Latest news with #GarrettEucalitto
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Agreement between Connecticut and the Trump administration aims to speed up infrastructure projects
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The U.S. Department of Transportation and the state of Connecticut announced a new agreement on Thursday that aims to cut red tape and speed up transportation infrastructure projects. The department said the agreement will allow the state to review projects more rapidly, cutting up to six weeks off the schedules of major efforts like the ones at the Gold Star Bridge and along the New Haven Line of Metro-North Railroad. Walmart raising prices due to tariff costs According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the agreement between the Trump administration and the state is the first of its kind in the country. It comes as state transportation officials from around the country are convening in Hartford for a meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Under the agreement, Connecticut will be delegated authority to expedite infrastructure project reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act, a federal law. 'We deeply appreciate the support from the U.S. Department of Transportation in making it a reality,' Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto, the head of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the national president of AASHTO, said in a written statement issued by the federal Transportation Department. 'By streamlining environmental reviews and cutting government red tape, we can more efficiently advance projects and ultimately reduce costs.' U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday's announcement is part of a broader effort by his department and the entire Trump administration to slash regulations and encourage more construction around the country. 'Thanks to President Trump, America is building again,' Duffy said. 'We've slashed costly red tape and prevented unending environmental reviews to build the big, beautiful infrastructure projects that will propel America forward for generations.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bill seeks to expand speed cameras on CT highways. DOT says 24,900 warnings issued in pilot
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has made it clear: The crisis of accidents and fatalities the state sees on its roads would decline if drivers were to follow the speed limit, kept their phones put away and follow other rules put in place to keep motorists, passengers and pedestrians safe. Now, with the goal of further enforcement of speeding and reckless driving laws, a Connecticut General Assembly bill passed by the Transportation Committee calls for a plan to expand speed safety cameras on state highways. The bill was approved by the committee and placed on the House calendar, records show. The proposed bill, HB-7058, would require the Department of Transportation commissioner to develop a plan to expand speed camera use on state roads by Feb. 1, 2026. It also would 'permit a municipality to use any funds generated from the use of an automated traffic enforcement safety device to reimburse a vendor for the expenses associated with the design, installation, operation or maintenance of such device.' The bill was introduced on Feb. 20, a public hearing was held, and it has been on the House calendar since April 1. The calendar does not indicate whether or when it could be taken up. Why fatal crashes were up in CT in 2024 despite massive efforts to curb alarming trend 'This bill aims to reduce instances of reckless driving and support local and state law enforcement in monitoring and detecting instances of reckless behavior, while saving local municipalities the massive costs associated with installing and maintaining these cameras,' according to the Transportation Committee's joint favorable report. According to an Office of Legislative Research summary, the proposed bill would require the Department of Transportation commissioner also to submit any proposed legislation to the Transportation Committee by February 1, 2026. Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto provided written testimony in favor of the proposed bill. 'CTDOT has long advocated for the use of speed safety cameras, as they are a proven safety tool that can be deployed as part of comprehensive speed management programs to target speeding‐related safety problems,' Eucalitto said in the testimony. Eucalitto said the DOT 'administered a highly successful pilot program to operate speed safety cameras in select highway construction work zones' from April to November 2023. During that span, the DOT issued more than 24,900 warnings, as well as 750 fines in five pilot locations. The data showed a reduction in speeds and lower drivers going slower when there were warning signs and cameras were effect. 'Of the five pilot locations analyzed, all showed reductions in driver speeds, with four locations showing significant reductions in speed when compared to data collected prior to enforcement,' Eucalitto said. 'Speeding was reduced at two work zones on I‐95 by 17 to 18 percent. This reduction can be attributed to the active speed enforcement, signage, and public outreach,' he said. 'In addition to showcasing a low percentage of drivers who were subject to fines, the small number of repeat offenders highlights that work zone safety technology can be effective without adding substantial costs to drivers. Based on the demonstrable success of the pilot program, the General Assembly authorized CTDOT to re‐establish the work zone program on a permanent basis, and we expect the program to launch in the summer of 2025.' Ronnell Higgins, the commissioner Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, also supported the bill. 'Our agency supports Section 1 of the bill which would allow the Department of Transportation to develop a plan to expand the use of speed safety cameras on the state Highways,' Higgins said in written testimony. 'We look forward to being a thought partner in this endeavor as roadway safety remains a top priority.' 'Our agency also supports leveraging technology to assist our troopers especially as we continue to face challenges with recruitment and retention,' Higgins wrote. 'Concerns about reckless driving and speeding motorists have been growing since the start of the coronavirus pandemic five years ago.' Higgins cited the growing number of traffic fatalities in the state that has included more than 300 traffic fatalities in the state since 2021 as well as rising numbers in speeding infractions of motorists driving at 100 mph and above as well as between 80 and 85 mph. 'In developing the plan, the commissioner must consider the Federal Highway Administration's Speed Safety Camera Program Planning and Operations Guide and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's High Visibility Enforcement Toolkit,' the OLR report notes. Scotland First Selectman Dana Barrow also supported the bill. 