Senator William H. Nickerson (R-Greenwich) joined with his colleagues on the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee in approving a variety of key bills regarding highway safety and transit improvements.

· Open Containers - The Committee approved a bill making it a violation for a driver to have an open alcoholic beverage container while operating a vehicle. The bill was proposed by Senator Nickerson and brings Connecticut into conformity with federal law which provides that unless a state has such an open container prohibition federal highway funds will be diverted to much less valuable educational programs. So far $27 million has been diverted. Nickerson said, “Thirty-six states have an open container bill and it is long past due that Connecticut adopt this common sense measure.” The bill is supported by the Connecticut Policy Chiefs Association, the Chief State’s Attorney and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Last year the bill passed in the Senate but was rejected in the House. [Senate Bill 273]

· Sound Barriers - A landmark bill reopening the highway sound barrier program was adopted. Governor Weicker terminated the highway sound barrier program in the early 1990’s and despite the tremendous increase in highway noise concerns no barriers have been built in the last 15 years, other than a small number in remote areas which qualify for federal aid. The new bill requires that the Department of Transportation to provide a priority ranking list of sound barrier needs, based on the proposed projects’ proximity to residential areas and the results of scientific decibel tests. The bill authorizes $10 million in bonding to reinitiate the program which will be divided among the state’s Congressional districts. Nickerson said, “I am delighted that the state is re-starting this long dormant program. The highway noise problem gets worse every year and at last the legislature is addressing this.”
[House Bill 7336, Section 18]

· Rail Freight - Opportunities for utilization of rail freight in Connecticut have long been neglected. The Committee directed the Department of Transportation to do a comprehensive analysis of enhancing rail freight service and to evaluate market opportunities, the impact on truck traffic and the impact on current rail commuter service. Nickerson said, “Only a tiny percentage of freight is moving through Connecticut by rail and expansion of rail freight opportunities is long over due. We must move forward aggressively to diversify freight movement to include rail.” [Senate Bill 1401, Section 1(20)]

· Stamford Parking - As earlier proposed by Governor Rell, the Committee approved $35 million in bonding for rebuilding the parking garage at Stamford railroad station. Nickerson said, “The existing garage was poorly designed, poorly maintained and needs to be replaced. However, replacement should take into account the need to provide interim alternative parking while the facility is being demolished and rebuilt. Maintenance of rail parking is crucial to expanding transit opportunities.” [Senate Bill 1401, Section 4]

· Station Improvement - The Committee allocated $5 million for improvements in railroad stations along the New Haven Line and Shore Line East. Nickerson said, “Commuters have, quite properly, complained about the conditions of some railroad stations. It is important that stations be maintained at acceptable standards in order to provide a comfortable and appropriate rail transportation experience.” [Senate Bill 1401, Section 4]

· User Fees - The Committee appropriated $4.5 million for the Department of Transportation to do a feasibility study of implementing congestion based pricing systems for federally funded highways. The release of cash funds is conditioned on the outcome of the Department’s application to the Federal Department of Transportation to provide a grant for the study. Nickerson said, “The picture on highway pricing has changed significantly in recent years. Previously the federal government prohibited states placing a toll on interstate highways, whereas now they are readily allowing this to occur. Secondly the current E-ZPass technology, which requires a gate and a traffic light, is being replaced by high tech “drive through without stopping” tolls which simply consist of an overhead electronic beam. These have proven effective in Australia, Canada and New Jersey. This is not in any way a commitment to build tolls, but simply a study to get the facts.” [Senate Bill 1353, Section 2]

Nickerson said, “The Transportation Committee has embarked on recasting the entire transportation system in Connecticut towards being transit oriented and user friendly rather than standing by, as in the past, while the DOT does things in the old way. I am very pleased to join with my committee colleagues in providing leadership in new and imaginative ways.”