One Response to “Random Roundup”

1. Buck Honda http://EastHartford,CT.

   August 27th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

   Buck Chips Honda I
   227 MAIN STREET, APT. # 2
   EAST HARTFORD CT 06118-3613

   Dear Mayor Melody A. Currey,

   (BY MISTAKE I it the send, and not the save drafts button-this is the full letter that I ment to send).

   I`m a registered voter at the above address.

   And I have several things to say regarding East Hartford.

   The Aetna Viaduct(I-84) There is major talks concerning the Aetna Viaduct, and this is my take on this massive project–esp. the EH side of the river.

   1], They want to make improvements to I-84, AND I-91 in Hartford, that rage from a simple reroute of both of these interstates, from just co signing(and removing the highway altogether) the route on other interstates(I implore them /you not to let that happen).

   2], Tunnel I-84 from Pope Park(just west of Sisson Ave. exit 46- and come up just east of the Connecticut River in EH.(following the original alinement (and then under) the river where I-84 was to have its own bridge-and not use the Buckly)

   3], Build I-84 at grade level(really a depressed roadway-and still be able to build over it with buildings, parks and what not).

   4], OR A slight reroute: Build a new highway either from Exit 45 on 84,(shorter route) or exit 40/41 area (following the CT. 71 to the Charter Oak Bridge(rebuild the bridge to a twin span carrying AT LEAST 5 lanes each with full with inside/outside shoulders, and continue this to where 84 is that wide at the exit 57 split.

   …or build a new highway from the exit 40/41 area to the southern end of the CT(Wilbure Cross highway-freeway section(where it ends/begins at the Berlin TPKE), and rebuild this road to at least 5 lanes wide each way, with full with inside/outside shoulders to the COB….OR not, and continue this new highway to the Putnam Br. CT. RT 3, keep this bridge for surface streets,but build a twin span that is six lanes wide on each span, with full with inside/outside shoulders,and finishing building the unbuilt I-491 that was to have been built back in the 70s to the I-84/I-384 interchange thats on the EH/Manchester line and all bridges to have a bike/pedestrian walkway.

   5], as for RELOCATING I-91, finish building the unbuilt I-284, from where it ends now at Governor ST.(AKA the Prospect St. Connector) to Exit 44 on I-91 in East Windsor(the original planned route of the I-284)…and have I-91 rerouted on this interstate instead-and no I-284).

   Then reconfigure the 5 way interchange, to have the main line of I-284(I-91) flow through of at least 8 lanes on through to the CT 2 Expressway.

   Crossing the CT river ethier on the Charter Oak Br. or the Putnam Br.
   …COB, I-91 would have its own bridge that would be 5 lanes wide each way. This new span would be on the north side of the new I-84`s COB, and oriented on a more North/South to neet up with the new reconfigured 5 way interchange. And all of the connections with both I91&I-84 would where CT. 15 FREEWAY, AND I-91 meet now in Hartford

   …OR at the Putnam Br. CT. 3, and in a similar way, I-9I`s bridge would be to the north of I-84`s, and connections for these interstates would be on the Weathersfield side of the river, except that 91 would require a new roadway to be built from the bridge to the exsisting CT 2 freeway,and the CT 2 freeway would have to be rebuilt to at least 8 lanes(4 each way), throughout the EH area from CT 17 freeway, to I-91 in East Windsor.

   a note on on the Putnam Bridge, this would be used for a new suface street bridge that would connect , Putnam road in Glastonbury, and Maple Ave. in Weathersfieldand a brand new twin span built for I-491 instead. There would be exits to serve all of these roads and highways.

   6], What to do with the old sections of I-84, AND I-91?
   If OLD 84 is rerouted, then from the West, would be signed a 3 digit interstate spur, or a Bus. interstate spur/loop, and then a arterial BLVD into Hartford.

   …from the EH side, old 84 would be moved over to the Founders br. ,and the CT 2 freeway end, with a 3 d. interstate # into Hartford, and the CT. BLVD would be reconnected to a restored Buckley BR. Complete with trolley(like it was a long time ago), and the 5 way interchange would be a 4 way stack? interchange.

