CT Department of Transportation Opens Comment Periods for Niantic Rail Station Study and Transit Service Change Proposal:
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) is accepting comments on a draft feasibility study evaluating the potential for a passenger rail station in the Town of East Lyme’s village of Niantic, as well as proposed service changes to CT Transit bus service and rail services, including Shore Line East.
- Niantic rail station feasibility study public comment period: through May 31. Comment should be sent to Peter.Calcaterra@ct.gov
- Transit service change public comment period: through May 28. Virtual public hearings have been scheduled. Visit link for more information, including comment instructions.
SCCOG to Hold Public Hearing on Requests to Amend Metropolitan Transportation Plan:
The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 19th, beginning at 8:30am, in regards to two proposed amendments to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The proposed amendments seek to add two transportation projects to the MTP.
The public hearing will be held remotely over Zoom. Instructions for accessing the Zoom hearing are contained in the agenda below.
A 30-day public comment period will begin May 10th and end June 8th. Copies of the proposed amendments are linked below. Comments may be sent to office@seccog.org.
Public Hearing Notice, Amendments, and Attachments
Meeting Agenda for Public Hearing, with Zoom Participation Instructions (updated 5/11/21)
Global Resilience Institute Completes Regional Resilience Baseline Assessment on Behalf of the State of Connecticut and DEMHS Region 4 Regional Resilience Steering Committee:
The State of Connecticut contracted with the Global Resilience Institute (GRI), out of Northeastern University, to produce baseline assessments of the initial and on-going impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, in each of Connecticut’s five Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) regions.
The baseline assessment provides a firm knowledge base to the DEMHS Region 4 Regional Recovery Steering Committee. The report can be used to identify fundable initiatives moving forward, and served to demonstrate need for such funding. The final report for DEMHS Region 4 was completed in late February 2021.
SCCOG Solicits Applications for the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program:
On December 10th, SCCOG began a solicitation of CMAQ projects from municipalities and transit districts. CMAQ is a federally funded program that funds a wide range of projects that addresses traffic congestion and air quality. Eligible projects include transit facility improvements, bicycle paths, and alternative-fuel vehicle purchases. A detailed listing of eligible projects is included in the CMAQ guide below.
Project applications must be submitted to SCCOG by Friday, February 19th. SCCOG will submit prioritized projects to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) by April 7th.
Contact SCCOG Transportation Program Manager, Kate Rattan if you have questions or require assistance.
CT DOT CMAQ Application
CT DOT CMAQ Guide
CT DOT CMAQ Memo
Worksheet: Buy America Waiver Requests for Vehicle or Equipment Projects (Excel)
State of Connecticut Seeks Volunteers for COVID-19 Relief and Programs
Volunteers are needed with a wide range of skills, to step up and and assist in COVID-19 programs across the state. Volunteers may be assigned to assist in hospitals, at vaccination and testing sites, with administrative tasks, to help deliver food to those who need to self-isolate or quarantine, and more.
Visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Information-For/Volunteers to learn how to volunteer in medical and non-medical settings.
SCCOG Meets with Southeastern Connecticut Legislative Delegation to Discuss 2021 Legislative Agenda
SCCOG Adopts Regional Transportation Safety Plan
Under contract with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), VN Engineers has prepared a plan entitled: Regional Transportation Safety Plan, Southeastern Region Connecticut. The plan is intended to help SCCOG-member municipalities coordinate with the CTDOT in an effort to reduce fatal and injurious vehicle crashes on their local roads. The plan was prepared with local input, and was adopted by the SCCOG Board at its regular meeting on January 20, 2021.
Regional Transportation Safety Plan, Southeastern Region Connecticut
SCCOG Involved in Long-term Recovery Effort:
Staff at SCCOG, the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG), and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), Region 4 are staffing and coordinating a region-wide long-term recovery effort with municipalities, non-profits, business leaders, faith-based organizations, and healthcare providers across eastern Connecticut. The DEMHS Region 4 Recovery Steering Committee convened on June 24th and is part of the State’s long-term recovery framework.
Information related to this effort can be found on the DEMHS Region 4 Recovery Steering Committee webpage.
SCCOG Undertakes City of Groton Parking Plan as a Continuation of SUBASE New London Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Effort:
SCCOG is working with the City of Groton to develop a plan to manage the supply of parking for City businesses, residents, and visitors. The plan will help the City determine strategies to meet current and future parking needs, while preserving the City’s desirability as a place to live and work. SCCOG received a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to support this work.
Visit https://www.cityofgrotonparkingplan.com/ for additional information and updates.