New Britain to Hartford Busway Path Already an Issue

New Britain CT – Senator Joe Markley (R-Southington) and Representative Whit Betts (R-Bristol) joined homeowners living on Cottage Place in New Britain today to express concern over the path of the proposed New Britain to Hartford busway.

New Britain homeowner Rick Nelson said, “We were told the busway would not affect our property or our quality of life. Now we understand the busway is going to come onto our property and that is going to not only affect our daily lives, but the value of our home. It’s unacceptable.”

Homeowners on Cottage Place have recently had their property marked by the Department of Transportation to show where the busway path will be constructed. Many will now have to move sheds and fences. They also face losing a good portion of their back yards.

Senator Joe Markley said, “The fact that the busway is still going forward boggles the mind. As details of the plan emerge, the people are seeing this project for what it is: a boondoggle.”

The Army Corp of Engineers has yet to sign off on an environmental permit for construction of the project. The 9 mile busway is estimated to cost nearly $600 million dollars; $110 million in state bonding and the remainder in federal transportation funds.

In March the largest of the busway construction contracts – $130 million was awarded to an out of state company.

Representative Betts said, “Labor leaders in our state were outraged, as they should be. Where are the jobs the governor promised? It looks like most of the work will go to Massachusetts contractors.”

Other smaller contracts have since been given out to a few Connecticut-based construction companies.

“I’m only sorry their expertise and their employees won’t be put to work on something more useful, like fixing our existing, ailing roads and bridges,” said Senator Markley. “Why are we building this busway to nowhere? I look forward to raising that question again on the floor of the Senate.”

Click on the link below to see the proposed busway route.

http://www.ctrapidtransit.com/NB-Hartford_Busway_Station_Contracts.jpg