Department
of Transportation
At
a Glance
JEFFREY A. PARKER, Commissioner
Established
– October
1, 1969
Statutory
authority
- P.A. 69-768
Central
office – 2800
Berlin Turnpike,
Newington,
CT 06131-7546
Authorized
number of full-time employees – 3,294
Recurring
operating expenditures – $516.9 million
Capital
Budget – $848.5
million
Organizational
structure – Office of the Commissioner, Bureau of
Aviation and Ports, Bureau of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Engineering
and Construction, Bureau of Highway Operations, Bureau of Policy and Planning,
Bureau of Public Transportation, State Traffic Commission.
Mission
The mission of the Connecticut
Department of Transportation Department (Department) is to provide a safe and efficient
inter-modal transportation network that improves the quality of life and
promotes economic vitality for the State and the region.
Statutory Responsibility
The agency shall
be responsible for all aspects of the planning, development, maintenance and
improvement of transportation in the State (Section 13b-3 C.G.S.). The agency
serves its customers by providing safe and efficient systems for the movement
of people and goods within, to or from the State, whether by highway, air,
water, rail or other means (Section 13b-2[I]).
Information Reported as Required by
State Statute
The agency
shall develop and revise, biennially, a comprehensive long-range transportation
plan designed to fulfill the present and future needs of the State and to
assure the development and maintenance of an adequate, safe and efficient
transportation system (Section 13b-15 C.G.S). The purpose of the Master
Transportation Plan is to provide its customers, the Administration, the
General Assembly, local elected officials, and the general public with a
comprehensive understanding of the transportation projects and programs that
the agency will be pursuing over the next 10 years. The strategic goals of the agency are to
ensure safety, maintain the existing system, increase system productivity,
promote economic development and provide required capacity.
Affirmative
Action Policy
The Department of Transportation is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
It is the established policy of the Department to ensure equal
opportunity and to implement various affirmative action programs. All services and programs of the Department
are administered in a fair and impartial manner, pursuant to the State Code of
Fair Practices and all other relevant State and federal laws and regulations
including, but not limited to: C.G.S.
46a-60, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA). The
Department continues to work cooperatively with the Connecticut Commission on
Human Rights and Opportunities, the U. S. Department of Transportation and
other State and Federal compliance agencies in conducting various reviews and
providing requested information.
Improvements/Achievements 2009-10
For the Bureau of Aviation and Ports, FY 2009 was another year focused on
adapting to organizational changes, planning and implementing infrastructure improvements
and responding to economic upheaval in the airline sector.
Adapting
to Organizational Changes – In FY 2009, the Bureau successfully adapted
to organizational change brought on by the Department’s continuing efforts at
reorganization, continuous improvement and the State’s Retirement Incentive
Program (RIP).
- New Bradley Administrator – After a sustained
period of being lead by several acting airport administrators, the Bureau,
with the assistance of Human Resources, undertook a nationwide search for
a permanent administrator to lead Bradley International Airport. The process evolved and was fully undertaken
in FY 2008 and concluded successfully on June 2, 2008 with the hiring of
Jeffrey A. Schultes. Mr. Schultes has since resigned his position and the Department
has successfully refilled the position in record time. Mr. Eric Waldron was appointed and has
started work in his new position within a period of approximately three
months.
- RIP Impacts – Bradley International Airport was
hit hard by the State’s RIP. A
total of 14 employees retired, significantly impacting Bradley’s
maintenance, operations and fire fighting capabilities. The Bureau
successfully developed and the Department is implementing a transition
organization team allowing all essential services to continue.
Planning and Implementing
Infrastructure Improvements – The Bureau is continuing its
development of all the State-owned Airports and Waterways.
- Bradley International Airport – Bradley’s main
runway was successfully reconstructed in FY 2009. The project included milling, paving,
grooving and painting the entire runway, installing new runway lighting
and upgrading utility crossings. The project was completed on time and
within budget. The Bureau also
secured federal stimulus funding for reconstruction of Bradley’s secondary
(or “crosswind”) runway. This project
will commence in August 2009.
Bradley also undertook a solicitation process for rental car
services, providing the foundation for negotiation and financing of the
Bradley’s consolidated rental car facility to be located immediately
across from the main terminal.