   When look at a map of CT/Hartford area, another route for I-84 comes to mind(has been for years). Where I-84 makes the tight curve at exit 48/49, the highway would continue on a more Northeast heading to follow the RR tracks, with a new interchange with I-91, and cross the river just north of Riverside park, and follow the RR tracks all the way to where I-84/I-291 meet, and the old 84 would be resigned a 3 D# all the way into downtown Hartford, via the Founders BR, and the reconfigure 5-way interchange, and CT. 15 would start/end here.

   …AND I would figure a way to have road to go from EH Town hall, and downtown Hartford through the 5-way interchange with this road on the top, and have full access to the interstate highways–as this straight across-from Old State House, to EH TH.

   …as for the old 91, from the north, a 3 digit interstate # given for this spur interstate/bus. loop interstate.
   The freeway portion will end at apx. Exit 34/33 area and would flow into Main, Market Sts., and Columbus BLVD(AS A BUS. INTERSTATE). From the south. The old 91 would be torn down, and the Park river opened up, and Charter Oak Landing would be expanded(and the freight RR Track that is there now, would ethier be moved, or tunneled, so that the COLTSVILL would blend in(connect) with both Colt Park, and Charter Oak Landing. As for 91, the freeway would transistion into a remade Weathersfield Ave. on a new very short connector from the Exit 27/28 area to Weathersfield Ave.(Note: Weathersfield Ave. Main St., and a new short connector from the north back onto I-91 would be the bus. interstate-either this route or the other alternative would be, from the north merge the Freeway end into Weston St. near exit 34 on I-91, and build and arterial BLVD from there south to Columbus BLVD, and from there south to Huyshope Ave. then back onto the freeway south of exit 29. This BLVD/Arterial would be just like Columbus BLVD is now where is passes by the CT. Con. Center.

   I-91, tunneling, if they want to tunnel both of these interstates in there original alingment, then do so. Ethier with, or with out the two having an interchange with each other, without an interchange, have all connections made via one of the above mentioned. (Note: do not tunnel I-84 directly under the Buckely BR.-AS THIS COULD COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE BRIDGE). At the portals of each of these tunnels, have the exits for downtown Hartford, and no exits in the tunnels.

   ….I-84, if tunneled, from the west, then build a BLVD from the portal into downtown via Capital Ave.(from apx. the Sission Ave. exit).

   ….and from the east, build a BLVD. from the end of the Buckley Br. to Walnut St., and in between expand area of Bushnall Park, and buildings.

   I-91, if tunneled, from the north portal, build a BLVD, south to Columbus BLVD. via the old I-91. Contiuing along Columbus BLVD. till Willys Ave., and follow Van Block Ave/Huyshope Ave. to meet up I-91, following the old I-91 to the south portal at apx. the Airport RD. exit…and or this…

   …From Jennings road(north portal), use the vacated 91, and build a BLVD, south to the south portal near Airport Road. Go under both Bridges(Founders, and the Buckley).If they decide to open up the Park River all the way to the CT. River(now is the time to do so). If they do, here are my thoughts on that.

   They could build a 4 lane BLVD from Jennings RD. south to Exit 27/28 area, using the vacated ROW of I-91., and expand the river front park futher west to where Front street use to be.

   or a two lane park road, or have two of these road which terminate at the confluent of the Park, and CT. rivers. and connect the two via a pedestrian foot bridge over the Park River. Plus this, to the north would be the River Front Park, to the south would be the Charter Oak Landing Park, and a liner park from these two parks following the park river to,and through Bushnell Park, all the way to Pope Park.

   If the they don`t open up the Park river, then use the above mention BLVD alinement(via Columbus BLVD., OR use the vacated I-91 ROW from the north, all the way south to exits 27/28 area, as mentioned above, or the south, and reduce the highway to a 4 lane BLVD, and use the exsisting Colon-Whitehead Highway in to the downtown area, and let the park road connect here via intersection, or a round about(circle), or extend the road from the Charter Oak Landing to meet up with the exsisting road, and access road that runs under 91 near UI.

