Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

If Groton and New London properly leveraged the surplus of underutilized assets we have as part of a robust transportation network, we would be the envy of communities across the US. New London is home to one of Connecticut's three deep water ports, as well as the busy Amtrak train station located in downtown New London, the future of the National Coast Guard Museum. I pledge to support any and all efforts that will increase connectivity with surrounding communities.

I support many transportation-related initiatives that will boost our local economy:

I fully support a constitutional amendment banning the practice of shifting special transportation fund (STF) revenues to the General Fund
I fully support increasing rail service on the ShorelineEast Commuter Rail Line, establishing a stop at the Mystic Amtrak station, and building new stops in Niantic, Groton, Stonington -- with the potential of expanding service into Rhode Island.
I fully support the proposed Central Corridor Rail line which would increase freight capacity thereby removing trucks from our congested highways, generate greater business opportunities and opening new markets to New London's deep water port.
I fully support establishing a permanent water taxi system linking Groton and New London that gets tourists to and from our various historic landmarks such as Fort Trumbull, local residents an option to recreate in downtown New London or Thames Street (Groton), and most importantly, serve as a viable transportation option for workers that may want to avoid driving and searching for parking, such as Electric Boat employees.
I oppose bonding to pay for operating expenditures and general upkeep of our transportation infrastructure. State Bonds should be utilized for significant capital projects, such as rebuilding bridges, establishing new rail lines, and for higher density communities such as New London, constructing bike-ped infrastructure that meet the criteria for transit oriented development and or but not limited to, establishing infrastructure that supports cultural institutions such as the National Coast Guard Museum.

Connecticut spends about 23% of it's Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) on road and bridge expansion -- a much higher proportion than what neighboring states New York and Massachusetts spend on increasing road capacity. Connecticut taxpayers currently subsidize heavy users' driving habits, as well as out of state drivers, and large trucks that do very significant damage to our highways. As a result, we should replace aging bridges and repave existing highway, rather than to bond for new roadway construction (high-speed routes and interstates) or highway widening projects.

At a minimum, the state should re-establish tolls on state borders, and perhaps explore expanding that to congestion pricing in areas served by extensive transit corridors (areas served on the 1-95/Metro New Haven line corridor). Connecticut residents should Creating such user fees limit suburban sprawl, and are built on sound economics. In all, our state must commit to sufficiently investing in our infrastructure without taking on a significant debt, like it is doing now.

Currently, State-owned local (urban) arterials are devoid of sufficient sidewalks or bicycle-friendly infrastructure, exacerbating the economic decline of our urban centers.

Connecticut must focus on improving rail, bicycle, and and pedestrian infrastructure in order to revitalize our cities.

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