail service from Waterbury to Hartford. Officials should stop the busway project. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 23, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_022310.asp

Street Project Serves Highway, Not City A city/state project on the drawing board to improve traffic flow to I-84 by widening Broad Street may not be such a good idea. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 7, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_080705.asp

Street Wise: Taking the Rush Out of Traffic Traffic-calming measures Around Hartford have cut accidents, Speeds in several neighborhoods. Striping, raised and planted medians, left hand turn lanes and bicycle lanes are some of the techniques that transportation engineers have used to slow down traffic and make Hartford streets safer for everyone. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 8, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_050805.asp Related Link(s): Traffic Calming, State of the Practice" by Reid Ewing ; Institute of Transportation Engineers HartfordInfo Data: West End Neighborhood Map and General Profile

Summary of Interstate Viaduct Study, Public Workshop #1, November 19, 2009 A summary of the discussion at the first public workshop on the future of the Aetna viaduct, held on November 19, 2009. (PDF document, 9 pages) Published by City of Hartford
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/Summary_I84_Wrkshop1.pdf

Sure Route To Faster Bus Service Is Fewer Stops public transportation busses mass transit mass transportation express bus service Connecticut transit Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 09, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030908_1.asp

Surprise Setback For CTfastrak A state Department of Transportation hearing officer recently dealt a startling setback to the politically powerful CTfastrak project, ruling that busway engineers cannot simply close off part of Hartford's Flower Street to pedestrian traffic. The state transportation department must either leave Flower open or build a $4 million set of switchback ramps to carry pedestrians and bicyclists over the busway. Neighborhood activists and merchants praised the decision, saying that a Flower Street shutdown would have damaged nearby small businesses and split the city's Frog Hollow and Asylum Hill sections. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 21, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_052113.asp

Survey: Farther To Work We Go The latest national survey of commuting patterns, Commuting in America III, shows that drivers are traveling longer distances to work and, of course, taking more time to get there. In Connecticut, the state Department of Transportation says the average commute for a Connecticut worker increased from 21.1 minutes in 1991 to 24.8 minutes in 2005. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 23, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_102306.asp

Taking Rail Plans To The People After years of rolling along without public opposition, the proposal for Springfield-to-New Haven commuter rail service is taking some hard bounces in Wallingford. More than two dozen residents applauded at a public meeting Thursday night when critics declared the system would be an unwelcome, overly expensive intrusion into their community. Minutes later, though, a bigger share of the audience clapped when another speaker declared that Wallingford should embrace the project as the foundation for a downtown renaissance. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 07, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_080711.asp

Taking the High Road The Aetna Viaduct is an elevated stretch of Interstate 84 that runs over Hartford for about 3/5 of a mile, dividing the north and south ends of Hartford. Recently, the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced a $100 million rehabilitation of the viaduct. However, a group of Hartford community groups have joined together under the banner of the Aetna Viaduct Alternatives Committee and they’ve asked the DOT to use the chance to not only make repairs, but to incorporate a public process in its planning for the long term. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 7, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_advocate_060707.asp

Taking The Road Out Of Town Tom Condon writes about a movement to remove highways as a way to improve the livability of cities. He suggests that city officials and the state Department of Transportation should all be looking at I-84 as land-use plans for the city of Hartford are developed. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 11, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_061106.asp

Taxis Ready For Fares Taxi drivers hope for more passengers and business at the opening and the future use of the Connecticut Convention Center. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 30, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_053005.asp

Terminal B On Its Last Days At Bradley International Airport It's not easy finding someone, anyone, to sing the praises of America's oldest operating airport terminal. The Murphy Terminal at Bradley International Airport, opened in 1952 and also known as Terminal B, is a drab ghost town — agentless ticket counters, frozen escalators, vacant food service spaces. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 14, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_041410.asp

The Bus No Longer Stops Here As of a couple weeks ago, CT Transit buses no longer enter the Bowles Park housing project in Hartford after 7 p.m. on weeknights and Saturdays. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 14, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_121406.asp

The Busway Brings Jobs While the Malloy administration is trying to create jobs in Connecticut, some mid-state meddlers are trying their best to throttle economic development by opposing the proposed Hartford-New Britain busway. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 03, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_080311.asp

