Gov. Dannel Malloy held a news conference Tuesday morning to announce "massive" and "comprehensive" long-term transportation plan coming within the next few weeks.
Malloy stood alongside Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp and other state and local officials in downtown New Haven to address the 30-year plan.
The governor did not mention specifics during the briefing but said the plan includes roads, bridges, buses, rails and alternative transportation, as well as walking and bike trails.
“What we are in the process of doing is trying to judge whether Connecticut wants to be best in class in transportation or not,” Malloy said during the news conference. “In the coming weeks, we will roll out a comprehensive plan that takes us over the next 30 years, from where we are, where transportation is holding our state back, where employers are deciding not to come to portions of our state because of transportation issues… and change it.”
The state plan will comprise a four-to-five year "gear up," and months of discussion, Malloy said.
"We'll see whether the Legislature or the people of Connecticut indicate... they want to stop talking about transportation and actually doing something about it," Malloy said.
Harp also discussed efforts city officials are making to improve transportation in New Haven, where one out of every four families lacks access to a car.
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"What we see on the ground through our city is that sustainable transportation also means being able to walk and bike to work," Harp said. "This is important, not just for residents with access to a car, but also for residents who cannot afford to drive."
She said New Haven is planning to expand on the 40 miles of bike lanes that already exist in the city so residents can better access essential services and workplaces.
"For instance, this year, we'll reach into the neighborhoods again with a 2.1-mile cycle track along Edgewood Avenue," Harp explained.
When the project is done, it will connect Westville, Edgewood and Dwight to the central business district.
"New Haven is the core of a significant, overwhelming almost, amount of investment today, but still needs more in the vision of a sustainable, expanded system of transportation by all modes to and through New Haven as where we're going," Redeker said.
