Senator William H. Nickerson (R-Greenwich) today called for a major expansion of the Transportation Committee’s role in oversight of the Department of Transportation’s policies.  In particular the mega transportation bills enacted in 2005 and 2006 mean that 2007 should be a year for the Transportation Committee to provide its significant oversight of the DOT’s implementation of this legislation. See letter to Commissioner Carpenter letter below.

January 5, 2007

Commissioner Ralph Carpenter
Department of Transportation
2800 Berlin Turnpike Box 317546
Newington, CT   06131-7546 

Dear Commissioner Carpenter:

            As you know the Transportation Committee has scheduled a DOT oversight hearing at 10:00 AM on Monday January 22.  This provides the opportunity for the DOT to present information regarding the many questions arising under the DOT’s implementation of PA 05-04 (June Special Session) and PA 06-136.  Specifically I am requesting that at the hearing you provide information on the following questions regarding Metro North Railroad:

1. New M8 Rail Cars – What is the status of the construction and delivery timetable?  Exactly how many cards are involved in the project?  When will they be on line?
2. Refurbishing Cars – What is the DOT’s present intention regarding refurbishing existing older cars, known as the Critical Systems Replacement Program? 
3. Station Governance – What is the Department’s intention with regard to implementing the various governance options which are set forth in the Rail Station Governance Study prepared for the DOT by Urbitran Associates in May 2005?
4. Tolls - What is the status of the Department’s application to the federal government to fund a study of tolls?
5. New Railroad Stations – What is the status of projects for a new station in the East Haven area and the possible new station in Stamford on the New Canaan branch line?
6. New Haven to Springfield – What is the status of planning the financing, building and operating of the New Haven to Springfield commuter line mandated by Public Act 06-136.  Will this be part of Metro North?
7. MTA – What is the status of the DOT’s current relationship with the MTA?  What is DOT doing to obtain a greater voice in the operation of Metro North?
8. Stamford Garage – What is the status of planning for the rebuilding of the parking garage at Stamford Station?  What alternate planning arrangements will be in place to provide substitute parking during the reconstruction of the garage?
9. New Haven Repair Facility – What is the schedule for completing the new New Haven repair facility and when will it be fully built out and on line?
10. Related Agencies – What is DOT’s view as to the role of the Transportation Strategy Board, the Southwest Regional Planning Association (SWRPA) and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in formulating DOT policy on these issues?

            Many thanks for your cooperation.

                                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                                        William H. Nickerson

cc:        Senator Donald J. DeFronzo, Co-Chairman Transportation Committee
            Representative Antonio Guerrera, Co-Chairman
            Senator John McKinney, Ranking Member
            Representative David A. Scribner, Ranking Member