The Development of Hartford's Neighborhood Traffic Calming Master Plan - Final Report This report presents ideas and concepts for a variety of traffic calming and traffic management strategies developed through community meetings. The aim is to improve safety, access, mobility, quality of life and livability. Published by City of Hartford ; Publication Date: July 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/wsd_102306.asp Related Link(s): Urban Engineers

The Future of Interstate I-84: Reasons and Alternatives for Moving I-84 Through Hartford Video A video of the April 15, 2008 community program, The Future of Interstate I-84: Reasons and Alternatives for Moving I-84 Through Hartford, which was held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: April 15, 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_04_15_2008.asp

The Hartford To Help Fill Potholes In Hartford The Hartford Insurance Company will foot the bill, to the tune of $8,000, for city crews to fix potholes in what company representatives said was a way to give back to the community. And they want drivers to go to a website where they can name their most loathed pothole. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 16, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_101609.asp

The I-84 Hartford Project This website presents information about the I-84 Hartford Project is a Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) project to address structural deficiencies within the I-84 corridor approximately between Flatbush Avenue (Exit 45) and the I-91 interchange in Hartford. The I-84 Hartford Project will examine the feasibility of a wide range of concepts and, in collaboration with state and federal agencies, stakeholders, and the public, make a final recommendation on how to reconstruct this section of the I-84 corridor. Published by The I-84 Project
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/wsd_071413.asp

The Obsession with Destruction More and more, blogger Kerri Provost turns to sources like The Hartford News because they at least cover the spectrum of experience in the city. The articles encourage civic and community participation. They represent the diversity of experience. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: October 27, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_102710.asp

The Spirit of LAZ Alan Lazowski, the founder of LAZ Parking, the fourth largest commercial parking operation in the country, with regional offices across the country, with 6,000 employees, with more than 425,000 parking spaces, is profiled in this article. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: October 03, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/hbj_100311.asp

The Transit Solution Lyle Wray, the executive director of the Capitol Region Council of Governments sees a real opportunity for the capital region to create an alternative to the car-centered life. It's called transit-oriented development, or TOD. The basic idea is simple - use transit stops, whether busway or commuter rail stations or enhanced bus stops, as the nucleus for a mix of housing, retail, offices and street enhancements. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 9, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_100905_b.asp

The View From L.A.: Hartford Can Change, Too Because it is so heavily dependent on cars and highways, Hartford has sometimes been thought of as a smaller version of Los Angeles. It would be hard to spin that as a compliment. But as with many stereotypes, this one is dated. Los Angeles has begun to drastically change how citizens interact with its built environment. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 05, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120510.asp

There's No Better Time For Transit Donald J. DeFronzo, who represents New Britain, Berlin and Farmington in the Connecticut Senate, writes that while Connecticut is confronted by a growing energy and transportation crisis, state policy-makers need to recognize and take advantage of the enormous opportunity for advancing the cause of mass transit. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 30, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_063008.asp

Thinking Big on Eradicating I-84 Ken Krayeske comments that attending a meeting about the future of Hartford, provided the opportunity to consider the prospect of tearing down the I-84 viaduct to repair the fabric of the city, and provided a rare tangible point to chart a goal once deemed unimaginable. Published by The 40-Year Plan ; Publication Date: November 24, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/yrplan_112409.asp

Three New Members Appointed To Hartford Parking Authority For the first time in months, the Hartford Parking Authority has a full complement of five members. The appointments of Rex Fowler, Jose Rene Martinez Onofre and William R. Breetz were confirmed by the city council earlier this week. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 17, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_021711.asp

Three Top Democrats In Legislature Skeptical About Rell's Mass Transit Plans As Gov. M. Jodi Rell was seeking $486 million in bonding for two mass transit projects, she got tough questions from an unexpected source: Democratic legislators. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 08, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_080810.asp

Ticket Time: New Push On Parking Rules Unpaid meters and poorly parked cars are no longer likely to get a free pass in downtown Hartford. In what officials say is a bid to make it easier for those interested in stopping downtown to find a parking space, a new era of enforcement is about to begin. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 22, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_022206.asp

Tied Into Transit State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier has proposed a $100 million fund to aid working families in Connecticut to afford housing. The fund would be financed by bonds, unclaimed bank accounts, and assets held by the state. Housing near transit lines and stations has been successful in in other cities and Connecticut should be able to benefit similarly. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 21, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/housing/htfd_courant_032105.asp

