Announcements:

2004 State of Connecticut Long Range Transportation Plan is Available Online

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has issued the Long Range Transportation Plan for the State of Connecticut 2004-2030. This federally-mandated long range plan identifies transportation strategies needed to efficiently serve the mobility needs of people and freight. The plan serves as the framework for preparing future project-specific transportation plans, such as the 2005 Master Transportation Plan. The document may be viewed online at: http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=1383&q=259760&dotPNavCtr=|#40773.

Danbury Branch Line Electrification Feasibility Study

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has initiated a study of the Danbury Branch Line to evaluate the feasibility of electrification of the line, along with a range of infrastructure and service improvements. Study goals and objectives are to increase the utility of the Danbury Branch Line through reduced travel time and more frequent service, and to reduce congestion in the Route 7 corridor. The feasibility of passenger service between Danbury and New Milford will also be examined.

More information on the Danbury Branch Electrification Feasibility Study and public involvement opportunities is found at http://www.danburybranchstudy.com.

Request for Letters of Interest - Public Representative CCTIA

The South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) will accept Letters of Interest from persons interested in serving as the South Western Region’s volunteer public representative (or alternate representative) in the Coastal Corridor Transportation Investment Area (TIA). Letters of Interest shall be accepted through March 30, 2007. The term shall run from the date of appointment through June 30, 2009. Public representatives may serve up to three consecutive two-year terms.

The Coastal Corridor TIA was created in 2001 by the General Assembly to support the work of the state Transportation Strategy Board (TSB). The Coastal Corridor TIA Board is composed of persons interested in transportation, land use, economic development, environmental and related issues and is charged with developing biennial strategic transportation plans to advise the TSB of regional transportation needs. The Coastal Corridor TIA has 17 members and includes representatives from southwestern Connecticut’s six regional planning organizations.

The public representative appointed by SWRPA shall advocate for the transportation needs of the South Western Region. At a minimum, the public representative shall regularly attend and participate in Coastal Corridor TIA meetings; participate on relevant Coastal Corridor TIA committees; regularly consult with SWRPA’s chairperson, executive director or other staff regarding the South Western Region’s policy positions, goals and objectives as they relate to Coastal Corridor TIA activities; attend SWRPA and South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (SWRMPO) meetings at the request of the respective chairpersons to discuss Coastal Corridor TIA activities; and submit written meeting summaries to SWRPA’s executive director, as requested, for distribution to SWRPA and SWRMPO board members.

Persons who live in one of the following cities or towns are invited to seek appointment to the Coastal Corridor TIA Board as the South Western Region’s public representative: Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton. Interested persons should submit a one-page letter summarizing their relevant interests and experience to:

Floyd Lapp, FAICP, Executive Director South Western Regional Planning Agency 888 Washington Boulevard, 3rd Floor Stamford, Connecticut 06901 E-mail: Lapp@swrpa.org Fax: (203) 316-4995 Telephone: (203) 316-5190

Additional information about the Coastal Corridor TIA and the role of the South Western Region’s public representatives may be obtained via the Internet at www.swrpa.org or by contacting Dr. Lapp.

Contact webmaster@swrpa.org with comments or questions about this site.