Senators Blumenthal and Murphy will hold a press conference Friday at 12:30 at the LOB to discuss Obama's Climate Action Plan. Join Bike Walk Connecticut there.
Creating more safe options for active transportation--biking and walking--is one way to do something about climate change. So let's do that. In 2010, transportation contributed approximately 27 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation is also the largest end-use source of greenhouse gases (including direct emissions and emissions from electricity use), and accounts for 45 percent of the net increase in total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from 1990-2010. (source: EPA) The second debate of the New Haven Mayoral election took place on Tuesday, July 16, and focused on safe streets and neighborhoods.
Candidates discussed topics such as a citywide 20 mile-per-hour speed limit, as well as a citywide bike-share program, fixing broken sidewalks to help seniors walk safely and having more bike lanes. The New Haven Independent has a good rehash of the debate, as well as some video. Click here for more. During a public meeting on July 16, CTfastrak engineers said they plan to build a new overhead passageway for pedestrians and bicycle riders over the busway on Flower Street in Hartford. The plan is to have the passageway done by 2015, when the busway goes into operation.
According to an article in the Hartford Courant, during the meeting, Transportation Commissioner James Redeker said, ""We're not changing a decision that's been made, and we're not changing the busway. We'll try to do the best job we can." Last winter the DOT suggested a 110-foot bridge, connected by two sets of multiple switchback ramps be installed at the location. The cost of the structure would be approximately $4 million. Residents criticized the structure as too expensive and unattractive. During the meeting on July 16, CTfastrak engineers said they are open to other design plans, and they will try to incorporate the ideas they heard during the meeting. Some suggestions heard during the meeting included an elevated sidewalk rising from Capitol Ave that would gradually rise above the crossing. The Courant article notes, the DOT plans to permanently close off pedestrian access at Flower's railroad crossing around October 1, 2013 to clear the area for busway construction. Simultaneously, the agency expects to open a new pedestrian pathway linking Flower Street to Broad Street, which runs parallel about a block to the east. Bike Walk Connecticut Board Member Chris Brown was mentioned in an article posted on the CT News Junkie website. He attended and spoke at the July 16th meeting. Read the full article here. In Hartford - Flower Street Bike/Ped Bridge Meeting at The Lyceum
In New Haven - New Haven Mayoral Debate on Safe Streets and Livable Neighborhoods
Our friends at THULE (whom we'd like an introduction to, by the way) are running a $100 rebate program on box and rack systems. Here's what they say: Thule will provide a $100 rebate check in the mail to those who purchase a qualifying Thule cargo box and rack system between June 1, 2013 and August 31, 2013. Click here to read more about the deal. The CTDOT is keeping the public updated on the Putnam Bridge Multimodal Trail Connections Feasibility Study with a comprehensive web site.
Rehabilitation of the Route 3 Putnam Bridge began earlier this year. When the project is complete, it will provide a new walkway on the northbound side of the bridge to accommodate future bicycle and pedestrian travel directly between Wethersfield and Glastonbury. Because the scope of the rehabilitation project does not provide access to the new walkway from either end of the bridge, additional planning, design, and funding will be required to provide this access at some point in the future. The purpose of the Putnam Bridge Multimodal Trail Connections Feasibility Study is to advance the planning work for bicycle and pedestrian access to the bridge and evaluate how the new walkway can be connected to the network of existing (and planned) sidewalks, bike facilities, and transit services in both towns. Information from the public meetings on the "Study" are available online. Including presentations, exhibits and handouts. Click here to view the web site. South Windsor Walk and Wheel Ways has installed bike racks all over town. They are throughout parks, at the town center, library, a local church, the little league complex, etc. When looking to find out where you can park your bike in town, you can use the Bicycle Rack locator map. The map will show you where you can find bike racks, it shows bicycle facilities, bike lanes and even bike shops in the area. The South Windsor Walk and Wheel Ways is working with town businesses to get more racks installed. The organization has a cost share program for businesses and other groups that would like to install a rack. They will split the cost 50/50 with the business. Check out the Bike Rack locator tool here. The town of Fairfield celebrated its first bike route, from Mill Plain Road and Brookside Drive to Unquowa Road on June 15. According to an article in the Fairfield Sun, the vision for the route began in 2010 when the Fairfield Bike/Walk Coalition petitioned the town to create a bicycle and pedestrian plan, requesting a citizen's survey. The survey received 700 responses, and the town agreed to create the Fairfield Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Andrew Graceffa, chairman of the Fairfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee said the Mill Plain route is just one little piece of the plan. "The plan has multiple aspects. It has education, enforcement, institutional recommendation and infrastructure," Graceffa told the Fairfield Sun. He added, "“We’d like to get funding for doing more bike routes in town, and doing some pedestrian enhancements, especially in the downtown area. Getting some crosswalks worked on. I would like to see a bike route to the beach.” The second official New Haven mayoral debate will take place on Tuesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. at the Metropolitan Business Academy at 175 Water Street in New Haven. The debate will cover questions on safe streets and livable neighborhoods, encompassing in part public safety and the built environment. The New Haven votes coalition is asking residents and stakeholders of New Haven to provide input and questions on these topics for the debate. Suggestions and or questions can be e-mailed to democracyfund@newhavenct.net or call or text your question to 203-787-8590. |
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