To The Editor:
My responsibilities in the State Senate during the
last days of the legislative session prevented me from
attending an important June 1st Wilton Planning &
Zoning meeting where there was an active discussion
of the value of bicycle and pedestrian access for our
residents. As an ardent supporter of this issue, I was
pleased to learn of the many people who did attend the
meeting and expressed their support for better bicycle
and pedestrian options for our community. The value
of these options for our residents is all the more apparent
as the Route 7 widening project is drawing to a close.
Sidewalks, new trees, and foliage are appearing on both
sides of our major thoroughfare. With amenities like
these, we promote a healthier environment, a healthier
lifestyle, and an improved quality of life.
This is why I am pleased to report that the General
Assembly has just passed legislation to ensure that
funds will be made available for bikeways and sidewalks.
I am a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 735, An Act Improving
Bicycle And Pedestrian Access which, as of October
1, 2010, will require that at least one percent of the
funds received by the state Department of Transportation
(DOT) and municipalities for construction, restoration,
rehabilitation, or relocation of highways or streets
be spent to make sure that everyone benefits, including
walkers and bikers. The bill also requires the DOT and
every municipality to take “future transit expansion
plans” into account where appropriate.
There are a number of exceptions regarding the mandatory
expenditures. For example, the bill does not require
them in the event of a state or municipal transportation
emergency, or if the DOT commissioner or a municipality's
legislative body determines that non-motorized use of
a highway, road, or street is prohibited. Nor does it
require them if there is no need, if the accommodation
of all users would represent an excessively large portion
of the total project cost, or if the accommodation of
all users is inconsistent with the state's or municipality's
construction, maintenance, and repair program. The bill
has been sent to Governor M. Jodi Rell for her signature.
Anyone who has any questions about this legislation
should contact me at my legislative office at 1-800-842-1421
or by e-mail at Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov.
Sincerely,
State Senator Toni Boucher, R-26
5 Wicks End Lane, Wilton, CT 06897
Home Phone: 203-762-3232
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