   A note on the flood protection system; The current system of flood walls, and leveees will play a major role here. One thought I have on them is that they can replace much, if not all of the sysyem that runs in this area with what is called an INVISABLE FLOOD WALL. It is built with a permanent foundation, and the walls a made of aluminium planks, and steel supports that can be set up, and taken down in areas like here that have a flood season: website is; http://www.floodcontroldam.com of Flood Control America. This is great where space is limited, and be used as a portable/permant protection system around buldings and such where the protection valuble equipment, supplies, and such.

   With or with out this mini (big dig project) these are my thoughts on EH ROADS-have been for years..

   I-248, AND I-491 should be finished, There should also be more bridges across the river, as everything jams up on the only two bridges between downtown Hartford, and EH.

   A note on I-84, I-491, I-91, These interstates would one highway, as in it`s main line would flow evenly through, and not be scattered about in an interchange area. This highway would have dual carriage ways(inside express lanes/outside local lanes). And be the main road with the same number of lanes to, and through the interchange area. To go into Hartford and points west, from I-84 east, you would have to interchange(exit) the main line(I-84/I-491) South to stay on I-84 west to get to Hartford. From the south, you would have to interchange(exit) from I-91/I-491 north to stay on I-91 north, get to Hartford, and points north.

   Two foot bridges, that will allow street legal scooters to cross as there is no legal way to cross the Buckely, and Founders BR. as they prohibit these vehicles due to the roads they carry being freeways.

   One would be placed in between these bridges, that would connect Kinsley St. in Hartford, and connect with East River Drive(next to the Sheraton Hotel) in EH.

   The other foot bridge, would Connect with the CT. Convention Center(near where the on ramps to I-91/84 are now), and the other side would connect with Hartland St. in EH.

   A vehiclular bridge One from East River Drive/AKA Silver Lane EXT., and connect with Charter Oak Ave. in Hartford.

   The Buckley BR. would be restored to a surface street bridge, and connect with downtown Streets in Hartford up to Main Street.

   There would be 3 surface arterials, two would run east/west, the other north/south.

   The first one; would run from apx. west of Manchester center, following US 44/6 just to its north, and west. In EH this would leave Burnside Ave. west of Wickham Park, and head over to Goodwin St., and follow(parralle) it to the CT river, and cross on its own bridge near the Jennings Road exit(#33), and contiuing west to US 44 Near where I-291 would be(just east of MT. Road).Parallel to Tower Ave. in Hartford, and pass to the north of Hartford University, and Hartford Golf Club, then head over to US 44(Albany Ave.), At the very least, build a bridge here with approach roads connecting to US 5, and Goodwin St. on the EH side, and Jennings Road on the Hartford side.

   To the south, a surface arterial running from apx. Center, and W. Center St. in Manchester, west to MCC, cross I-384 apx. exits 1, and 2, then following Woodside, and Forste ST. Then Brewer St., and cross the CT. River and follow Airport Rd., Brown St., White St.and New Britain Ave. to the apx. area of exit 40/41 on I-84. At the very least, build a bridge here, that will connect with the High, Main, Brewer, and CT`s 2 exit 5 area in EH, and Airport Road at exit 28 on I-91 in Hartford.

   …and a north south arterial from the EH/South Windsor line, and run to the east of Main St. south to Brewer St, and Main VIA the Roberts St. exit of I-84.

   All of these arterials to be 4 lanes(2 each way), with a 10′-12′ rasied landscaped medians, with intersections at major roads only, with sidewalks on both sides, and bike lanes too.

   …the bridges to be 4 lanes wide(2 each way) with bike lanes, and sidewalks on both sides

   Signalized intersections to be span wire, or truss arm.

   Main Street improvement;

   First and foremost those Mast Arm Traffic Light Signal Poles have got to go, and replaced with either a truss arm traffic light signal pole, or span wire.

