Effort to Scuttle Busway Falls Short in the CT House

By Daniela Altimari On May 7, 2012 · 1 Comment

An effort to scuttle the New Britain to Hartford busway fell short in the Connecticut House of Representatives this afternoon.

House Republicans proposed an amendment to a transportation bill that would have redirected funds from the project to other transportation needs, such as bridges and roads due for repair. The measure failed by a vote of 64 to 82; a similar effort in the state Senate raised late last month also did not pass.

The bus rapid-transit system has been promoted by Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy as a job-creator that would relieve highway congestion and spur economic development along its 9.4-mile route. But Republicans are skeptical. The say the proposal is nothing more than a wasteful boondoggle that won’t draw riders.

“I’ve searched this issue with my heart and soul,” Rep. Frank Nicastro, D-Bristol. But he ultimately concluded the busway is “an obsolete project” that would divert resources away from more worthy transportation needs.

The buses would run on a bus-only roadway from downtown New Britain through Newington and West Hartford, before ending at Union Station in Hartford. Supporters say it will cost relatively little for the state at $112 million because 80 percent of the $567 million estimated cost will be paid by the federal government. Overall, it will cost about $60 million per mile.

Rep. Whit Betts, R-Bristol, cited DOT statistics that show the busway would operate at a loss of $12-$15 million each year. “Imagine what that could do for our bridges and roads,” he said.

“People are asking, why are we doing this when the federal government is broke,” Betts said. “This is a matter of simple common sense. We have to start making the right choices … with the limited money we have…The time is wrong to do this, it makes no sense”

But House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey said it’s too late to pull the plug on the project because the state would have to reimburse the federal government for the hundreds of millions of dollars it has already invested. “The train has left the station on this project,” he said. “It’s too late…for those who feel as strongly as they do.”

Sharkey called the amendment “well-intentioned but irresponsible” because it would stick Connecticut taxpayers will the costs the federal government has already spent, he said. “It might feel good to vote in favor of [the amendment] because you stood your ground on a project that you don’t like but the reality is, the project has already started.”

Nearly $90 million has already been spent on land acquisition for the planned route. Six major contracts have already been signed, and construction is expected to begin soon. An official groundbreaking is expected later this month.

One Response to Effort to Scuttle Busway Falls Short in the CT House

Sharpshooter says:

May 7, 2012 at 6:04 pm

Too bad….I’m sure that both future riders will applaud this vote…..wait for phase 2 when our esteemed legislators call for linking Wilamantic with Meridan because the federal government(our money) will fund 80%