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Fortuna: Can You Lend a Hand?

Recently, I had a constituent stop in and ask if I knew why the Amtrak/Shoreline East ticket office were now 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when they were previously open close to 12 hours a day. I emailed Amtrak and received its response, which was all about cost savings. More recently, I read an article on the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (DOT) ability to fund future transportation projects in the state. Falling revenues going into the Special Transportation Fund (STF) have created a dire situation. The STF will be insolvent within the five-year time period that credit rating agencies’ use to determine the state’s credit worthiness. DOT relies on bonding for its projects and at the moment, DOT cannot bond. DOT is currently borrowing money from another state agency and will have to reduce spending by $200 million in the next six months to bring expenditures in line with STF revenues. Other draconian cuts to capital and operating projects will be necessary in subsequent years if no new revenue for DOT is found. The impact of the decline of the STF could be further exacerbated if there are any cuts to federal transportation funding. DOT’s projects presume flat federal funding.

So how does/will this impact Old Saybrook?

• DOT is conserving cash. Anything that costs the state money is at risk of being put on hold or canceled. Local Transportation Capital Improvement Projects, funds from which were used to rebuild North Main Street, are at risk of ending.

• All non-concession rest stops in the state will be permanently closed.

• State-funded maintenance such as pothole repair and snow plowing will be cut. DOT may close roads during winter storms. (Maybe we can all lend a hand by shoveling the exits off I-95?)

• Transit operations are immediately vulnerable. Shoreline East service may be reduced 50 percent and transit districts receiving major cuts to subsidies of 15 percent in FY19 and 50 percent in FY21. This is just not funny. As a state, we are attempting to take more vehicles off the road. Reducing service is not the answer.

• Para-transit services for people with disabilities will be culled to only what is mandated under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Extra services beyond federal mandates will not be funded.

• Fares on rail, buses, and para-transit will go up.

• Major projects such as the widening of I-95 between the Baldwin Bridge in Old Lyme to the Gold Star Bridge in New London will not proceed, nor will the removal of traffic signals on Route 9 in Middletown.

• DOT will leave approximately 500 empty positions vacant.

• Consultant contracts will be terminated.

It is likely the reduction in spending by DOT will have significant economic multiplier effects in the local economies of many communities. Old Saybrook will not be spared.

The state’s fiscal mismanagement continues to rear its ugly head. Buckle up; the ride gets bumpier.