- General Aviation - Projects undertaken at the
General Aviation Airports include the extension of Taxiway B and the
rehabilitation of the main apron at Windham Airport, both completed in FY
2009. The Bureau also commenced a
master plan update and a design and permit
project for safety area improvements at Groton Airport, an obstruction
analysis for all State-owned airports, and an environmental analysis and
relocation plan for Waterbury-Oxford Airport.
- Waterways - A project was bid in FY 2008 and
will be awarded shortly to rehabilitate the Rocky Hill/Glastonbury Ferry
landings including the dredging of approximately 4,000 cubic yards of
material.
Responding to Economic Upheaval in the Airline Sector – The
airline industry was plunged into economic turmoil in FY 2008 by the rising
cost of fuel and declining economy. This
has only worsened in FY 2009. Most major
airlines are in “survival mode” and have instituted major cuts in airline service
capacity in response to the situation.
The Bureau has implemented a plan to address the situation:
- Reduce the Operating Budget – During FY 2008,
the development of Bradley International Airport’s operating budget for FY
2009 was undertaken with the objective of lowering the budget in
comparison to FY 2008. A 1.4
percent budget reduction was achieved. During FY 2009, the development of
Bradley International Airport’s operating budget for FY 2010 was
undertaken with a similar objective.
A modest increase in the operating budget of 1.9 percent was
achieved.
- Lower Airline Rates – The modest increase in
the operating budget was reflected in lower airline revenue to the Bradley
Enterprise Fund. Bradley’s major
air carriers will pay lower total rents and charges to use the airport in
FY 2010 than they did in FY 2009.
- Expand the Air Service Area – The Bureau has
been studying service reductions implemented at other area airports and is
implementing programs to expand Bradley’s service area into those markets.
- Aggressively Market – The Bureau has
implemented a two-pronged marketing program designed to support use of
existing air services and attract new entrant airlines and destinations to
Bradley.
The
airlines unanimously approved the FY 2010 budget as a result of the actions
taken and the Bureau is positioning Bradley to take maximum advantage of the
airline business cycle when it again enters an expansion era.
The
Bureau of Engineering and Construction managed all programs and projects to
maximize federal funds allocated to Connecticut for improvements to all
transportation modes. In addition, as of
September 20, 2010 the Bureau has obligated all American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for State and municipal projects.
Major projects undertaken during this
period include the upgrade of the New Haven Rail Yard and Facilities, the West
Haven Railroad Station, resurfacing and safety improvements on I-95 in East
Lyme, bridge rehabilitation and catenary system
installation and improvements along the Metro-North rail system. The reconstruction of the major runways at
Bradley International Airport; repairs to the I-84 Aetna Viaduct in Hartford;
the replacement of the Amtrak Railroad bridge over Route 1 in Branford; the
construction of Route 7 (Brookfield Bypass); the reconstruction of Route 7 in
Danbury; the rereconstruction of I-95 in New Haven;
the resurfacing of Route 15 in Trumbull and Fairfield; the relocation of Route
72 in Bristol; the rehabilitation and widening of the Route 190 Bridge in
Suffield and Enfield; the reconstruction of the Grand Avenue Bridge in New
Haven; the construction of the Fairfield Metro Center Railroad Station;
railroad system improvements on Bridgeport; the construction of a bus facility
in New Haven; the reconstruction of Route 20 in East Granby; the reconstruction
of the Route 63 Bridge over the Naugatuck River in Naugatuck; the replacement
of the existing Bridge over the Housatonic river in Salisbury; safety and
operational improvements on Route 44 in Avon; the reconstruction of route 4 in
Farmington; and various other safety and operational improvements throughout
the State.
The largest Capital Program within the
Department’s current plan is the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor
Improvement Program. The Program
includes both roadway and transit improvements to increase capacity and reduce
congestion between New Haven and Branford. The reconstruction and widening of
I-95, east of the existing Quinnipiac River Bridge (the Q-Bridge), in New
Haven, East Haven and Branford, was completed in 2008. Three lanes on I-95 southbound are now open
from Interchange 54 in Branford to the existing Q-Bridge in New Haven (4.5
miles). The foundation and west approach
construction for the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge (replacement of the
Q-Bridge) commenced in April 2008 and construction of the I-95 northbound to
Route 34 eastbound flyover commenced in October 2008. The contract to construct the new Pearl
Harbor Memorial Bridge commenced in November 2009. The major work to
reconstruct the I-95/I-91/Route 34 Interchange was advertised for bids in spring
2010. The bid opening will occur in
October 2010 with construction commencing in spring 2011. The entire New Haven Crossing Corridor
Improvement Program is estimated to cost over $2.2 billion and will be
completed in late 2016.
