Rep. David Scribner on Transportation Deficiences: Safety First

With nearly 400,000 residents relying on the Norwalk-Danbury rail line to take them between their jobs and their families, I would like to address it’s recent shortcomings.

Despite a 94% on-time performance rate, Metro-North is still crippling under technical difficulties.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently advertised plans to improve Metro-North, but considering it took 14 years for upgrades to the signal system and grade crossings to be finalized, it’s not a surprise that just in the past month there have been four engine/equipment failures on diesel locomotives - one of which had been running for 13 years and is now being overhauled.

Connecticut’s economic health is dependent on our public transportation network and state highway system; therefore, the need for more aggressive investment in our transportation infrastructure is at an all-time high, along with commuter frustration in regards to the Danbury line.

According to a recent White House report, 41% of Connecticut’s roads are in poor shape, and 35% of our bridges are structurally deficient. These numbers put Connecticut in place as one of the nation’s worst state transportation infrastructures.

Not only do these inefficiencies result in the inconvenience of longer commute times, but congestion increases the chances of serious accidents. Consequently, the quality of life in Connecticut declines, making the state an undesirable place to live and stunting job and economic growth.

The deplorable condition of our state’s roads, bridges and public transportation systems is especially surprising and frustrating to people, considering that we pay among the highest gasoline taxes in the country. Why should Connecticut commuters pay more, and in return suffer with run-down infrastructure?

Crumbling roads, rails and bridges is not just a matter of budgetary gimmicks; it is a matter of safety. If we continue to play fiscal shell games with transportation funding, I fear we will not only grow the budget deficit with one-shot revenue tricks, but jeopardize public safety.

As Ranking Member of the Transportation and Transportation Bonding Committees, I will continue to be a vocal advocate for government transparency and a proponent of public safety.

For further information, please see the DOT’s website at www.ct.gov/dot or call the DOT’s Office of Communications at 860-594-3062.