Summary - Transportation

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03e8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><B>Board of Directors</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meetings"><B>Meetings</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CEDS"><B>CEDS</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scenario Planning"><B>Scenario Planning </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>Task Team</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional Plans"><B>Regional Plans </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><B>Links</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ByLaws"><B>By-Laws</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><B>Contact</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>CEDS Sponsors:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><I><U>Platinum Sponsor</U></I></A></div> <div> <B>Borghesi Building & Engineering</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Silver Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Bicron Electronics</B></div> <div> <B>CEDAS</B></div> <div> <I>(CT Econ. 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Redevelopment of Brownfields</A>   |   <B>Summary - Transportation</B>   |   <A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summary Energy">Summary - Energy</A>   |   <A HREF="id86.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summary Agriculture">Summary - Agriculture</A>   |   <A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summary Culture, Tourism Film">Summary - Culture, Tourism & Film</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Summary - Transportation</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="757" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2079 WIDTH="749"><div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>TASK TEAM</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>Transportation</U></B></FONT> <I>(Draft - July 14, 2008)</I></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>NW CT EDC Goal:</U></B> </div> <div> -  Develop long range strategic plans for a healthy, sustainable economic environment for NW CT.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Task Team Goals:</U></B><U> </U></div> <div> -  Develop a long term (10-20 years) comprehensive plan which benefits the entire region.</div> <div> -  Develop long range strategic plans for a healthy, sustainable economic environment for NW CT.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Guiding Principles:</U></B></div> <div> Transportation networks help to establish development corridors.  Development usually takes place in close vicinity to railroads and highways.</div> <div> The current highway system in NW CT is adequate for north-south travel.  Route 8 and Route 7 provide sufficient access to the region from the south.</div> <div> The east-west traffic patterns are more congested.  Routes 44 and 202 tend to limit traffic flow through town and city centers.</div> <div> There are currently two railroads serving the region - the Housatonic Railroad runs parallel to Route 7 in the western part of Litchfield County and the Railroad Museum of New England <I>(formerly the Naugatuck Railroad)</I> runs parallel to Route 8 in the eastern part of Litchfield County.</div> <div> Bus service is provided throughout the region by the NW CT Transit Authority located in Torrington.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Suggested Overall Strategies</U></B></div> <div> Creating job opportunities within the NW CT region minimizes the commuter time for area residents.  It also reduces traffic on state highways.</div> <div> Bus service is available throughout the region.  It is heavily subsidized by state and federal grants.  The residents and local officials need to continue supporting the efforts of NW CT Transit to provide these services.</div> <div> NW CT Transit provides a variety of services.  Increasing community awareness of these services is a continual challenge.  Local communities could help their residents to become more aware of the available services.</div> <div> Improving bus stops with both signage and protection from the elements would enhance service and increase the number of users.</div> <div> Maintenance of the current road and highway system is a high priority for future vehicular travel.  Consistent state and federal funding to support regional road and highway maintenance is essential.</div> <div> Many of the roads in the region have extremely narrow shoulders.  Bike and scooter travel could be encouraged if wider shoulders were provided with designated travel lanes painted onto the road surface.</div> <div> Bike lanes could also be designated in town and city centers to encourage pedal power and provide safer bike paths.</div> <div> Traffic patterns should continue to be analyzed to improve traffic flow through congested areas particularly in town and city centers.</div> <div> Both the Housatonic and Railroad Museum of New England/Naugatuck railroad systems are in need of upgrading.  Both railroads are used for freight, but not passenger traffic.  </div> <div> Industrial development can be enhanced and expanded with adequate infrastructure.  Railroad beds, ties and tracks need to be upgraded to provide at least 59 mph of service to enhance usage.</div> <div> The population density in parts of NW CT does not currently support commuter passenger travel by rail.  However, recent studies have indicated that there is substantial demand for commuter travel between SW Connecticut and New Milford and between New Milford and New York. As the energy picture changes it may be feasible to initiate limited non commuter rail travel if combined with services to Berkshire County, Massachusetts and promote existing services offered by "tourist" type railroads.</div> <div> Light rail which is much less expensive to operate may provide an option for passenger travel in the future.</div> <div> State government should be encouraged to provide for the easier movement of freight throughout the state and region. Current conditions are not conducive to the movement of goods and raw materials via rail.  Rail could be much more cost effective with improved intrastate policies.</div> <div> Safe pedestrian walkways should be encouraged and maintained in town and city centers.</div> <div> Bike trails should be developed to connect adjoining communities and towns for recreational and transportation purposes.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Components</U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Mass Transit</U></B></div> <div> Bus service is available to connect passengers within the region and to other areas of the state.  NW CT Transit coordinates these services and is receptive to the needs of the riders.</div> <div> Bus service is the most cost effective means for passenger travel.</div> <div> Rail passenger traffic is not economically viable for many sections of NW Connecticut in the foreseeable future, but may well be viable for specific markets such as New Milford or for serving targeted weekend tourist locations.</div> <div> Ride share and commuting programs could be enhanced through public awareness efforts.</div> <div> There is not sufficient population density in NW CT to justify the cost of mass transit via rail, monorail or light rail at this time.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Highway and Road System</U></B></div> <div> The current highway and road system is adequate throughout NW CT.  </div> <div> Improvements should be made in congested areas to allow for better traffic flow.</div> <div> Maintenance of the current road system is the biggest factor affecting vehicular traffic.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Trails/Greenways</U></B></div> <div> An intraregional system of trails and bike paths would complement the quality of life prevalent throughout NW CT.  Safety and well established rules for use are critical to the success of these ventures.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Special thanks to Carol Deane & Tammy Ostrowski (NW CT Transit), Colin Pease (Housatonic Railroad) and Ralph Harris (Railroad Museum of New England) for attending and sharing their expertise!</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Related Articles/Links:</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ct.gov/dot/site/default.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ct.gov/dot/site/default.asp"><B>CT Department of Transportation</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://homepage.mac.com/housatonic/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://homepage.mac.com/housatonic/"><B>Housatonic Railroad</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nwctedc.com/HTMLobj-316/_31_Litchfield_Hills_Regional_Transportation_Plan__Draft_.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nwctedc.com/HTMLobj-316/_31_L"><B>Litchfield Hills Regional Transportation Plan - 2008</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.torringtonct.org/Public_Documents/TorringtonCT_Bus/index" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.torringtonct.org/Public_Docum"><B>NW CT Transit</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.rmne.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rmne.org/"><B>Railroad Museum of New England</B></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Issues identified during Scenario Planning (March 28 & April 28, 2009):</B></I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="530" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ROWS" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="522"><div> Public transportation – regional and statewide.  Future?  Positive, negative or both?</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="522"><div> Transportation infrastructure.  Does it support the current/future needs of Region?</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="522"><div> Longer commuting distances for local residents</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="522"><div> Distance from other areas of the state</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Is a coordinated effort or what type of coordinated effort is best for the region?</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="522"><div> Weather factors</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Is a coordinated effort or what type of coordinated effort is best for the region?</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="522"><div> Limitations and/or aging infrastructure</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="522"><div> Sprawl</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="522"><div> Infrastructure – adequate now? future?</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="522"><div> Coordinated regional effort for economic development, not economic discouragement (Regional Econ. Development Czar)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="522"><div> How do we ensure that we coordinate our efforts to get the area’s fair share of resources</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="522"><div> Availability of land</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Loss of State and Federal representation due to shrinking population</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>TASK TEAM</B></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>