The design of the New Britain-Hartford Busway is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. Construction is expected to start in 2011 and
take approximately two years, resulting in an anticipated revenue operations
date for the bus rapid transit system of 2013.
The Department’s Bridge Safety and
Evaluation Section continued to aggressively inspect, evaluate and inventory
the structural condition of more than 5,000 bridges, 1,800 overhead sign
supports, 900 traffic signal mast arm supports. Bridges are typically inspected at two-year
intervals; however, some bridges are inspected more frequently due to
significant structural deterioration.
This critical function helps to ensure the safety of the traveling
public through the identification of bridge deficiencies and needs in a
systematic and timely manner.
The Department’s Utilities Section with
the cooperation of the Connecticut Siting Council
(CSC) in accordance with the Governor’s Office’s request to preserve and
protect the Department’s forgotten Scenic Lands has successfully modified its
procedure for reviewing the application of the new telecommunication tower in
the State to ensure the location of the proposed telecommunication tower will
not impact the State’s scenic lands. The Department has successfully worked
with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Council on Environmental
Quality, the CSC and the Governor’s Office to address all concerns related to
the State’s Scenic Lands.
The Department’s Utilities Section and
the Office of Construction are continuing with their efforts ensure the impacts
of the newly installed underground 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission facilities to
the Department’s current and future roadway improvement projects will be
adequately addressed. However, as a result of the transmission facility
conflicts with the State Projects, any reasonable costs incurred by the
Department to resolving the conflicts within State’s projects will be
reimbursed to the State by either the United Illuminating Company or The Connecticut
Light and Power Company (CL&P).
Additionally, CL&P has submitted to
the Department for review their proposed Development and Management (D&M)
Plans for the construction of approximately 2.7 miles of new overhead 345 kV
transmission line within an existing right-of-way from Manchester to Meekville Junction in Manchester which will be crossing
various state roads. The D&M Plans are currently under review by the
Department. This Transmission Project is part of the New England East-West
Solution for additional electrical transmission facilities. Whenever State highways may be affected, the
Department will continue to cooperate on future transmission projects. NU’s
multi-billion dollar transmission projects have placed Connecticut at the forefront
in resolving existing problems with the regional transmission system attaining
national and regional reliability standards, thus assuring the adequacy and
availability of electric power.
The Department’s Office of Rights of Way
completed 137 acquisitions of real property for various transportation
initiatives at a cost of $10,577,670.00.
A total
of 142 relocation
payments were made to displaced residential and business owners and tenants at
a cost of $1,063,583.00. Some 31 parcels
of State land were sold during the year producing $1,639,186.00 in sales
revenue. Long- and short-term leases of
State highway property produced $1,632,120.00 in rental income.
The
Bureau of Maintenance and Highway
Operations provided roadway and roadside maintenance to 5,682 effective
two-lane miles of roadway and provided snow removal and other roadway maintenance
services to 61 State agencies. With respect to snow and ice control, there were 12 winter storms which required
the use of 175,000 tons of sodium
chloride and 752,268
gallons of liquid calcium chloride and 0
cubic yards of sand abrasives applied by 632 State trucks and 212 contracted trucks. Maintenance of
existing roadways included 276.16
miles of vendor-applied bituminous concrete overlay. In addition, 9,045 feet
of drainage pipe was installed along with 451 drainage structures. During the
past year, maintenance repairs were performed on 940 of the 3,831 state-maintained
bridges through the combined efforts of Department personnel and contractors.
The Traffic Services Units painted 5,083
2-lane miles of center lines and lane lines; erected 2,536 new
traffic regulatory, warning and directional signs; renewed or removed 6,602
miles containing 22,060 of state maintained highway illuminating lights and
installed 6 new traffic signals and 121 traffic signal revisions.
