As traffic-calmers convened for a rally, Paul Nu√±ez worked the hallway, setting up a behind-the-scenes meeting to push the group’s agenda.
The hallway encounter took place outside a legislative reception Wednesday hosted by the Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance on the third floor of the state Capitol building.
Seven traffic-calming activists hopped on a biodiesel bus from New Haven to Hartford to push for statewide adoption of their “complete streets“ agenda, which has gained traction locally in New Haven. Activists, some still in bicycling shoes and shirts, pedaled or walked to the bus, which was donated by Yale’s Office of New Haven and State Affairs.
Nu√±ez, a former mayoral aide in New Haven’s City Hall, didn’t take the bus. He drove from New Haven to his new Capitol office, where he works for Speaker of the House Chris Donovan. When the New Haven group walked into the rally at 3:15 p.m., Nu√±ez was at the door. He and safe streets organizer Mark Abraham (in photo at top of story, right to left) compared notes about pending bills.
At the podium, a series of speakers promoted a “complete streets policy” that would move the state away from an auto-centric model toward one that accommodates other modes of transit.
“We can be a leader on this issue,” declared State Rep. Tony Guerrera, co-chair of the Transportation Committee and one of several invited guests at the rally. Dozens of bicycling, smart growth, and childhood obesity activists applauded.
On the side of the room, Nuñez got to work. He identified a key point person in the movement: Ryan Lynch, a senior planner in the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. Near a table of Italian cookies and orange soda, he sidled up to him.
“Erin Sturgis-Pascale is my alderwoman,” explained Nu√±ez, referring to the Fair Haven woman who has spearheaded a grassroots traffic-calming movement in New Haven. “I ran her campaign.” He explained that his new boss, Donovan, is on board with the safe streets philosophy. He’d like to make sure other legislators are, too.
Nu√±ez identified a piece of legislation that’s sitting in the joint Transportation Committee, HB 5649. The bill would require that “whenever an arterial road or major street is constructed or rebuilt within the state of Connecticut, the roadway shall be designed to safely accommodate the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users regardless of age or ability,” with certain exceptions made.
The bill has been introduced, but not raised. Nuñez asked Lynch to set up a meeting with Guerrera to explain the proposal, make sure it gets a public hearing, and talk about the final language of the bill.
Bike lanes are easy to picture, Nu√±ez said, but the complete streets philosophy isn’t as well-understood: “The design aspect and the road infrastructure hasn’t been done.”
Nu√±ez predicted the bill might cause some people to “flip.” “It’s going against the grain of what they’re used to doing,” building roads solely to cater to automobiles. He secured Lynch’s commitment to help explain and push the concept.
As Guerrero made his way out of the room, the trio made contact. Guerrero agreed to set up a meeting.
As he walked down the hall, Guerrero said he did intend to incorporate the bill Nuñez was interested in into a new complete streets proposal before his committee.
“There’s a very good chance of getting that raised,” said the legislator.
After the rally ended, State Rep. Tom Kehoe, a bicyclist and key supporter of the complete streets movement, shared his plans with a few New Haveners who had traveled up on the bus.
Kehoe is one of three vice-chairs of the Transportation Committee. He said he intends to wrap in the “complete streets” priorities into a new bill, SB 735. The bill will have three components: One, accommodate non-auto uses in the planning and design of new roads; two, establish a permanent state bicycle/pedestrian advisory committee; and three, shift transportation funds to programs that improve biking and walking.
Kehoe said he hopes to achieve all three with no new funding.
Is there anyone who’s opposed to the bill who we should talk to? asked traffic-calming activist Mark Abraham (in photo at left, with Kehoe).
Kehoe said he hadn’t met any opposition so far. He said both co-chairs are on board with the bill, and a deputy commissioner of the state Department of Transportation had a positive response.
On their way back to New Haven, Abraham and his half-dozen bus-riding companions stopped by to see if they could reach New Haven’s Sen. Toni Harp. She was scheduled to speak at the rally but got tied up in a long public hearing before the Appropriations Committee.
The group was lucky enough to catch Harp in the hall on a bathroom break. She took a folder of info on complete streets and headed back into the room.
A secretary suggested the group turn its lobbying efforts towards Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
Doug Hausladen, a New Haven downtown management team leader who organized the bus trip, said he’d take the advice to heart.
“We will,” he said, as the group headed for the biodiesel busride home.
Great job by all! I cannot tell you the difference that is made by citizens directly lobbying the General Assembly.