Time To Bring Car-Sharing Service To Downtown Hartford? With the University of Connecticut moving its Greater Hartford campus to downtown Hartford, and with a handful of new residential developments on the drawing board, already challenging traffic and parking problems could get worse. One way to help alleviate this congestion would be car-sharing. Business For Downtown Hartford, the downtown marketing and advocacy group, is conducting a short online survey to see if residents, workers and visitors are interested in having a Zipcar service downtown. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 09, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_070913.asp

Tolls: Connecticut's Route Out Of Transportation Fund Shortage? After years of pitching the same idea, Rep. Tony Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill, has heard all the objections to levying tolls on Connecticut highways. As co-chairman of the General Assembly's transportation committee, Guerrera this winter is introducing yet another legislative proposal to put up high-tech, all-electronic tolls at eight key entry points to the state: two each on I-84 and I-95 and one each on the Merritt Parkway, I-91, I-395 and Route 6. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 19, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_011911.asp

Tour De Hartford There might be no better way to show off Hartford than to take people around the city on a walk or bike ride. That's what the Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance was betting when it started the Discover Hartford Bicycling and Walking Tour in 2007. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 17, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_091708.asp

Tourist Trolley May Ferry Visitors From Hartford Wethersfield has some new wheels that officials hope will literally bring tourists to the town's historic district. A new trolley-bus, designed to transport conventioneers and their families from Hartford to Old Wethersfield and back, was unveiled recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_071506.asp

Trains Could Put Hartford At Center Of Region Tom Condon expresses the opinion that with high-speed rail connections to Boston or New York, companies could shift back office or manufacturing work to Hartford. And, people could more easily live here and work in the larger cities, or vice-versa. Instead of being two regions, Boston and New York would become a mega-region - with Connecticut right in the center. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 22, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_042207.asp

Transit Fare Hikes Are Wrong Way To Go When Gov. Dannel Malloy was forced by the then-recalcitrant state unions to produce a Plan B budget to cover a $1.6 billion deficit, the cuts that didn't make sense were the fare increases on Metro-North, Shore Line East and transit buses. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 24, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072411.asp

Transit Funds Could Go Far Dozens of highway projects, transit improvements, new pedestrian pathways and other proposals throughout Connecticut received major funding boosts under a new federal transportation law. Connecticut's annual highway funding will increase by 19 percent. The state also will receive more than $130 million in one-time money for earmarked projects. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 11, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_081105.asp

Transit Improvements for the Hartford Region A pdf version of the PowerPoint presentation made at the public meeting held at the Hartford Public Library on March 16, 2011, about the proposed New Britain to Hartford busway and New Haven/Hartford/Springfield passenger rail. (PDF document, 33 pages) Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: March 2011
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/Transit_Improvements_Hartford_Region_2011_03_16.pdf

Transit Improvements for the Hartford Region This page will collect together various document about proposed transit improvements in the Greater Hartford region. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: 2011
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_transportation_plans_crcog.asp

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Concept Proposals for New Britain - Hartford Busway This document shows the development concept proposals for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the vicinity of various stops along the proposed New Britain - Hartford Busway. (PDF file, 6 pages) Published by Capital Region Council of Governments ; Publication Date: March 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/transportation/HartfordTODBoards.pdf City of Hartford

Transit Plan Funding Proposed House Speaker James Amann, D-Milford, recently proposed a $5 billion funding plan to improve railroads, upgrade highways and expand bus service - projects expected to be funded evenly by federal and state funds. The state portion would be $2.5 billion over 10 years in state bonds, which would be paid partially by further increasing the gross receipts tax on petroleum products, beyond already scheduled increases. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 9, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_030906.asp

Transit Plan Holds Key to Prosperity Governor Rell and the General Assembly's Transportation Committee's recent actions show that Connecticut might see a multi-modal transit system that would keep Connecticut competitive with rapidly growing regional neighbors New York and New Jersey. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 3, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/htfd_courant_040305.asp Related Link(s): Regional Plan Association ; Stewart Still Upbeat About Busway ; Rally Behind Busway

