[bobtn]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Construction only began after Molloy took office and in a down economy, he would have been nuts to turn away hundreds of millions of dollars in construction.

Why would he have been nuts? Are you saying Ct needed to do the busway just to create "make work" jobs even if the R(eturn) O(n) I(nvestment) stunk to high heaven?

That would truly represent to most people exactly what is wrong with government.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by bobtn

Why would he have been nuts? Are you saying Ct needed to do the busway just to create "make work" jobs even if the R(eturn) O(n) I(nvestment) stunk to high heaven?

That would truly represent to most people exactly what is wrong with government.

I'm afraid that's how I perceived the busway as well. "Use it or lose it" in terms of the federal $, ROI be damned. I personally think it should have gone toward a Hartford/Waterbury train line which would then connect to Metro North. The future lies in high speed trains, not high speed buses.

[Mr_250]

Jay,
I understand where you are coming from. It was a 'use it or lose it situation'. For a fact, the money from Florida came specific for the busway (CT portion is $115M and Federal is$ 400M or so). I think they should have done from Waterbury to Hartford or East of the River to Hartford which would have made more sense. The Flatbush Intersection work only cost about $25M (I am familiar with the construction industry in CT) which would be a perfect project. The ROI is going to be terrible. But it's here and nothing can stop it now. To para-phrase Malloy " If the busway doesn't work, it'll be another way in and out of Hartford."

Back on topic...we have two governors now trying to take jobs..CT should be up in arms about this. Who has these guys back?

[CTbrooktrout]

Looks like the busway will also be an alternative route or the detour for when they start replacing the elevated portion of I-84 in Hartford.

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

I'm afraid that's how I perceived the busway as well. "Use it or lose it" in terms of the federal $, ROI be damned. I personally think it should have gone toward a Hartford/Waterbury train line which would then connect to Metro North. The future lies in high speed trains, not high speed buses.

Agreed. This would have gotten far more usage and, therefore, been more economically sustainable. Apparently we're supposed to be included as a stop on the Springfield-New Haven rail but Ihaven't really heard this as a definite, which is a shame.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

Agreed. This would have gotten far more usage and, therefore, been more economically sustainable. Apparently we're supposed to be included as a stop on the Springfield-New Haven rail but Ihaven't really heard this as a definite, which is a shame.

Apparently high-speed rail projects in other parts of the US are not faring much better. There was a piece on CNN last night about $12B having been spent to date on a SFO - LAX high speed train, with groundbreaking yet to take place and the project being downscoped in terms of the 200-mph sections.

It's incredible to see what they have managed to do in this area in Europe & Japan & now even China.

[delongchampsnoir]

Californians & Midwesterners are flocking to Texas and seem to love it.

[CTbrooktrout]

Personally I like being near the action of the NE corridor, and especially being close to NYC. The only other places that I could see being in are Denver as there's some family there and it's really lovely geography out there. Less humidity, but cold and hot swings are similar to CT. Good economy out there as well but more aimed at the tech sector. My 2nd place would be southern Florida. More so in the northern Miamia and Ft. Lauderdale suburbs. The year round warm weather is the biggest draw although I know summer can be a killer. Not bad of a financial services sector there.

Texas is nice to visit but just don't see it being "home."

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by bobtn

Why would he have been nuts? Are you saying Ct needed to do the busway just to create "make work" jobs even if the R(eturn) O(n) I(nvestment) stunk to high heaven?

That would truly represent to most people exactly what is wrong with government.

You are now twisting what I said. You have a long planned and APPROVED project that has Federal funding and is ready to go to construction and you expect him to turn down the project? It would have been political suicide. BUT that is not why the project should go forward. The project went through a very public review process and was not stopped. Hartford has a need mass transit and this is it. Again he would have been nuts to turn it down. Jay

[bobtn]

Originally Posted by JayCT

You are now twisting what I said. You have a long planned and APPROVED project that has Federal funding and is ready to go to construction and you expect him to turn down the project?

A leader would turn down a project without a good ROI. Malloy didn't; therefore DM is not a leader. Why would you not expect your governor to lead?

CC didn't exactly assist his 2016 Presidential aspirations by being friendly with Obama post Sandy, but his state needed aid fast, Obama acted fast, and CC threw politics out the window by leading.

Danny followed-he didn't lead. Expect more.