There were 3,219 highway encroachment
permits issued. The Oversize/Overweight Permits Unit collected
$2,516,306.90 for the issuance of 81,533 oversize/overweight permits,
294 radioactive permits and 193 industrial permits.
The Department’s computerized traffic
control signal systems include a total of 937 traffic signals on 58 major
arterials in 54 municipalities. The Newington and Bridgeport Operations Centers
monitor 311 highway cameras, operate 121 variable message signs and 14 highway
advisory radio stations. The Operations Centers responded to a total of 2,935
reported incidents on the State’s limited access highway system. The
Department’s Connecticut Highway Assistance Motorist Patrol (CHAMP) Program
provided highway assistance to a total of 13,263 motorists along the I-95
corridor from the New York state line to the Branford/Guilford town line,
in the greater Hartford area the CHAMP Program provided assistance to 9,859
motorists.
The Bureau
of Finance and Administration is responsible for the following functions
within the Department: Finance,
Operations and Support, Office of Information Systems, Office of External
Audits, Office of Human Resources, Office of Enterprise Funds and Contracts,
and the Office of Organizational Development.
The following is a summary of some of the key initiatives being
undertaken in the Bureau:
A project closeout team was formed in
the beginning of October 2008 with representatives from the Department’s
operational areas and United State’s Department of Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA). The
Department seeks to close out projects and release unused State and federal
funding for obligation on new projects.
The Department is moving forward and making progress with the Project
Closeout and Final Voucher initiative, closing 286 projects in FY 2010 and
releasing $7,596,339.32 in federal funding.
Our goal for FY 2011 is 300 projects.
Unexpended balances are a focus for the FHWA, General Accounting Office, as well as Congress. FHWA and Congress do not want federal funds sitting stagnant and not providing transportation improvements. In 2009, Connecticut's federal inactive funding balances ranked second worst in the nation. In November 2009, FHWA and the Department entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to reduce the federal inactive percentage from 14 percent to 5 percent by the end of FFY 2010. An interim goal of 9 percent was set for the end of calendar year 2009. Through mutual efforts, the Department beat the deadline articulated in the MOA and reduced its federal inactive list to below 5 percent by June 2010. Today, by continuing to focus on inactive projects with unexpended balances, the Department has reduced the inactive balance to 3.3 percent of our total federal program. By working with the project managers and having them provide a current status, the Department will be able to stay ahead of projects that will appear on the list in the future.
The Department continues its efforts at
streamlining its contracting and agreement processes. In FY 2010, a
Master Municipal Agreement (MMA) was drafted.
The objective is to execute a master funding agreement with the
municipalities with the intent of reducing the time it takes the State to
process funding agreements. The MMA is
anticipated to cover a 10 year term and incorporate all state and federal rules
and regulations related to the funding programs the Department administers to
the municipalities. The MMA is designed
to cover design projects, rights of way activities, construction projects,
wheelchair accessible motor vehicle purchases, transportation services for the
elderly and disabled and alternative fuel vehicle procurement. In FY 2010, attorneys for the Department
drafted the MMA working closely with the administering units. The MMA was reviewed with the Regional
Planning Organizations and feedback from their attorneys was incorporated. The MMA was further reviewed with both the
FHWA and Federal Transit Administration, with feedback incorporated as
well. The MMA is now under review at the
Attorney General’s office.
The Department has established a
performance target for its Contracts unit to award construction projects within
60 days of the Department's receipt of bids. During this 60 day period,
the Contract's unit reviews all bids for accuracy, status of contractor
qualifications, ensures that environmental permits and rights of way
requirements are in order, verifies project funding is in place and ensures the
proper federal approvals have been received. Performance against
this target is assessed regularly through self-reporting by the unit and
this structure has served the Department well. In FY 2010, 87
percent of all of the Department's awards met this target, in comparison to 51
percent being awarded in less than 60 days in FY 2009. In addition
to the reduction in days to award, the number of contracts awarded
increased by 57 percent in this same period (from 54 awards in FY 2008 to 85 in
FY 2009).
The Department is presently preparing
for the expiration of the 30 year air carrier operating agreement at Bradley
International Airport that governs the Airport’s budget development and rate
setting processes.