Transit Riders Beware: Fare Hikes, Service Cuts Coming Connecticut transit riders beware: Service cuts and fare hikes are just around the corner. Even though state legislators maintained transportation funding levels this year, the state's transportation fund will face a deficit soon. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 06, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_060610.asp

Transit Thrives On Density It's very hard to serve sprawl by transit. If we want to make transit work, two things have to happen: People need to live near it, and it has to go where they want to go. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 05, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_060511.asp

Transit: A Ticket To Hartford Prosperity Mayor Eddie Perez writes that to compete in today's global economy, Hartford must be an international destination as well. Easier access to transportation can play a major role in city, regional and state growth. That is why it is essential that Hartford take the lead and work with the surrounding communities to achieve a seamless regional transportation system. The busway connecting the suburbs to the city is just one element of the bigger picture called transit-oriented development that must be envisioned. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_011308.asp

Transit: Connect The Dots Toni Gold reviews three of the transportation bills now in the General Assembly that seek to fund the same transit projects: more rail cars for Metro-North, and more funds for the Hartford-New Britain busway. In fact, transit is the largest area of overlap in the bills, and that's an encouraging sign. But is that enough? How about making public transit not only the lead transportation program in the coming years, but the lead economic development strategy as well? Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 23, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_042306.asp

Transportation Funding Comes Up Far Short The vision for a nationwide multimodal transportation system certainly did not shine forth from the $105 billion surface transportation bill passed by Congress and signed into law last week by President Obama. The bill provides essentially level funding for roads and transit when both are in dire need of much more funding. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_071312_1.asp

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) FFY 2005-2009 A list of all federally funded transportation projects in the Capitol Region. The projects included in this list are all scheduled to receive federal transportation funds within the next five years. The TIP is prepared and approved annually. Published by Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) ; Publication Date: May 26, 2004
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_052604.asp Related Link(s): Capitol Region Transportation Plan

True High-Speed Rail Would Revolutionize Northeast High-speed rail may be the transportation project that gives the Northeast the competitive advantage in the 21st Century economy. If trains zipped between Boston, Hartford, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington at average speeds of 160 mph-plus, with local service to smaller cities as well, this would give the Northeast a leg up on Chicago, Seattle or Los Angeles and help it keep pace with London, Shanghai and other world cities that are proceeding with similar investments. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 25, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072510.asp

Try Regional Bus Shelters Hartford has been dithering over its bus shelter contract for a couple of years. As a result, maintenance has slipped and many of the shelters are covered with graffiti and awash in litter. A number of shelters have broken or missing panels of Plexiglas, compromising their ability to offer shelter. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 21, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022105.asp

Two Legislators Fighting Busway Funding Two never-say-die state lawmakers recently took another long-shot bid at stopping the New Britain-to-Hartford busway. State Sen. Joe Markley, R-Southington, and Rep. Whit Betts, R-Bristol, proposed a bill that would divert all state funding for the busway to bridge and road repairs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 18, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_011812.asp

Two Sides Dig In As Decision Approaches A contingent of local business leaders said restoring Hartford-to-Bridgeport passenger train service through Bristol could spur economic development up and down the line, benefiting Plymouth and New Britain as well as their own city. Representatives from local construction unions and New Britain-area developers insisted that such a plan is long-term as well as a long shot, and argued that proceeding with the Hartford-to-New Britain busway project is the much better choice. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 01, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030111.asp

Under the Busway Recently, the Department of Transportation held a reconsideration hearing for the ruling on Flower Street. Unfortunately, only few of the stakeholders were notified of the new hearing date. Opponents learned of the hearing as a result of a FOIA request. Because the DOT did not provide sufficient advance notice about the nature of evidence to be presented at the reconsideration hearing, stakeholders are being permitted to submit written testimony. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: January 25, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_012513.asp

Unions Say They'll Be Watching As Out-Of-State Company Walks Away With Big Busway Contract Stung by the award of a $130 million busway deal to a nonunion contractor from Massachusetts, the Laborers' union says it plans a tough campaign to hold the company to the letter of labor and safety laws. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 31, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_033112.asp

United Effort Would Burnish Hartford's Hub In this opinion piece, Nicholas Caruso suggests that were several initiatives coordinated, Hartford could pull off a phenomenal, comprehensive urban project that would include highway revision, greenway development, neighborhood rehabilitation, transit development and green design. The city would essentially replace a transportation system that has ripped apart the city with a multifaceted green corridor that would tie it back together. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 8, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_060808.asp

