By Brandon T. Bisceglia
Gov. Ned Lamont’s plan to improve transportation systems in Connecticut runs through Milford and Orange.
The proposal, dubbed CT2030, lays out a host of specific projects around the state meant to shore up aging infrastructure, eliminate choke points and shorten commute times.
The total cost, estimated at $19.4 billion, would be paid for through a mix of low-interest federal grants, money from the state’s Special Transportation Fund and – most controversially – by tolling trucks at certain locations throughout the state.
Two major projects are slated for Milford. The first would spend between $80 and $100 million to rebuild the exit 38 connector between I-95 and the Merritt Parkway. The connector is a notorious choke point, with numerous curves and several points at which drivers have to merge onto busy roadways over very short distances.
The second Milford project would rebuild exits 39A and 40 at a cost of between $50 million and $70 million.
“This critical section of I-95 is one of the chokepoints on I-95 that has led to headaches and delays for years on I-95,” the project description on the CT2030 website says, adding that the exits would be “upgraded and improved, easing congestion, reducing travel times, boosting productivity allowing drivers to travel to and from work easier.”
Orange also gets some attention in the governor’s proposal. Between $20 and $24 million would be spent to make various improvements to the portion of Rte. 1 that passes through the town, including by building an extra turn lane to reduce crashes and congestion.
Milford and Orange would additionally receive some ancillary benefits from proposals to update rail and bus service.
The New Haven Line of the Metro-North Railroad would receive a suite of new rail cars. Track replacement and straightening would also improve commute times.
The highlight of the bus improvements would be a $100 million upgrade that would create a so-called “Route 1 Corridor High Performance Bus,” which would run through both Orange and Milford.
“This targeted improvement to the Route 1 corridor that connects Stamford, Bridgeport, and New Haven provides better and more reliable bus service to cities that rely on robust bus systems to get people home and to work,” the proposal says. “The combination of technology upgrades with service improvements means the cities and everywhere in between are better connected, providing yet another option to take cars off the road, and move more Connecticut residents around.”
The sticking point with all of these projects has been funding – especially the prospect of tolling. That piece of the plan has evolved over time. Lamont campaigned on a platform of only tolling trucks, but changed his position shortly after being elected, claiming that car tolls would be needed to generate enough revenue.
His administration released an early plan that placed more than 50 toll gantries across the state and was quickly shot down by state legislators. Over the autumn, Lamont was able to identify some low-interest federal loans the state could tap into. He reduced the number of toll gantries to 14, targeted at specific bridge projects.
His fellow Democrats, who control the state legislature, still couldn’t be brought on board, though. So Lamont once again shifted to tolling only trucks.
State Republicans have consistently come out against tolls in any form. And all the fluctuating toll plans have eroded any trust Lamont might have built on the issue.
“Truck only tolling will only be the beginning and I think we all know that eventually this will lead to trucks and cars both having to pay a toll,” said Republican state Rep. Charles Ferraro, whose district includes Milford and Orange. “Connecticut residents and businesses need a break from all the taxes they have to pay, as a state it’s time to start prioritizing how we spend our money.”
“The residents of Milford and Orange want transparency and accountability from its lawmakers, not false hope and broken promises,” said fellow Republican state Rep. Kathy Kennedy, whose district also includes both municipalities.
“Earlier this year, the majority party and the governor diverted $171 million from the Special Transportation Fund lockbox. That doesn’t instill confidence that future toll money would be wisely spent,” she pointed out.
Kennedy agrees that projects like those in CT2030 for Milford and Orange need to be addressed. She is optimistic that the legislature and governor can find common ground on funding and spending priorities, but doesn’t see tolls as a worthwhile endeavor.
“Funding highways and rail can and should be a non-partisan issue, which is why we need a full audit of the Special Transportation Fund and get a real handle on state construction costs before we push forward with plans to toll trucks; the taxpayers and state commuters deserve that accountability. More funding (truck tolling) will not solve the problem if the funds are wrongly or wastefully spent,” she said.
Republicans came out with their own funding strategy that avoids tolls entirely by drawing down $1.5 billion from the state’s rainy day fund. Lamont has expressed skepticism at that tactic, though, for potentially leaving the state bereft should another recession occur.
Meanwhile, many Democrats remain noncommittal about tolls. State Rep. Kim Rose, whose district covers Milford, said it is critical to find stable funding that will generate the necessary resources to pay for transportation maintenance and upgrades – including those proposed for her home city.
“I’m appreciative of the hard work the governor has put in these months as well as that of our caucus and Senate Republicans, and will need to see formal legislative language before offering support for any proposal,” she said.
Lamont and legislative Democrats have agreed to schedule a special session to consider the transportation plans in early January.