Public Informational Meeting for the Draft Connecticut Statewide Airport System Plan

Commissioner Korta of the Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced the release of the Draft Connecticut Statewide Airport System Plan (CSASP) for public review, and that a Public Informational Meeting is scheduled for this Plan.

New York City Transit (Subway and Bus) System

Attention to all rail, bus, and van pool commuters who connect with the New York City Transit (Subway and Bus) System Please use the following link to follow the status of the strike which began at 3:02 a.m. December 20, 2005 and for details on the New York City traffic plan- http://www.mta.info/mnr/

DOT and Metro-North Announce Distribution of New Haven Line Rail Car Bid Specifications

Governor Rell Hails as “Significant Step Forward” The Connecticut Department of Transportation and MTA Metro-North Railroad today announced that detailed technical specifications have been released to three companies qualified to bid on the manufacture of new rail cars for the New Haven Line.

Drivers on Route 6 (Boston Post Road) will see a new style of red indications at exclusive left-turn lanes.

The new red indications are for left-turning traffic from Route 6 at the intersections with Airport Road/Willi Bowl, Northridge Drive (Wal*Mart) and the new Home Depot drive.

Hybrid Bus Testing

(Hartford, CT)—The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) announced today the results of a demonstration project involving two hybrid diesel-electric buses.

GUILFORD TRAIN STATION OPENS

Governor M. Jodi Rell and Transportation Commissioner Stephen E. Korta II today announced that the Guilford Train Station opened Monday, November 28th to the public. The newly constructed Guilford station is part of an overall $25 million dollar effort by the Connecticut Department of Transportation to improve safety and operations on Shore Line East. New stations in Branford and Clinton opened to commuters this past August.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION APPOINTS NEW RAIL ADMINISTRATOR

Agency Makes Key Hire to Continue Connecticut Rail Progress

TRANSPORTAION COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES VALLEY TRANSIT DISPUTE NEAR RESOLUTION

Transportation Commissioner Stephen E. Korta, II today announced that the issue with the Valley Transit District of Derby involving the District’s over-billing of the DOT will soon be resolved.

Traffic Detour-Amtrak Bridge over Rt. 372 in Berlin

traffic will be detoured on Route 372 in connection with the replacement of the AMTRAK Bridge over Route 372, in Berlin.

I-84 Ramp Closure

upcoming ramp closure on I-84 in Waterbury.

Ridership Increases Continue for the Month of September on Connecticut Trains

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) today released preliminary ridership figures for the month of September on the New Haven and Shore Line East Rail Service. Overall, Connecticut continues to experience a steady increase in ridership for both intra-state and inter-state train service.

Rt. 2 Bridge

Connecticut Department of Transportation officials, with the support of the City of Norwich, will be be delaying the re-opening of the Rte.2 bridge over the Shetucket River.

Connecticticut River flooding

Due to the recent heavy rains and continued flooding of the Connecticut River, the bridge closure dates for the East Haddam Swing Bridge scheduled for October 31, November 2, and November 4, 2005 have been postponed once again. The new bridge closure dates are November 7, 9, and 11, 2005. On these dates, the East Haddam Swing Bridge carrying Route 82 over the Connecticut River will be closed. During this time, all vehicular traffic will be detoured. There will be no bridge openings for marine traffic. Marine traffic that does not require a bridge opening will be allowed to pass through.

STATEMENT BY DOT COMMISSIONER STEPHEN KORTA REGARDING THE “Q” BRIDGE PROJECT

“The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) October 17th letter expressed concern that the “Q” Bridge and I-95 corridor project has expanded from an $850 million project to a $1.4 billion project since it was originally proposed. The scope and cost of the project have increased primarily due to design changes and additions requested by the City of New Haven and the regional council of governments.

Conlin Whitehead Highway closures

Nighttime closures on the Conlin Whitehead Highway in Hartford.

East Haddam Swing Bridge closures

Due to the recent heavy rains and continued flooding of the Connecticut River, the bridge closure dates for the East Haddam Swing Bridge originally scheduled for October 24th, 26th, and 28th, have been postponed. The revised bridge closure dates are October 31th, November 2nd and 4th, 2005. On these dates, the East Haddam Swing Bridge carrying Route 82 over the Connecticut River will be closed.

Governor Rell Announces Free Holiday Train Tickets

To encourage the use of train service during the holiday season while gas prices remain high, Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the states of Connecticut and New York have joined together to issue free tickets to multi-ride ticket purchasers during the holiday season. Promotion Applies to Metro-North and Shore Line East Trains

GOVERNOR RELL VISITS NEW TRAIN STATIONS ON SHORE LINE EAST

Governor M. Jodi Rell today joined with Shore Line East (SLE) commuters to visit the newly constructed Branford train station and the new Guilford station to be opened soon. Governor Rell boarded the 3:28 p.m. train in Branford to see first-hand the improvements to SLE service while visiting with daily commuters, and then departed in Guilford to tour the station currently under construction.