   Angled parking is making a come back, what I like to see done to Main Street is:

   From the fire station to the south, to the RR Bridge to the north, Main street to have angled parking on both sides. One lane of traffic in each direction, a 10′-12′ rasied landscaped median, with curb extentsion(AKA Bulb outs), mid block pedestrian crosswalks(that have builtin lights in the crosswalk-which is embeded in the pavement, and lights up when the botton is push to activate the signals, old fashion street lights , with double lights on each pole, that light up the street brightly, but not blinding, or cause glare. Also I would like to to see Main street widen to 12′ on both side from the Fire Station south to (a reconfigured intersection with Brewer St., and Main, High Sts. and the CT. 2 Expressway). For the reason of bike lanes(5′), and a 7″ = s a 12′ shoulder, for a place to pull over, bus stops, park if need be, if you get pulled over, and for the police to be safer when making traffic stops, break downs. My biggest complaints with surface streets is that they lack a parking lane that serves as a safety buffer for pedestrains from passing traffic.

   I`m a firm believer in the agressive use of the 5th admendment of the US Constitution regarding the takings clause: nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation… however, I give all evicted from their land/house for whatever the reason be(buiding highways) to enjoy a tax free life for the next 10 years

   Public Transportation:

   PLEASE DO NOT FORCE PEOPLE TO USE SUCH, BUY NOT TAKING CARE OF THE STATES FREEWAYS,LIKE BUILD NEW ONES, IMPROVE EXSISTING ONES.

   Though I`m a heavy user of public transportation-when I use it, I`m not a fan of public transportation,and this is why:Starting with the above mention-rude, violent, and dangerous people, fixed routes, have to pay what they say-which can be a bit pricey,except for the city,and town centers, no shelters, not enough frequent service to popular places as well as work, delays, stoppages, strikes, crowded buses,and trains a real turn off, limited service in smaller areas, not transfer friendly to other transit lines–if CT Transit handled all of the transit system in the state, plus expand, it would be a darn sight better then what is now,as CT Transit is by far better then what I have used in other areas of CT,and the country…and this is what I say about public,and alternate transportation.

   Railroads:

   Before any more abandon rail lines are converted into trails, we might want to put those abandon lines back into service. It was discovered by me, that in the Library of Congress(on line)a railroad map of the entire state of CT for the year of 1893. Which shows many railroad lines,many of which mirror the routes of the states freeways mentioned above, and therefor for commuters, high speed rapid transit,and fright these should be put into service.All railroads would tie into all long island sound bridges,and cross these bridges,and connect with rail lines in NY.

   Hartford for example should of had a subway system in place to serve itself,and its`(and that such should be built) suburbs,and what CT needs is a high speed rapid transit system for the states larger cities,and their suburbs, mono rails, and bullet trains. Bullet trains can travel over 300 MPH!!. From Hartford to NYC, or Boston, your in those cities in less then 20 minutes!!! Lets get building that commuter line from Springfield to New Haven.

   The Subway/High Speed Rapid Trasit system:

   All of these subways will follow the major streets in Hartford, then come up from under ground and become the high speed train, and run down the freeway`s median to its final end point-in short the system routes would mirror the very same CT. Transit routes now, and all of the freeways would be built to.

   In Downtown Hartfor there would (SHOULD)be a Port Authority Style intermodel trasportation Station that is the hub/connections for for all trains, subways, city buses, interstate buses, trolleys, light rail, and cab stand. In this place a major shopping center/mall, and the building be a skyscraper of 80 stories or so.

   Light rails, I would like to see a light rail(a trolly as some would call it) come into the downtown area of Hartford, like they have in San Jose, CA. Check out The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority`s websie(VTA),at http://www.vta.org. The Griffith line is identical to VTAs light rail trolly(the train itself),and my only complaint here is, that it will not go into,and through the downtown area of Hartford—-on its` way to Middletown.

   Buses: Have CT Transit take over all transit districts,and expand into areas that never had a public transit system.

   Busways, the New Britain busway, ALSO THERE IS A BUSWAY TO GO TO ROCKVILL, AND MANCHESTER RIGHT ALONG THE EXSISTING RAIL LINE THAT GOES THROUGH EAST HARTFORD—my only complaint is how come a paved road,and not a railroad, as it is on old RR ROWs.