Unlock Airport's Potential For Business Opportunities Tom Condon questions if Bradley International Airport is optimally managed to grow international as well as domestic business. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 15, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_031509.asp

Updated Budd Cars In Passenger Rail Mix Budd cars! If ever there was an idea whose time should come again, it is the Budd car -- as long as certain mechanical issues, well-remembered in Connecticut, can be avoided. The Budd Company, founded in Philadelphia nearly a century ago, made a number of products, notably stainless steel rail cars, distinctive self-propelled railcars -- a "train in one car" -- known as Budd cars. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 12, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_091213.asp

Updates on Hartford Transportation Initiatives at City Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee The recent transportation update meeting was geared for transportation insiders, or at least for those who have been closely following these issues for the last thirty years. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: January 04, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_010410.asp

UTC’s Fuel Cell Bus Gets Mixed Reviews A preliminary federal report on Connecticut Transit’s $2.4 million prototype fuel cell hybrid bus found the bus’ first 15 months of operation were marked by limited availability because of maintenance issues. However, the transportation agency and UTC Power said they are pleased with the progress of improving the region’s first fuel cell bus. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: November 20, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/environment/hbj_112008.asp

Valet Venture Grows Into Parking Behemoth In 1981, Alan Lazowski spotted a way to make some money the summer before his senior year of college: start a valet parking service for a restaurant on Asylum Street in downtown Hartford. He borrowed $3,000 from his grandfather, hired four valets and parked cars for Frank's Restaurant, where Max Downtown is today. Soon, Lazowski signed other nearby restaurants. By the end of the summer he had five locations and 30 employees. Today, Lazowski's summer venture has blossomed into LAZ Parking, the fourth-largest parking company in the country. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 07, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_110710.asp

Walking and Biking To The Transit Stop Though the construction may seem endless, CTFastrak bus rapid transit and the upgraded Springfield-Hartford-New Haven commuter rail service will begin in 2015 and 2016, respectively. We need to be ready for it. We need to develop a regional bike share program similar to what is available in more than 500 cities around the world. The key is to create a regional template so the systems at each station are compatible. In addition, it makes sense to target the 16 station areas for priority investment in "complete streets," streets that allow good and safe pedestrian and bicycle connections. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 07, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_080713.asp

Waterbury To Hartford Rail Line Would Be Costly, Official Says The New Haven to Springfield commuter rail project is on the fast track, but don't expect to see passenger trains running from Waterbury to Hartford any time soon, the state's transportation chief told disappointed business executives recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 21, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_052109.asp

We Must Raise Connecticut's Gas Tax To Fix Roads, Bridges In this opinion piece, the author suggests that last year, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed a 3-cent-per-gallon increase in the state's gas tax. The General Assembly rejected it out of hand. This year, the lawmakers should find the courage to pass it, politically unpopular though it may be. The state's roads and bridges need to be repaired, and the people who repair them don't work for free. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 08, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030812.asp

West End Parking Woes The revival of the Farmington Avenue corridor has had unfortunate consequences. Several excellent new restaurants have moved in, but they are drawing more customers than they have parking for. Unsuspecting customers leave their cars in private parking areas, and the cars are towed. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 14, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_101407.asp

What Is the Future of I-84 in Hartford? Part II: A Citizen's Forum The elevated section of I-84, known as the Aetna Viaduct, is deteriorating. This document, based on a PowerPoint presentation from the forum, describes the situation as an opportunity to re-imagine the entire central area of Hartford building on the tenents of responsible growth, improved regional transportation, and intermodalism. Published by Hub of Hartford Steering Committee ; Publication Date: June 12, 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Transportation/wsd_061208.asp

What Is the Future of I-84 in Hartford? Part II: A Citizen's Forum Video A video of the June 12, 2008 community program, What Is the Future of I-84 in Hartford? Part II: A Citizen's Forum, which was held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: June 12, 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_06_12_2008.asp

