CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE: October 3, 2007	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS    TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062    Fax: (860) 594-3066    Web site:www.ct.gov/dot

The Department of Transportation Announces the Listening Session Schedule for Updating the State’s Long-Range Transportation Plan

Over the coming months, the Connecticut Department of Transportation will be updating the State's current Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRP). The LRP is a policy and information document that discusses Connecticut’s transportation system and its future.  “Our current document has provided a clear outlook for the Department and our transportation system, as a whole, since 2004, but this is an excellent opportunity to revisit our plan and adjust to the State’s ever-changing needs,” Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter said.  The 2008 LRP will cover the period 2008 through 2035.

The Department will be hosting listening sessions at various locations in the State and is inviting all interested parties, including Connecticut’s residents, local and regional businesses, visitors and commuters, to attend a session convenient for them and submit their ideas.  “I am hopeful that there will be a solid turnout from people across the State at the upcoming listening sessions, which will be a key resource in the development of the plan,” Commissioner Carpenter stated.  During each listening session, a brief presentation will be given before opening the floor for public comment.  The presentation will provide an overview of the process for developing the LRP, needs and issues identified thus far, major actions being undertaken by the Department, and factors that may influence the development of the LRP. Following the listening sessions and associated comment period, the Department will publish for public review, a draft document, which is anticipated to be available in the spring of 2008.

Written comments, received prior to December 31, 2007, will be reviewed as part of the process for preparing a draft document.  Please include the following with your comments: name, address, and, if applicable, the company or organization that you represent. Comments may be mailed to the attention of Ms. Roxane Fromson, Transportation Supervising Planner, Bureau of Policy and Planning, Connecticut Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, Connecticut 06131-7546. Comments may also be submitted electronically to Roxane.Fromson@po.state.ct.us.  

Additional information on the LRP and the proposed listening sessions is available at https://www.ct.gov/dot. Included on the Department’s web site are the listening session schedule, an informational brochure on the process, and a downloadable version of the current document, the Long-Range Transportation Plan for the State of Connecticut (2004-2030). 

To best meet the needs of our citizens, we have scheduled seven listening sessions, each at handicapped-accessible facilities.  Deaf and hearing impaired persons wishing to attend a listening session and requiring an interpreter may make arrangements by contacting the Department’s Office of Communications at (860) 594-3061 (voice only) at least five working days prior to the date of the session. 

The dates and locations for the seven LRP Listening Sessions are as follows:

Session I: Rural Eastern Connecticut

Willimantic, CT – Eastern Connecticut State University

Johnson Room, Library

83 Windham Street, on-site parking

Monday, November 5, 2007 from 5:30PM – 8:00PM

Session II: Rural Western Connecticut

Torrington, CT – Sullivan Senior Center, Main Room

88 East Albert Street, on-site parking

Thursday, November 8, 2007 from 7:00PM – 9:00PM

Session III: New Haven Area

New Haven, CT – Gateway Community College

Long Wharf Campus Conference Room

60 Sargent Drive, on-site parking

Thursday, November 15, 2007 from 7:00PM – 9:00PM

Session IV: Southeastern Connecticut

Norwich, CT – Uncas on Thames Campus

Southeastern Mental Health Authority

Community Conference Room

401 West Thames Street (Route 32), on-site parking

Wednesday, November 28, 2007 from 7:00PM – 9:00PM

Session V: Greater Hartford Area

Newington, CT – Newington Senior and Disabled Center

Auditorium

120 Cedar Street (Route 175), on-site parking

Thursday, November 29, 2007 from 5:30PM – 8:30PM

Session VI: Housatonic/Central Naugatuck Valley

Southbury, CT – Town Hall

Room 205

501 Main Street South, on-site parking

Monday, December 3, 2007 from 7:00PM – 9:00PM

Session VII: Bridgeport/Stamford Area

Norwalk, CT – City Hall

Community Room

125 East Avenue, on-site parking

Tuesday, December 4, 2007 from 7:30PM – 9:30PM