Senator William H. Nickerson (R-Greenwich) announced his support for Governor Rowland's appointment of Stephen Korta as the new Commissioner of the Department of Transportation (DOT). He replaces Commissioner James Byrnes who is retiring April 1.

Nickerson said, "I have discussed transportation policy at some length with Mr. Korta and I am convinced that he shares my view that the Department of Transportation needs a fresh new outlook. For too long the Department has narrowly focused on road building and bridge repair. While these are important functions the Department must enlarge its mission to create a balanced transportation plan including the integration of road, rail, air and barge systems. He also understands the need for top priority attention to rebuilding Metro North railroad to address the unsustainable traffic glut on I-95 and the Merritt Parkway.

I am encouraged by the fact that his appointment comes as the Office of Policy and Management will in the next few days be announcing its plan to replace the entire 320 car aging Metro North fleet over the next five years.

Mr. Korta has the management skills, determination and vision to remake the DOT into the energetic, flexible and balanced agency that it must be and I look forward to working with him."