December 18, 2007

Hon. M. Jodi Rell                                          

Governor

Hartford, CT 06105

VIA FACSIMILE

Dear Governor Rell:

The resignation of Commissioner Carpenter provides a valuable opportunity to change the existing culture of the Transportation department from over-reliance on new highway construction to a willingness to adopt new and more effective tools to manage transportation.

The League of Women Voters of Connecticut urges you to nominate a Commissioner of Transportation with a proven track-record of experience to:

• recognize that the old approaches are not working;

• consider longer-term solutions to traffic congestion;

• explore innovative approaches to traffic solutions;

• adopt a fix-it-first policy instead of building new highways;

• expedite completion of those highway projects currently under way that hold the greatest potential for reducing bottlenecks;

• change the department’s culture and retrain the department’s personnel to plan and implement these new concepts.

Since 2005, members of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut adopted Transportation as their legislative priority reflecting the importance our membership of over 2,450 places on this issue.   We share the Department of Transportation stated goal to provide a safe, efficient and cost effective transportation system that meets the mobility needs of its users.  The League further believes that the transportation system must be balanced, interlocking and multi-modal and the principal goal of any transportation policy must be the reduction of all vehicular traffic on Connecticut’s roads.

Under your leadership, the need to overhaul the transportation system through the development of priorities and goals that rely on non-vehicular alternatives was clearly articulated.  Significant funding has been provided to improve and expand transportation options.  This executive and legislative mandate was further strengthened through the creation of the Commission on the Reorganization of the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Much has been put in place to shift our state toward a revamped transportation system that serves our economy and citizenry. However, we lack an experienced and talented transportation chief who can create the paradigm shift needed to achieve our goals.  Three years ago there was a different vacancy and you appointed a Commissioner of

Environmental Protection with experience, energy and determination who has served our state with pragmatism and innovation. Our state needs a Transportation chief of the same caliber. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input and thank you for your commitment to transportation, an issue of vital importance to the economic health of our state.

Sincerely,

Jara N. Burnett

President

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