Connecticut Seeks to Leverage Transit to Build Roads

With two major transit lines in the pipeline, and several billion dollars of road, bridge, and transit repair and replacement projects planned for the future, Connecticut officials are counting on transit-oriented development to help raise revenue.

1 minute read

December 12, 2012, 11:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


At a transportation forum held earlier this week, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy explained the state's transportation funding dilemma as such, reports Don Stacom: "Addressing Connecticut's transportation challenges is key to growing our economy, creating jobs, and making the state more competitive," Malloy said. "Fewer [federal] dollars will be coming to our state. What do we do about falling gas tax revenues? How do we build out Route 11 or the 395 interchange or the widening of 95 in the eastern part of the state?"

Malloy answered his own question with a nod to the revenue generating potential of private development around new transit stations. It seems ironic, though, that the Governor would pay for road projects with revenue generated by leveraging transit projects (in turn, potentially starving those systems of passengers and further development potential).

Nevertheless, speakers at the forum expressed optimism that "[t]he New-Britain-to-Hartford busway and the proposed Springfield-Hartford-New Haven commuter rail line will create opportunities for developers to build relatively high-density housing near stations to accommodate young workers and empty-nesters," notes Stacom. "The state can help coordinate that development and adopt policies that allow more public-private financing to relieve the strain on taxpayers, they said."

Monday, December 10, 2012 in The Hartford Courant

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Interactive Map Reveals America's “Shade Deserts”

Launched by UCLA and American Forests to combat heat-related deaths, the tool maps the shade infrastructure for over 360 U.S. cities.

June 3 - UCLA Newsroom

Close-up of person putting sticker on back of basket of electric tricycle with mock license plate reading "E-TRIKE."

Bicycles and Books — In Sacramento, Libraries Now Offer Both

Adult library card holders can check out e-bikes and e-trikes for up to one week.

June 3 - The Sacramento Bee

Large pile of unsorted garbage in landfill with birds flying above at sunrise or sunset.

Colorado Landfills Emit as Much Pollution as 1M Cars

Landfills are the third-largest source of methane pollution in Colorado, after agriculture and fossil fuel extraction.

June 3 - Colorado Newsline

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.