It fills in a failed urban renewal highway. Does that make it “new urbanism”?

Last week, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) released environmental review documents for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) commuter rail project. According to project documents, the improved NHHS line will bring economic and environmental benefits to the region. Mobilizing the Region reports.

Rep. Whit Betts: ‘The Voters Don’t Want This, And Today The Voters Were Overruled’

May is National Bike Month and this year’s theme is One Ride, Many Reasons. To highlight and celebrate the many benefits of bicycling, throughout May the League of American Bicyclists will bring you the personal reflections and inspirations of a diverse collections of bicyclists from coast to coast with daily 31 Days, 31 Reasons blog feature. And who better to kick it off than the U.S. Secretary of Transportation himself?

The Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency has applied for a $150,000 grant that would set up a professional bike-sharing program.

Sen. Andrew Maynard, proponent of a bill to put tolls on Route 11, said he felt like he was trapped on the bus from the movie “Speed” after discussion of his bill was hijacked by a debate on the New Britain-to-Hartford busway project.

After months of public debate and criticism, plans to start filling in the Route 34 Connector with new development sailed through the City Plan Commission Wednesday night.

A public workshop on the Merritt Parkway Multi-Use Trail Feasability Study that took place at Osborn Elementary School in Fairfield Tuesday night was aimed at uncovering concerns and opportunities and suggestions the Connecticut Department of Transportation could consider implementing if the trail ever comes to fruition. Click on this environmental headline for more on this story from Environmental Headlines.

A critical passenger railroad right-of-way corridor is under attack by rails to trails advocates. Their plan would eliminate the possibility of direct passenger rail service between New London and Hartford. If revived as a passenger rail corridor, this could be one of the most spectacular scenic train rides in New England.

Bike Walk Connecticut has announced that Kelly Kennedy has joined the organization as Executive Director. “… With her exceptional communications skills, significant experience with other Connecticut non-profits and strong personal interest in fitness and the environment, we believe she is the right person to lead Bike Walk Connecticut’s growth as a statewide organization,” said MaryEllen Thibodeau, President of the Board of Directors.

Carter Winstanley will have to make “art objects” a part of his big new development project. Pictures of New Haven, too. His tenants can sell wine—but no beer. Dollar stores? “Adult” establishments? Forget it.

This is from the panel discussion and seminar organized by the 1000 Friends of CT at CT’s Legislative Office Building yesterday, http://www.1000friends-ct.org/ Joe Magee on Transport Orient Development For more on this story, visit: Joe Magee on Transport Orient Development – YouTube.

Three Republican state legislators are proposing a bill to stop the New-Britain-to-Hartford busway, and a Democratic lawmaker is sponsoring a measure to cap its budget at its current estimated cost, $567 million.

Connecticut needs a 21st-century bill that supports smart growth and a balanced transportation network. …

Connecticut Transportation Committee Chairs—Transportation Committee co-Chairs, Senator Andrew Maynard and Representative Tony Guerrera, have gotten off to a quick start this session in advocating for the safety of all users of Connecticut’s roadways

The DEEP and the Connecticut Greenways Council have announced that they are now soliciting nominations for official state greenway designations. Greenways are an integral part of any community, offering recreational opportunities, providing alternate transportation options, helping to preserve the environment, and supporting economic development.

New Haven should take a second look at developing running streetcars from and to Union Station, in the view of one visiting transportation expert. That expert, Norman Garrick, made the pitch at a spirited meeting of the New Haven Urban Design League that drew 50 people to the community room of the New Haven Free Public Library last Thursday evening. The New Haven Independent reports.

More than 74,000 Connecticut residents use public transportation every day to get to work, school or errands, according to a 2010 bus expansion plan by Transit for Connecticut, a public transit advocacy group that is part of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment.

This week, Connecticut Post reporters have been walking, biking and taking trains and cars to work and facing the challenge of getting around mass transit’s missing links. Read more about this story by clicking on this environmental headline above.

The Connecticut DEEP today issued a proposed final decision recommending the issuance of an inland wetlands and watercourses permit to the Connecticut DOT required for the construction of the New Britain to Hartford busway. The proposed final decision can be accessed on the DEEP web site. Click on this environmental headline for more on this story.