The Department entered into a 35 year
Concessions Agreement with a new operator during SFY 2010 to operate the 23
Service Plazas located on I-95, I-395 and Route 15. The Concessions Agreement requires the
operator to redevelop the 23 plazas by May 2015. The redevelopment calls for the knock-down
and rebuilding of three locations and extensive renovations at the remaining
locations.
The Bureau
of Policy and Planning conducts planning studies and associated activities
for the movement of people and goods for all modes of transportation including
highway, rail, bus, aviation, maritime, rideshare/commuter parking facilities,
bicycle and recreational. Documentation
of proposed alternatives with environmental analyses are
prepared for all proposed projects through a public process. The Bureau interacts with Legislative and
Congressional members and staff, as well as nationally recognized
transportation organizations, on various transportation bills including major
authorizations and appropriation bills for surface transportation, intercity
passenger rail and aviation.
The Bureau administered programs during
the 2009-2010 fiscal year for commuter parking
facilities, pedestrian access, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School. This program provides support for
infrastructure projects and educational training for bicycle and pedestrian
safety. The Bureau has assisted with the
administrative functions of the new legislatively established CT Bicycle and
Pedestrian Advisory Board.
Continuing major studies include the
Waterbury and New Canaan Branch Lines Study; Groton – New London Airport
Major planning studies initiated include
the Route 15 at Interchange 59 – Deficiencies and Needs Study (Woodbridge and
New Haven) and the New Haven Rail Line.
The State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and Bicycle Map update, Buckland
Area Transportation Study, Danielson Airport
An Environmental
Assessment for an improved or “Start-up” Commuter Rail Service from New Haven
to Springfield had previously been initiated.
The
focus has been expanded to include the potential for future High Speed and
Intercity Passenger Rail service along this corridor. The Bureau was
involved in the preparation of grant applications, including the development of
the 2030 Vision for High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Service in New
England.
The Bureau updated
performance measures and targets for bridge and road conditions, photolog savings, congestion management, highway safety,
recycling, project delivery, and rail, bus and airport operations. A total of 31 measures are placed on the
Department’s performance measures webpage on a quarterly basis for public
access. The Bureau developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the
Department of Environmental Protection regarding implementation of Flood
Management Certification for the Grant programs administrated by the Department.
The Bureau also
coordinates with the State and federal regulatory agencies in order to obtain
the required water resource permits. In
addition, the Bureau performs inspections of active construction sites to
ensure compliance with permit conditions.
The
Bureau developed the 2010 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
and has made modifications throughout the year.
The Bureau published a Public Involvement Procedures document after
soliciting public comments. The Bureau
initiated the updating of the 2007 Transportation
in Connecticut: Existing Systems document.
The Bureau had also been actively involved in the solicitation and
scheduling of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects and the
coordination of the approval of these projects through the Regional Planning
Organizations (RPOs). The Bureau is
continuing its investigation into the use of an electronic Statewide
Transportation Improvement Program (ESTIP) to facilitate project approvals
between the Department, the RPOs and federal agencies. The Bureau also developed various
transportation planning-related documents and documentation required by the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and provided extensive support for the
Transportation Strategy Board program initiatives. Air quality conformity model runs were
completed for various transportation projects to assure compliance with the
Clean Air Act emission goals. The Bureau
also administers an ARRA funded diesel retrofitting program for non-road
construction vehicles and equipment on construction projects aimed at reducing
diesel emissions in New Haven and Fairfield Counties.
A survey was conducted and a report
published on usage of High Occupancy Vehicle facilities in the Greater Hartford
region. Bureau staff represented the
Department on the Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) Advisory Board and
coordinated the Department’s review and submittal of comments on various NRZ
strategic plans. Staff also represented the Department at a hearing held by the
Connecticut General Assembly’s Continuing Committee on State Planning and
Development to obtain input from State agencies on the process for revising the
State Plan of Conservation and Development (Plan) and provided input on
integrating Smart Growth Principles into the Plan.
The Bureau prepares an annual planning
document, which addresses a set of highway and traffic safety problems with the
goal of reducing fatalities and injuries as the result of motor vehicle crashes
on Connecticut’s roads. These traffic
safety program areas include Impaired Driving, Occupant Protection and Child
Passenger Safety, Police Traffic Services, Motorcycle Safety, Roadway Safety
and Traffic Records.