   Bicycle lanes,and paved bike ways: Bike lanes should be on most state highways,and in cities too, that some of those levies, and abandon rail lines be coverted to paved bike ways,and bulid new ones where needed.

   The following is a copy of my letter to elected officals

   ************************************************************************
   BUCK CHIPS HONDA, I
   227 MAIN STREET, APT. # 2
   EAST HARTFORD CT 06118-3613

   Dear CT. Gov. M. Jodi Rell
   Dear CT State Rep. Henry Gengra
   Dear CT State Senator Gary Lebeau,
   Dear CT. D.O.T. Comm. Joseph F. Marie

   I have sent this to several elected officals to help this city get needed funding, and the US Congress to prevent the destruction of the state`s interstate, and intrastate system.

   Here is my input on the I-84 relocation/tunnel proposal by National; leader John Norquist .

   Let the D.O.T. Repair the bridge,(that will have it last the next 20 years, and in the interm draw up a final design as to what this will be like when all is said, and, then buld it.

   I`m a registered voter in Connecticut, whom is a poor and impoverished nobody, but I do pay attention whats going on, and will voice my concerns on subjects of interests

   Before any work is done here, TOP OF THE ORDER(PRIORITY WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO DONE FIRST).

   THE FAMILY MUST BE RETURNED, AND RESTORE TO FULL CAPACITY—AND PUTING THE FATHER BACK IN THE FAMILY, AS THE HEAD THEREOF, WHICH IS ALSO THE HUSBAND TO HIS WIFE, AND A DAD TO HIS CHILDREN. When the family unit was destroyed, the city was decimated, because love was removed from the equation of life-esp. the family which is central to all things, under the relm of God. So when the family ened, your neighbor left also, as did the neighborhood, and what has taken its place are areas called the hood,because love is no more. What has risen up in its place is this:

   Instead is a wild west,with crime ridden streets.The people here are the worst I that I ever seen,extremely bad attitudes, coldest, crulest, most selfish, greedy undesirables, its a me first attude, and I`ll kill you if you have something to say about it.(many here carry knifes, and razors blades) The shootings here are so bad, that I refer to some ares of the city as shooting galliers. Also the lazy-homeless that are homeless by their own choice, as they refuse to pay for anything, and get all they can from shelters, social services, and even the jails(they use that to further their plight). They know how long stays are at shelters, and they can go back to the trough and sponge off the good people, tax pays .Ex offenders turned shelters into a prison like enviorment. I have seen feeding frenzies the likes of which belong to animales-feed the pigions and you`ll see what it is I`m talking about, and therefore this city, social services, courts, police, shelters band together and put a stop to this selfishness once and for all, and these people,and their activities will go..

   The oppressively high taxes, the lack of high paying jobs, and affordable, clean, safe housing.(both of which are in decline-vacancy rate of such is ever increasing, I`m seeing more homes/apt. buildings boarded up. Hartford is in the richest state in the Union, yet, has the state`s poorest zip codes.

   The rich in this state, New Yorkers, and foriners with the money will end up owning this city, and drive the poor out as they will not be able to afford anything at all.

   Taxes, must be lowered, fair, and equitable-extremely oppressive here with the current tax structure of both CT. , and Hartford.

   In short, the people have left this city(and others like it) to the tune of 80,000 plus because of the crime, very bad people-the coldest crulest that I have ever witness-a city of hate-and I`ve been around the Country! High Taxes, pollution,dregs of socity, and noise.

   Instead, get aggressive with a weed and seed operation: weed out all of this hatered, and get rid of people that refuse to be a part of society,and this community, and drive them out-permanently, then seed this city with families, and cultivate them with love(jobs, careers, education, activites, recreation, and such that is of a good wholesome quality), and you will build a better city, along with the brick, and mortar, and concrete, and steel.

