Senator Boucher
Calls For Feasibility Study Of Light Rail Service In Connecticut
Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) is calling
for state government to determine which regions of Connecticut
could benefit from light rail service.
The General Assembly’s Transportation Committee
recently held a public hearing on Senator Boucher’s
proposal, SB 237, An Act Concerning A Feasibility
Study Of Light Rail Service In Connecticut. Senator
Boucher is the leading Republican, or Ranking Member,
of the Transportation Committee. The committee unanimously
approved the bill which is now pending further legislative
action.
“If we are serious about making it easier for people
to move around our state, we need to look beyond highways.
For the first time in a very long time, our state Department
of Transportation is being led by a commissioner who understands
that well-run railroads should be an important part of
our mass transit system. Now is the time for our state
to take a close look at what we can do to ensure that
our mass transit system is efficient, is convenient for
commuters, and promotes the economic growth of our state,”
said Senator Boucher.
Specifically, Senator Boucher’s proposed legislation
calls for the DOT Commissioner to work with the Transportation
Strategy Board to determine which regions of the state
would be well served by light rail service. Findings and
recommendations would be submitted to the legislature’s
Transportation Committee by July 1, 2010.
Senator Boucher noted that DOT Commissioner Joseph Marie
told committee members that other states have successfully
incorporated light rail service as part of their mass
transit systems, and suggested that a feasibility study
could show the Stamford area to be a potentially good
candidate because of its high traffic volume.
“It is encouraging to know that other states have
had success, but we need to know if it can work here –
and, if so, where - before making a huge financial commitment
to building our own light rail system. I find it encouraging
that Commissioner Marie is cautiously optimistic about
the potential for light rail in certain high density areas
of our state. But, we need to do a careful study before
we proceed further,” said Senator Boucher.
Senator Boucher said she understands any reluctance to
take on new expensive projects in this existing, dire,
economic climate. However, she said that Connecticut needs
to begin making plans now so the state is ready to take
advantage of a better economic climate in the future.
