2021 CTDOT Press Releases

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• 5/28/2021 Governor Lamont Launches Program Offering Fare-Free Weekend/Holiday Bus Service To State Parks and Beaches This Summer

  Governor Ned Lamont today announced the launch of ParkConneCT, a pilot program offering new fare-free shuttles and enhanced existing transit service to various state parks and beaches this summer from Memorial Day weekend beginning Saturday, May 29, 2021, through Labor Day weekend.

• 5/26/2021 Governor Lamont Announces Weekend Wheels Fare-Free Summer Bus Service Will Also Include All Local Public Bus Routes in Connecticut

  Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Weekend Wheels – the fare-free CTtransit bus service his administration is launching that will be available to everyone in Connecticut each weekend this summer – is extending to include all local transit district bus routes statewide.

• 5/19/2021 Commissioner Giulietti Urges Connecticut Residents and Visitors to Help Prevent Crashes that Result in Deaths and Serious Injuries with ‘Toward Zero Deaths’ Campaign

  Connecticut Department of Transportation and partners statewide launch new awareness campaign to promote an enhanced culture of safety and reach the goal of zero deaths on Connecticut’s highways.

• 5/13/2021 CTDOT’s “Connecticut In Motion” Webinar Examines the Impact of COVID-19 on Current Workplace Trends and Commuting

  The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), through its commuter services program, CTrides, will debut the next webinar in the “Connecticut in Motion” series on Tuesday, May 18 at noon. This episode will explore the impact that COVID-19 has on current workplace and commuting trends in Connecticut.

• 5/12/2021 Minor Train Schedule Changes for New Haven Line and Hartford Line Announced

  The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced that minor schedule adjustments will be made to the New Haven Line (operated by Metro-North) schedule effective Monday, May 17, 2021, and the Hartford Line effective Monday, May 24, 2021.

• 4/30/2021 CTDOT Announces Upcoming Infrastructure Improvements on the Waterbury Branch; Substitute Busing Necessary

  Today, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced the continuation of infrastructure improvements on the Waterbury Branch this spring and summer, requiring substitute bus service to replace train service. This work builds on the successful 2020 construction program that accelerated construction of the new Waterbury Branch signal system and new passing sidings. This year, the construction program includes completion of the new passing sidings, at-grade crossing improvements, continuation of tie replacement and track upgrades, and completion of the signal system.

• 4/29/2021 CTDOT Announces Public Hearings on Proposed Service and Fare Changes for Bus and Rail

  Today, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced four public hearings to gather input on rail service and fare changes that were previously made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the temporary suspension of peak rail fares and the proposed elimination of the Mail & Ride fare program. The hearings will also cover proposed service changes to CTtransit bus service and minor fare changes on two CTtransit Express bus routes.

• 4/28/2021 Connecticut Department of Transportation Goes Orange for National Work Zone Awareness Week; Marks ‘Go Orange Day’ on April 28, Urges Support for all Roadway Workers

  The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and states across the country are promoting National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) from April 26-30, 2021. The theme for National Work Zone Awareness Week 2021 is “Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives!” The national and state campaigns are designed to raise awareness and educate the public about using caution in work zones to increase the safety of workers, motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists on the roads.

• 4/22/2021 CTDOT Celebrates Earth Day

  The Connecticut Department of Transportation in observance of the 51st anniversary of Earth Day today provided an update on its ongoing efforts to invest in and promote programs and policies that emphasize environmental stewardship to foster a cleaner and healthier environment in the State of Connecticut.

• 4/7/2021 DOT's Connecticut River Ferries Resume Seasonal Operation

  The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing the start of seasonal service tomorrow morning, Thursday, April 8, at 7 a.m., for the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry, the nation’s oldest continuously operating ferry between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury on the Connecticut River. It is the only crossing for cyclists between Hartford and Middletown, providing cyclists a shorter route between the two towns. The ferry, which was scheduled to begin operation on April 1, was delayed due to elevated water levels on the river.

• 4/5/2021 Distracted Driving is Dangerous Driving! - “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” April Enforcement Period Kicks Off!

  The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office today launched “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.,” a national high-visibility enforcement campaign for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. In partnership with state and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign will step up enforcement efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws between April 1 to April 30, 2021.

• 3/31/2021 Connecticut Department of Transportation Revs Up Motorcycle Safety Awareness, Reminds Motorists to Share the Road

  As warmer weather arrives and more motorcycles make their way onto Connecticut’s roadways, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is urging drivers and motorcyclists to share the road and be alert. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are an estimated 28 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash.

• 3/29/2021 CTDOT RELEASES FIRST-EVER STRATEGIC PLAN FOR CONNECTED AND AUTOMATED VEHICLES

  Today, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announces its first-ever, statewide Strategic Plan for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) to support emerging transportation technology and mobility trends. Specifically, the plan outlines strategies for advancing multimodal CAV-related services and infrastructure to address both current and evolving transportation needs.

• 2/25/2021 CONNECTICUT MASCOTS TEAM UP FOR AN IMPORTANT “MASK-OT” MESSAGE ON KEEPING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFE DURING COVID-19

  Today, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) released a public service announcement (PSA) campaign featuring popular Connecticut team mascots reminding public transit passengers to not get sidelined by COVID-19. The PSAs showcase Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz with some heavy hitters, including: Hartford Athletic, Blaze from the Connecticut Sun, Chompers from the Hartford Yard Goats, Storm from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Howie the Hawk from the University of Hartford and Big Red from Sacred Heart University.

• 2/25/2021 CTDOT Launches “Connecticut In Motion” Webinar Series; Inaugural Episode Examines the Myths and Realities of the Relationship Between Transit and COVID-19

  The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), through its commuter services program CTrides, has begun a series of webinars for the public to explore the future of the state’s public transportation system as well as issues facing commuters on the road and in the workplace. The inaugural episode features national and local health and transportation experts who will provide facts and also address myths related to the spread of COVID-19 and public transportation systems, citing results of recent studies. The podcast is moderated by Dennis House, Chief Political Anchor, News 8 WTNH.