What is this East Coast Greenway, Anyway? The majority of the East Coast Greenway — a route for non-motorized users which has been compared to an Interstate Highway System — is currently on-road. Existing since 1991, it connects major cities from Canada to Florida. The goal is to have 95% of the ECG off-road (separated from motor vehicles) by 2030. Oddly, the Intermodal Triangle Project, receiving partial funding through the TIGER program, is planning to take action that appears to set this goal back; although the ECG runs through Bushnell Park, where there are no vehicles besides those belonging to the Department of Public Works and the police, there are plans to move the ECG onto streets next to the park, pushing cyclists back out into traffic. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: September 12, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/realhtfd_091212.asp

What Street Parking Can Do For Downtowns As in other parts of the country, Connecticut towns and cities are struggling to revitalize their downtowns. A growing number of urban planners have pointed out that centers that have retained street parking, along with other compatible features of pre-1950s town centers, are some of the most successful downtowns in the country. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 18, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_051808.asp

Wheels Slowly Start Turning On New Haven-Springfield Rail Improvements Motorists are beginning to encounter brief construction delays at railroad crossings in central Connecticut, the first sign that work is under way on the long-planned Springfield-to-New Haven commuter rail system. For commuters on the busy I-91 corridor, the work offers at least a little hope of improved north-south rail service through the State within the next few years. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 31, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_123112.asp

When Pressing Doesn't Matter Reporters for the Courant studied the pedestrian walk-lights in downtown Hartford. They found consistently that it didn't matter if they pressed the walk signal button or not. The City engineer confirmed: Downtown Main Street buttons don't work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The walk signals work on a programmed schedule. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 03, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_090307.asp

Whoa On Busway: Project Would Block Rail, A Better Option In this opinion piece, the author suggests that restoring commuter rail service between Waterbury, Bristol and Hartford would be very important to the future economy of Connecticut, but it won't happen if the proposed New Britain-to-Hartford busway is approved. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 20, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_032011_1.asp

Why Not Get Trains Built Now? This commentary by James RePass, president of the National Corridors Initiative, suggests that Connecticut should take advantage of an opportunity to buy double-decker rail cars that are similar to those being manufactured for New Jersey Transit. The DOT is revitalizing the rail line between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield to serve commuters who otherwise must take the highway, or the infrequent, expensive Amtrak trains. The track work is getting underway and will be largely completed in two to three years. Buying the rail cars now would save money and time. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 29, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_102906.asp

Will Budget Cuts in Washington Mean Less Federal Cash for Connecticut's High-Speed Rail Project? According to state officials, just because the U.S. emergency budget deal chopped something like $1.5 billion from planned federal rail spending, that doesn't mean Connecticut won't get the $227 million it needs for the rail project it's been working on since 2006. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: April 21, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_advocate_042111.asp

Wilting Patience with Officials on Flower Street Ordeal Kerri Provost writes about the ongoing fight for transparency and respect from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: April 18, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/realhtfd_041813.asp

With A Little Boosting Bradley Airport Can Take Off To compete with other airports' lower prices, the authority needs to make Bradley a more convenient, fun and comfortable travel experience. If people "like" the airport, they will want to use it, show up earlier, relax and spend more money. So airport officials should promote what is already good, and invent what makes it better. Here are 10 ideas to develop and market the airport. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 27, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072712.asp

With Construction Imminent, Busway Opponents, Supporters Continue To Debate State legislators and city leaders say the soon-to-be-constructed busway will mean good times for central Connecticut. But Sedrick Nelson says his up-close view is a lot less rosy. Looking through his backyard fence to the planned path of the busway, Nelson says he wants no part of it in his neighborhood. Several neighbors joined him, saying they don't want the extra noise or traffic and are angry that the state is building a mass transit project right at the edge of their backyards without ever speaking with them. But, the state transportation department noted that the busway has been in the planning stages for more than a decade, and the exact path of the buswayhas been public for years. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 05, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_040512.asp

With State Delay, High-Speed Rail Funding Stuck At Station Alarmed by a potentially costly delay in the plan to land millions of federal dollars for high-speed rail service, House Speaker Christopher Donovan has asked Gov. M. Jodi Rell to speed up her share of the work. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 04, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120409.asp

Work On First Phase Of Hartford's iQuilt Plan Could Start Next Spring Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2014 on three areas crucial to the iQuilt plan — State House Square, Gold Street and Union Station — a first major step in making the city's center more easily navigated by pedestrians, cyclists and those who ride the bus. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 09, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_010913.asp

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