In addition, the Bureau maintains the
State’s traffic counting program, accident records system and an inventory of
the highway system. This data, as well
as future land use and employment projections, is used to estimate future
travel demand, identify current and future capacity deficiencies, analyze
alternate highway and transit improvement, and is used in environmental
studies.
The Bureau provides Geographic
Information System software and application development support for the
Department. The Bureau has begun
development of a new comprehensive digitized road network which comprises
roughly 27,000 miles of roadways. This
network will support many high level initiatives such as evacuation planning,
emergency response, capacity planning, oversized and overweight permitting and
routing analysis.
The Bureau of Policy and Planning has
worked to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of
Environmental Protection regarding implementation of a Flood Management
Certification for the Grant programs administrated by the Department. This MOU
will streamline the Flood Management Certification process and avoid the
duplication of effect within the two agencies.
The Bureau of Policy and Planning
published the 2009 Master Transportation Plan, the State’s
long-range transportation plan titled, Connecticut
on the Move, Strategic Long-Range Transportation Plan 2009 – 2035 (2009 LRP), and has completed the Public Involvement Guidance Manual, Revision
of 2009. The Bureau developed, with
technical assistance from the Department’s Office of Research and Materials, a
streaming video on the development and contents of the Draft 2009 LRP as part
of the Department’s public outreach efforts to solicit public input on the
document. The Bureau also updated the existing
2007 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) throughout the year
and is in the process of developing the Draft 2010 STIP. The Bureau has developed a draft Public
Involvement Procedures document which will go out for public review late summer
or early fall 2009. The Bureau has been actively involved in the solicitation
and scheduling of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects from the
Regional Planning Organizations (RPOs) throughout the State and continues to
coordinate the review and approval of these projects through the RPO’s. The Bureau also developed various
transportation planning-related documents and documentation required by the
Federal Highway Administration, and provided extensive support for the
Transportation Strategy Board program initiatives, studies and projects. The Bureau continues to participate in
various planning studies Statewide in coordination with the RPO’s and other State
agencies. Air quality conformity model
runs were completed for various transportation projects to assure compliance
with the emissions goals of the Clean Air Act.
A survey was conducted and a report published on usage of High Occupancy
Vehicle facilities in the Greater Hartford region. Bureau staff also represented the Department
on the Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) Advisory Board and coordinated
the Department’s review and submittal of comments on various NRZ strategic
plans, and gave a power point presentation on “ConnDOT’s
Functions” and the planning process to participants in the Danbury Leadership
Program and the Fairfield County Leadership Group. Bureau staff provided technical support for
the Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change.
The Bureau of Policy and Planning
prepares an annual planning document which addresses a set of highway and traffic
safety problems with the goal of reducing fatalities and injuries as the result
of motor vehicle crashes on Connecticut roads.
These traffic safety program areas include Impaired Driving, Occupant
Protection and Child Passenger Safety, Police Traffic Services, Motorcycle
Safety, Roadway Safety and Traffic Records.
Also included is the Safe Routes to School program, which provides
support for infrastructure projects and educational training for bicycle and
pedestrian safety, and Operation Lifesaver, a national non-profit public
information program dedicated to improving public safety by reducing the number
of injuries and fatalities associated with at-grade railroad crossing crashes
and accidents involving railroad trespass.
In
addition, the Bureau of Policy and Planning maintains the State’s traffic
counting program, accident records system and an inventory of the highway
system. This data, as well as future
land use and employment projections, is used to estimate future travel demand,
identify current and future capacity deficiencies, and analyze alternate
highway and transit improvement – and is used in environmental studies.
The Bureau of Policy and Planning provides
Geographic Information System software and application development support for
the Department. The Bureau has begun
development of a new comprehensive digitized road network which comprise approximately
27,000 miles of roadways. This network
will support many high-level initiatives such as evacuation planning, emergency
response, capacity planning, oversized and overweight permitting, and routing
analysis.
The
Bureau of Public Transportation’s
mission is to provide mobility to the residents of the State; enhance economic development;
ensure access to jobs; and improve environmental quality by providing safe,
efficient, economical and reliable transportation alternatives.