Hartford-Nighttime closure/Whitehead Highway

Hartford, Conn. -- State Transportation Commissioner Stephen E. Korta, II announced today upcoming nighttime closures on the Conlin Whitehead Highway in Hartford.

Reconstruction of Gulf Street Bridge

The Commissioner for the Department of Transportation has announced that the Gulf Street bridge over Gulf Pond in the City of Milford will be closed to through traffic for a period of (7) seven days to allow for reconstruction of the approach roadways.

Detour - Route 372-Berlin

Hartford, Conn. - Connecticut Department of Transportation announced today that traffic will be detoured on Route 372 in connection with the replacement of the AMTRAK Bridge over Route 372, in Berlin.

Sign support-Rt. 9 -Newington

The Department of Transportation announced today that, weather permitting, Mohawk Northeast Inc. of Newington, CT will be installing the foundation for a Tubular Arch Cantilever sign support on Route 9 in Newington, ¾ of a mile south of Exit 30. Work will commence October 19 and conclude October 21, 2005.

GOVERNOR RELL NAMES DOT DEPUTY COMMISSIONER AS HIGHWAY SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE

Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced the appointment of Mr. Charles Urso as the Governor's Highway Safety Representative. As the Highway Safety Representative, Mr. Urso will coordinate the State's highway and transportation safety efforts with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Connecticut Departments of Public Safety, Motor Vehicles, and Public Health and Addition Services.

Public Informational Meeting

State Project No. 300-102 Proposed Rehabilitation of Metro-North Railroad Bridge No. 01302R over State Route 106 (Old Stamford Road)

Milling/Ramp closures I-95 Bridgeport

Milling & Ramp Closures On I-95 At Exit 24 Scheduled On October 5 & 6, 2005 Bridgeport, Connecticut – Connecticut Department of Transportation officials have announced that milling of the asphalt pavement along I-95 northbound and southbound, at Exit 24, is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 5, 2005, weather permitting.

E. Haddam Swing Bridge/Rt. 82

On October 17, 19, and 21, 2005, the East Haddam Swing Bridge carrying Route 82 over the Connecticut River, will be closed. During this time all vehicular traffic will be detoured. There will be no bridge openings for marine traffic. Marine traffic that does not require a bridge opening will be allowed to pass through.

Sikorsky Bridge

Construction activities on the Sikorsky Bridge will require daytime brief traffic stops northbound and southbound on Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) at both ends of the bridge, the following dates and times:

CONNECTICUT DOT TRAFFIC "E-ALERT" SYSTEM WINS NATIONAL WEBSITE AWARD

Connecticut Receives “2005 Innovative Traveler” Award From Federal Highway Administration. The Federal Highway administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, presented Connecticut with its 2005 “Innovative Traveler Information Website Design” award on Monday, September 19, 2005.

New late night train schedule for the New Haven and Branch Lines beginning October 2 to meet the needs of the “night-out” ridership.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation today announced a new late night train schedule for the New Haven and Branch Lines beginning October 2 to meet the needs of the “night-out” ridership. Additional trains have been added to address the expanded late-night inbound and outbound service.

Connecticut Sees Increased Train and Bus Ridership in August

Preliminary ridership figures released today by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) show that ridership increased on Connecticut trains and buses in August 2005. Specifically, New Haven Line train service increased by 3.9 percent and CTTRANSIT bus ridership increased over 7 percent when compared to August 2004.

Pavement Repairs-I-84-Rt.15 East Hartford

NEWINGTON, Conn. - State Transportation Commissioner Stephen E. Korta, II announced today that Pavement Repairs will be performed on I-84 (eastbound) over Route 15 in East Hartford. This project is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 16, 2005.

Nighttime Closures-I-84 Southington

Upcoming nighttime interstate closures on I-84 in Southington.

I-95 Soutbound Wordin Avenue

Bridgeport, Connecticut – Connecticut Department of Transportation officials have announced that the I-95 southbound Exit 26 on-ramp from Wordin Avenue is scheduled to be closed this weekend. The closure will begin at 11:00pm on Friday night, September 9 and continue through early Monday morning, September 12. The ramp is scheduled to reopen at 5:00am.

2005 Fall schedule - CPTC Hearings

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut PublicTransportation Commission (CPTC) today released its schedule of upcoming public hearings to be held throughout the state this fall which will give private citizens and local officials the opportunity to voice their views on public transportation services in Connecticut.

I-84 Chesire-Aug.26

Hartford, Conn. -- State Transportation Commissioner Stephen E. Korta, II announced today upcoming ramp and lane closures on I-84 and Route 70 in Cheshire.

Route 66-Middlefield

Beginning on or about September 1, 2005, Empire Paving will begin work on the reconstruction of Route 66 in Middlefield and Middletown, between Jackson Road and Washington Plaza.