'As the First Selectman of a small town in Eastern CT without a police department this is the only way to slow down the traffic,' she said in testimony. Town of Winchester-Winsted Town Manager Paul Harrington and Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett also were the supporters of the legislation, specifically with reference to the municipal camera portion. Under current law, municipalities can start speed and red light camera programs but only after they adopt an ordinance that meets the law's requirements and get a speed and red light camera plan approved by DOT every three years. CT's first speeding cameras are set to roll out in January in town with just one stoplight The Office of Fiscal Analysis found the bill would add no municipal or state fiscal impact. 'The bill requires the Department of Transportation to develop a plan to expand speed camera use on state roads and does not result in a fiscal impact because this is within the department's current expertise,' the OFA report said. 'The bill also allows municipalities to use revenue from fines collected as a result of municipal speed and red-light cameras to reimburse a vendor for camera design. This does not result in a fiscal impact as it does not change the revenue a municipality will collect from these devices.' 'Regarding the use of municipal speed and red-light camera fine revenue, current law allows municipalities to use the revenue to pay costs associated with camera use. The bill specifies that these costs include reimbursing a vendor for speed and red-light camera design, installation, operation, or maintenance. By law, fine revenue may also be used to improve transportation mobility and invest in transportation infrastructure,' the Office of Legislative Research said.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Connecticut wants you to drive less. Here's why
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — In honor of Earth Day Tuesday, leaders with the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced the start of their Drive Less Connecticut Challenge. The challenge encourages everyone in the state to drive less and try more environmentally-friendly transportation options instead. Paving project in Enfield, East Windsor on I-91 to cause traffic delays 'This Earth Day, it is important to all of us to recognize and address the harmful impact of greenhouse gases on our air quality and climate. This campaign asks all Connecticut's residents to do whatever they can to drive less and use greener alternatives wherever they need to go,' DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. Officials hope by driving less, people will also reduce their overall expenses associated with owning and using a vehicle, while also easing traffic congestion. They're challenging people to do this through May 31, during which time people who record their eligible trips on CTrides app could win prizes. Connecticut DOT introduces new truck to analyze road lines By the numbers, officials want to eliminate 35,000 car trips, save $375,000 on gas and car maintenance, and reduce the travel by single-occupant vehicles by 550,000 miles. For every 17 car trips eliminated, one tree will also be planted through a partnership with One Tree Planted, with a maximum number of trees set at 2,000. 'The transportation sector continues to be the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and asthma-causing air pollution in our state. This challenge is a great opportunity for residents to consider their transportation habits and the impact they can make by taking actions to reduce emissions such as biking, walking, utilizing public transportation, and carpooling and vanpooling,' Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes said. CTDOT announces campaign to keep roads safe from distracted driving Download the CTrides app or go to to set up a free account and start recording any eligible trips to win a prize. The app also offers different features- like a trip planner that gives residents travel options to destinations throughout Connecticut. For more information and to sign up and start tracking, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
CTDOT announces campaign to keep roads safe from distracted driving
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced a campaign to keep residents safe on the road and free of distractions. The Distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign comes during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. MTA employee fired for running side hustle on the job The campaign will enforce distracted driving laws in April. CTDOT says distractions are causing crashes, injuries and fatalities on the roads. Around 5,318 crashes were attributed to distracted driving in Connecticut, which led to eight deaths and 787 injuries, according to recent data. 'Safety should always be the top priority for drivers, and that means focusing on the road, not on a screen,' Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said in a written statement. 'Every moment you spend behind the wheel requires your full attention. This enforcement and awareness campaign is a clear reminder that distracted driving is both illegal and deadly. Let's all do our part and commit to making Connecticut's roads safer for everyone.' To stay safe on the roads, CTDOT advises: Pull over and park if you need to respond to a message Have a designated passenger to manage calls and messages Avoid social media use while driving Do not use a vehicle's 'infotainment' screen or other portable video players 'Do Not Disturb' feature, silence notifications, or place your phone out of reach in the glove box or back seat if you struggle to resist checking your phone For more information on distracted driving, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Commuters can get to Grand Central from New Haven in 90 minutes thanks to super express train, DOT says
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — New Haven Line customers are saving about 10 minutes per trip thanks to a new super express train running from the Elm City to Grand Central Station, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT). Metro-North updates train schedules out of New Haven Run time is now down to 90 minutes for most trains. Major factors of this change was making improvements, such as modernizing and fine-tuning signals. With these updates, MTA leaders say that Metro-North is now faster and cheaper than the Acela coming into Grand Central from New Haven. 'We know that the residents of Connecticut, the Nutmeggers who rely on it to get into the city every single day have come to trust the on time performance,' DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. 'It's critical for us in Connecticut and our economy to know that people can rely a fast safe reliable and predictable commute.' New timetables are also in effect. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