Ridership
growth has been uneven this year (when compared to SFY 2009) as commuters and
discretionary riders were affected by the overall economic downturn which has
negatively impacted all modes of travel.
Rail
ridership was down 4.2 percent on the New Haven Line over the first six months
of fiscal 2010 (July through December 2009) and then rebounded in the second
half (January through June 2010) showing a 2.0 percent increase. Rail ridership was down 11.0 percent on Shore
Line East over the first six months of fiscal 2010 and then rebounded in the
second half (January through June 2010) showing a 0.7 percent decrease. New train service to/from New London was
added in the second half of SFY2010.
Eight new trains were added to further expand service to New London and
southeast Connecticut.
New
train services to Yankee Stadium and to the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey
were implemented and have generated additional New Haven Line ridership and
revenues.
The
Office of Rail directed stimulus funds made available through the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to a rail signalization project on the
Danbury Branch, rail station improvements on the New Haven Line and the
construction of a major rail car facility in New Haven to inspect and maintain
the new M8 rail cars.
Bus ridership was down by
about 2 percent over the course of the 2010 fiscal year, but has now stabilized
and is increasing slightly as the economy has stabilized or begun a slow
recovery. No significant service
additions or reductions were implemented daring the
past year.
The Transit Office
facilitated the development of a package of capital improvements in response to
the funding made available through the ARRA economic stimulus program. Over $75 million of new bus capital funding
was made available to the state and its transit systems. A procurement of 136 buses was competed using
ARRA funds as well as several smaller projects including park and ride lot
improvements and three fixed asset projects at local transit districts. The Office also updated the statewide
specialized transportation services plan to meet SAFETEA-LU planning
requirements.
Over
the past year substantial progress has been made in advancing the Bureau’s
long-term capital agenda. Major
activities and achievements during the year include:
1. Continued construction of catenary
(electric overhead wire) replacement and bridge rehabilitation from New Haven
to the New York State line on the New Haven Main Line.
2. Initiated the design and construction phase
for priority improvements at New Haven Line train stations (ARRA construction
project).
3. Continued inspections and condition studies
for New Haven Line rail bridges.
4. Continued the track maintenance program,
bridge timber replacement program and railroad bridge maintenance program.
5. Continued the rehabilitation of the State’s
M2 electric multiple unit (EMU) rail cars to ensure reliable New Haven Line
service. Reviewed long-term rolling
stock train equipment requirements for New Haven Line service.
6. Completed the reconditioning of 33 rail cars
purchased from the state of Virginia in order to provide additional seating
capacity on the New Haven Line and Shore Line East.
7. Received delivery of “pilot” M8 EMU cars for
extensive testing before deployment of M8s into passenger revenue service in
late 2010.
8. New signal system construction continues from
the state line to Greenwich. Funding
needed to continue design and construction of this signal system upgrade from
Greenwich to New Haven.
9. Worked with Metro-North Railroad to develop
Implementation Plan for federally-mandated Positive Train Control (PTC) on New
Haven Line.
10.
Began
construction of the Component Changeout Shop in the
New Haven Rail Yard
(NHRY) Master Complex. Continued the
construction of the new locomotive Fueling Facility. Continuing the design phases for NHRY
program.
11.
Continued construction of the access roadway bridge, station boarding platforms and pedestrian
overpass for the new Fairfield Metro Station.
The program will include parking for 1,500 cars. Settlement with developer and Town of
Fairfield on completion of drainage and parking projects at station.
12.
Advanced the design phase for additional
rail parking facilities in Stratford and Stamford. Began design for additional parking at Union
Station in New Haven.
13.
Continued the design and property
acquisition phases for a new station in West Haven, which will include 700
surface parking spaces.
14.
Continued the Environmental Assessment
for a new station in Orange, which is expected to include 1,000 parking spaces.
15.
Continued design for the rehabilitation of the Walk (over the Norwalk River)
and Saga (over the Saugatuck River) movable bridges on the New Haven Line.
16.
Continued the structural feasibility
study for the rehabilitation of the Devon (over the Housatonic River) and Cos
Cob (over the Mianus River) movable bridges on the
New Haven Line.
17.
Began procurement of material and
equipment for construction phase of Danbury Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)
signal project.
