DOT chief spins a response

The continued and contentious debate on tolls — to be or not to be — also serves to keep prospective infrastructure projects in the spotlight. My local favorite is the original and decrepit Stamford train station garage, deemed beyond repair by the state in 2006 (yes, 2006).

The Advocate is actively following transportation issues publishing two informative public perspectives (Robert Hale, “State’s car culture is a selffulfilling prophecy,” June 1, and Connor Harris, “Public deserves explanation for outrageous cost estimates,” June 10) and a response under DOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti’s byline (thumbs up to the Advocate).

Giulietti’s article, “State DOT costs well within normal range,” June 22, (a puff piece — did he or did a staffer write?) tries to belittle Mr. Harris’s (and Mr. Hale’s) observation that just three projects would cost $16 billion with another $640 million for stations.

Hartford Interstate91/I84 interchange $4 1 billion

Hartford I84 viaduct thoroughfare — $4.35.3 1 billion (two miles)

Waterbury “mixmaster”— $7 billion 1

Three stations: two Hartford Line and one Met1 roNorth (East Bridgeport) total $640 million. These are astounding numbers notwithstanding Mr. Giulietti’s selfcongratulatory “...the employees of the DOT are experienced professionals that work to stretch every dollar as far as possible.” While Mr. Harris cites many examples of U.S. and international projects that cost a small fraction or were larger in scope, a convenient comparison is the new Tappan Zee (Mario Cuomo) bridge allin at around $4 billion.

Mr. Hale cites numerous ways the New Haven-HartfordSpringfield corridor would be better served by expanded service, purposeselected rolling equipment, electrification, bus expansion, etc. to reduce car usage as well as ways to significantly reduce the need for the roadway billions referenced above.

We read that tolls will generate $800 million/ year (less after low income tax reduction, bus passes, etc.) and also assuming that outofstate vehicles remit their toll bills. Taking the projects above alone (don’t forget MetroNorth draw bridge replacements at $4 billion, new rail cars, track upgrades, etc, etc,), it would take 20 years of fully dedicated tolls to pay for three projects. Does this make sense? No wonder the voting public ducks, roll eyes or swoons when elected officials talk about infrastructure ... and tolls.

In the past eight years as the Stamford garage deteriorated (today’s comparison to the Walls of Jericho and London Bridge), I believed former Gov. Dan Malloy and former DOT Commissioner Jim Redeker were responsible for proposing a fantasy development which never happened. However, with that stance continuing under Gov. Ned Lamont/Giulietti, perhaps it is the DOT itself that is the blocker. Where is the creativity and practicality? You be the judge.

There is no better time for our elected state and city legislators to demand a new garage on the site.

State Sen. Carlo Leone heads the transportation committee and state Sen. Alexandra Bergstein is allin for tolls. How about both of you stepping up and pushing for the garage? Together with our state representatives, Caroline Simmons, Patricia Billie Miller, David Michel, Matt Blumenthal, Dan Fox and Livvy Floren, the governor and DOT commissioner can’t sidestep this request.

The money is there, all we need is your willpower.