Governor Dannel Malloy launched a new transportation plan for the state called Let’s GO CT in early 2015.
“Let’s Go CT is an ambitious, decade spanning, multi billion dollar comprehensive plan that is aimed at revamp Connecticut’s railroads and other modes of transportation. A 30 year, long range plan that would move Connecticut to a best in class transportation system,” said Garry Feldman of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce.
Today, local businesses and government officials gathered at the Stamford Marriott to discuss this $100 billion plan with the Commissioner of the state’s Department of Transportation, James Redeker.
“Our bridges are in bad shape. 35 procaine to them are structurally deficient or obsolete. Our railway system is in bad shape, our roads always rated poorly,” said Redeker.
Redeker says Let’s GO CT aims to change all of this. Currently there are 400 bridges in the state that limit trucks’ weight to 80,000 pounds- that’s 20,000 less than the national standard. Many of these, Redeker says, are bridges on I95.
“About 50 percent of our bridges were built in the 50s or 60s, which means they are at the end of their useful life,” said Redeker.
Redeker says on average, it costs each Connecticut driver an extra $661 per year in matienence costs because of poor road conditions.
“This is actually a cost savings to people,” said Redeker.
Let’s Go CT reports that each driver in the state sits in an average of 40 hours of traffic each year. But the plan hopes to alleviate some of that with an upgraded rail and bus line.
“We have the busiest, the best commuter rail line in the country on the New Haven line. We have the Shoreline East system which is growing everyday. We have, soon to come, the Hartford line,” said Redeker.
Let’s GO CT calls for better bike and pedestrian access to roads, and a ramp up of port usage. Redeker says this will all improve the state’s economy.
For more information on the project, visit www.transformct.info.