18.
Began development of New
Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) High Speed Rail (HSR) and Corridor
improvement plan. Received FRA HSR grant
to double track 10-mile segment on NHHS.
Bond Commission approved $26m to match FRA grant and to develop
long-term NHHS plan.
19.
Continued work on federally-required
State Rail Plan. Met with major
stakeholders for input and comments.
20.
Continued
design for the expansion of the Shore Line East stations including north side
platforms, pedestrian overpasses and parking expansion at Branford, Guilford,
Clinton, Madison and Westbrook.
21.
Completed
a procurement effort to purchase up to 136 replacement buses and vans for
transit operators statewide in fiscal 2010 and hundreds of additional vehicles
over the final four option years of the procurement. Awards were made in October 2009 and
deliveries of the first year’s purchase will be completed by February 2011.
22.
Completed
construction of a new 250,000 square foot bus maintenance and storage facility
in Hamden for the CTTransit New Haven Division in
September 2010.
23.
Continued
final design and rights-of-way activities for the New Britain-Hartford Bus
Rapid Transit project. In December 2009,
initial submittals were made requesting a Full Funding Grant Agreement from the
Federal Transit Administration.
24.
Continued
planning activities for new bus storage and maintenance facilities in Watertown
for the CTTransit Waterbury division and smaller
facilities for the Northwest Connecticut Transit District and the Windham
Transit District.
|
OFFICE OF
HIGHWAY OPERATIONS |
||||||
|
2009-2010 |
||||||
|
District 1 |
District 2 |
District 3 |
District 4 |
State Total |
||
|
Surface
Treatment - VIP |
74 |
51.17 |
93.80 |
57.19 |
276.16 |
Miles |
|
Surface
Treatment - Thin Surface (Treatment By State Forces) |
0 |
1.67 |
9.00 |
4.25 |
14.92 |
Miles |
|
Surface
Treatment - Liquid Treatment |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
Miles |
|
Drainage
Pipe Installed |
2200 |
5,485 |
1,840 |
1,500 |
11,025.00 |
Lineal
Feet |
|
Drainage
Structures Completed |
410 |
11 |
12 |
18 |
451.00 |
Number |
|
State
Agencies Served |
7 |
34 |
5 |
10 |
56.00 |
Number |
|
Training
Courses (Separate Sessions) |
169 |
204 |
237 |
195 |
805.00 |
Number |
|
Training
Subjects Covered |
41 |
53 |
41 |
61 |
196.00 |
Number |
|
New
Signs Erected |
1721 |
237 |
86 |
492 |
2,536.00 |
Number |
|
Existing
Signs Replaced |
3836 |
1,093 |
346 |
1,327 |
6,602.00 |
Number |
|
Centerline
and Laneline Marking |
1927 |
1,157 |
365 |
1,634 |
5,083.00 |
2-Lane
Mile |
|
Traffic
Control Signals (Maintenance) |
5082 |
587 |
1,106 |
654 |
7,429.00 |
Number |
|
New
Traffic Control Signal Installation |
0 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
8.00 |
Number |
|
New
Traffic Control Signal Revisions |
11 |
14 |
77 |
19 |
121.00 |
Number |
|
Highway
Illumination |
122 |
240 |
400 |
185 |
947.00 |
Miles |
|
Encroachment
Permits Issued |
924 |
739 |
1,027 |
863 |
3,553.00 |
Number |
|
Encroachment
Permit Investigations |
2,947 |
1,801 |
4,950 |
820 |
10,518.00 |
Number |
|
Drainage
Investigations |
1,600 |
1,240 |
620 |
475 |
3,935.00 |
Number |
|
Traffic
Investigations |
1,600 |
745 |
350 |
1,387 |
4,082.00 |
Number |
|
Claims
Investigations |
309 |
79 |
268 |
119 |
775.00 |
Number |
|
Landscape
Investigations |
575 |
754 |
1,753 |
960 |
4,042.00 |
|
|
CBYD Request |
8,086 |
8691 |
720 |
4445 |
21942 |
|
|
Signal
Complaints |
1,520 |
2236 |
1200 |
3120 |
8076 |
|
|
Signal Loop
Detection Replaced |
83 |
30 |
0 |
23 |
136 |
|