The Business Council of Fairfield County has joined with a coalition of municipal officials, businesses, environmental organizations, labor unions and citizen-advocates to call on state leaders to provide new, stable and dedicated funding sources or mechanisms that are adequate and reasonable to create a critically needed multi-modal transportation system in Connecticut.

Connecticut needs an adequate transportation system if our state is to succeed economically in the 21^st Century and if we are to preserve Connecticut’s cherished quality-of-life.

The Transportation Strategy Board’s 2003 report sets out a vision of Connecticut “remaining one of the country’s most dynamic and attractive areas characterized by a robust economy; strong linkages to regional and global economies; a pristine set of shoreline and rural areas; stimulating urban centers; valued educational institutions; a hot bed for technology, bioscience and other critical industry clusters; and employment opportunities to enable all of its residents to pursue their dreams.”  The report recognizes that transportation investments should only be done taking into full consideration land use planning and the need to stimulate economic development.

But, unfortunately, the state funding commitment necessary to fulfill that vision has not been made. Connecticut cannot afford to wait any longer for a significant financial investment from the State. The time to invest is now.

We recognize that an investment of this magnitude should not be a blank check. The State needs to establish mechanisms to ensure that it makes cost-effective investment decisions. The state should develop a model to measure the economic impacts of proposed projects, to insure that the investments result in truly beneficial projects. 

We also recognize that there is a high cost to pay for inaction. A recent study by Texas A&M University found that rush-hour delays cost travelers an average of $566 per year in Bridgeport-Stamford, $390 in New Haven and $309 in Hartford. Businesses report that it is sometimes difficult to attract employees to areas where congestion is worst, and industries that rely on timely shipping will think twice about locating in a state where it is difficult to move goods.

This large and diverse coalition stands together to urge the Governor and General Assembly to provide the funding necessary to improve Connecticut’s transportation system to a level that will help, not hurt, our state’s economic vitality and quality of life.