[ace105]

Connecticut State Officials really want to expand-get more people. But really, does Connecticut really want more people? IMO, it dosent have the Infastructure to expand. Traffic is already a mess. Crime is at record highs. What do you think? Is it ready for another 50k people? I mean, CT is spending 450 million to rebuild a highway that rarely has any traffic, only at rush hour in Waterbury. If I was governor, I would spend that money on upgrading the New Haven Line, Danbury, and Watetbury branch. Mass-transit is really the only option for CT. Example 2, they are spending another couple hundred million to extend exit ramps by 500 feet, is that really going to make a difference? Is it? Example 3, the Q-Bridge is acually needed because that is sure one confusing stretch. Also, CT has a problem attracting jobs and tourists. The Coliseum will help, New Haven will help, but Malloy needs to find a way to get more jobs founded. And finally, we need more police offices around major cities, especially Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, and Waterbury. Bottom line, the only way CT will revive is by more mass-transit.

[NewJeffCT]

umm, since when are crime rates at record highs? Crime has been on the decline since peaking around 30 years ago.

and, where is the money going to come from to upgrade the rail lines? Congress at the national level hasn't been inclined to help for a long time now.

[Lincolnian]

There is plenty of room for expansion. The quiet corner and northwest Connecticut are two areas that could handle expansion and have many areas that would work well with thoughtful and strategic planning. Existing cities like Torrington, Waterbury, Norwich, and 1st-Tier suburbs such as East Hartford once had larger populations and have many sites ripe for revitalization and/or repurposing.

The suggestion to bury 84 through Hartford akin to Boston's Big Dig could have similar positive effects on the Hartford area. Plans are already underway to upgrade Amtrak's service from New Haven to Springfield and beyond as well as improve Metro North and Shoreline East lines.

There are a hosted of opportunities on the shoreline especially in Bridgeport which is a diamond in the rough and just waiting for the right conditions to emerge to greatness.

For all the youth looking for possibilities, Bridgeport can be your clean slate. Take action and be the change.

This thread is a good topic, Connecticut's future is what we make it.
😄

[nep321]

I think employers in FFC should have stratified times in which people arrive to work. Some people should be required to arrive at 7:00 AM, some at 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00. That way, only 20% of all commuters are actually commuting at any given moment. If you are caught on the road commuting to work at a time you weren't assigned to, you are subject to a fine of $750.

[pulpfiction]

Yeah, good luck with that. Am I allowed to drive to the grocery store at 7am on a Monday if my 'assigned commuting time' is 8:30, even if I'm in work attire? How exactly would this be enforced? C'mon.

Originally Posted by nep321

I think employers in FFC should have stratified times in which people arrive to work. Some people should be required to arrive at 7:00 AM, some at 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00. That way, only 20% of all commuters are actually commuting at any given moment. If you are caught on the road commuting to work at a time you weren't assigned to, you are subject to a fine of $750.

[Stylo]

Crime is lower than ever. I think the Stamford area is fairly saturated, but other areas in CT are poised for growth. New Haven can grow a lot.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by ace105

Connecticut State Officials really want to expand-get more people. But really, does Connecticut really want more people? IMO, it dosent have the Infastructure to expand. Traffic is already a mess. Crime is at record highs. What do you think? Is it ready for another 50k people? I mean, CT is spending 450 million to rebuild a highway that rarely has any traffic, only at rush hour in Waterbury. If I was governor, I would spend that money on upgrading the New Haven Line, Danbury, and Watetbury branch. Mass-transit is really the only option for CT. Example 2, they are spending another couple hundred million to extend exit ramps by 500 feet, is that really going to make a difference? Is it? Example 3, the Q-Bridge is acually needed because that is sure one confusing stretch. Also, CT has a problem attracting jobs and tourists. The Coliseum will help, New Haven will help, but Malloy needs to find a way to get more jobs founded. And finally, we need more police offices around major cities, especially Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, and Waterbury. Bottom line, the only way CT will revive is by more mass-transit.

First of all crime in Connecticut is not at a record high. It is actually lower than in the past. Second, funding for highway projects comes from different sources than transit funding. Federal money for highways comes from the Federal Highway Administration while money for trains comes from the Federal Transit Administration so you cannot just transfer money from the I-84 Waterbury project to the New Haven line. Also I doubt that the thousands of people who use I-84 in Waterbury would agree with you that it "rarely has any traffic".

What project are you talking about that is costing a couple of hundred million to extend ramps by 500 feet? I do not know of such a project.

To answer your overall question, I think in many ways most of the people in Connecticut agree with you. They do not want a lot of growth. Most towns have strict zoning laws that restrict new development and sprawl. Most just want to keep the character of the towns they live in and do not like change. It is hard to balance growth with controlled development but I think in general we do a decent job. JMHO, JaY

[NewJeffCT]

Good post JayCT.

My guess is that the OP is talking about the new Busway from New Britain to Hartford where they are rebuilding/extending exit ramps?

I do agree that we really need to upgrade the rail lines we have on the shoreline, but the problem is getting funding to do what is needed.

[Mr_250]

Originally Posted by Lincolnian

The suggestion to bury 84 through Hartford akin to Boston's Big Dig could have similar positive effects on the Hartford area.

The option to bury 84 is off the table. It will either be at grade or elevated (see current 84). Either way it should make some type of positive impact. Also, working for a company that worked on the Big Dig, believe me you do NOT want that. In the long run, a "simple" at grade 84 would be more cost effective and more streamlined.

I hope they do NOT expand into the corners of CT. I do not live there (but I would like too), but I like the fact that when I go there it feels like another world. No chains, not a lot slash if any congestion and just an overall sense of relief from the rest of this State. Please do not take that away.

The 84 project will not see a shovel in the next 8-10 years (study, environmental, engineer, funding, bid, and build). Heck, they will not have a recommendation on what TO BUILD until 2017. I'm hoping to retire on this project. Build baby build!!

[papafox]

Originally Posted by nep321

I think employers in FFC should have stratified times in which people arrive to work. Some people should be required to arrive at 7:00 AM, some at 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00. That way, only 20% of all commuters are actually commuting at any given moment. If you are caught on the road commuting to work at a time you weren't assigned to, you are subject to a fine of $750.

That is a GREAT idea. Additionally, the state should give them incentives to allow certain employees to work from home as well (not right away, but lets say after 2 years or more with the company so they'll have proven themselves by then).

So glad I do not live in FFC as the traffic in the Hartford area is bad enough for me, not to mention the outrageous COL.