   Suburbia, has come about for people to get away from these things,plus there is more room to grow and even with out the freeways—Surburbia will stil have come about for the same reasons-US 44 HAS NO FREEWAY, AND IT IS GROWING, AND SPRAWLING TOO.

   I agree that if the malls didn`t exsist, Hartford, and every city would get their downtowns back- and it was the rail road the caused suburban spraw,not the highway.

   As for neighborhoods, They are like a small town within the city. They should have the following for Hartford to be a truly walkable city: service stations, garages, drug stores, 5&10s, soda fountians, movie houses, shops, restaurants, banks churches, at least two parks, one a town like green in the center of the neighborhood, and they other for play, recreation, activities, and such. backs branch services of the city, libraries, fire stations, police stations, post office, in short every thing that is needed, wanted and desired can be found in the residential neighborhood,that is served by a transportation system of either bus, light rail, subway, and or a trolley, where the wait time for the next bus, is less then 10 minutes.

   …and as for downtown, I would like to see all of those unbuilt skyscrapers built, tallest one to have an 360 degree observation deck, , and build at least one sports arena to host 4 professional sports: baseball, football, basketball, and hocky, and soccer. Plus more green space like bushnell park, plazas. promiinades, the entire downtown connected with sky walks, and more of the same with respect to stores, shops, 5&10s, so and so forth, along with a full venue of Gov`t services of US, State, and City.

   Downtowns of yester year were lit up with all of those signs from all of those stores, and such-today barely a flicker-not counting street lights, and traffic lights.

   …AND New Haven`s downtown is jammed packed with stores–even on the grond floor of two parking decks-Chaple St. Garage, and the Air rights Garage over rt 34-why this wasn`t done before they built Pfizer Inc.

   …however, in Providence Road Island, two things are/have been done that Hartford have been giving major thoughts of doing-I-84, and the park river, should take a look at what has been done there.

   1], Their river was opened up after being covered up, and it has done wonders for the downtown.

   2], I-95, For the same reasons, of left exits, closely speced exits, weaving, and tight curves, I-195 has been relocated just south of its, and the land left behineD will be developed-adding to an already to a redeveloped, and thriving downtown. And this project is refered to as the Iway, for these reasons:

   The “Iway” branding conveys a purpose of personal connection and ownership. Coupled with

   the tag line, “Yours. Mine. Ours.”, RIDOT wants everyone to understand that this project is

   being done for them, to improve their quality of life, and to improve safety in general. The

   name is simple, clear, and most importantly … memorable.

   …but at the same time do not take my car from me, by destroying the freeway, shopping mall, and force me to live where you want me to live, and how you want me to travel.

   I-84 tunneling,

   If this is the route taken, for I given major thought to this too, AND my first thought is this-the railroad posses a major hurdle to this. If it too is lowered, how will this affect the nearby Union Station–will the train stop at it-underground? Very serious as any alterations to this historical building must be considered first. Or will this be elevated? Contradicts the I-84 tunnel project.

   the following should be:

   1], Depressed(below ground level, 5 lanes wide with 10′ paved shoulders inside and out, in both directions-from at least Sission Ave, to the CT. River-and beyond.

   2], or same as above, but with no exits—express, and the upper level would handle the exits—local.

   3], or same with the lower roadway being the freeway, and the local traffic would be serviced via a surface arterial/C&D Roads.

   Doing this big dig, you might as well finish the unbuilt I-484/Colon Whitehead Connector, as it was to be built as a tunnel via a cut, and cover under Bushnell park, and include in the project a major over haul of Bushnell Park: Sidewalks, railings, drainage,and bring back the Park river(open it up again) just to name a few.

   Park River: The following will be an engineering marval.

   Open up the Park River, from where it comes up by 84 at Pope Park, and it too, a river walk-both sides all the way to the CT. River.

   1], Move the Main Library to the old Hartford Times building, and remove the buildings on the other side of Main St. too that is there now.

   2], put back, and restore all of the old bridges that crossed over this river, before it was covered up.

   3], build the entire I-484 (Conland-Whitehead Highway). underground-AND I-91 too

   4], and on top of the highway build a water highway bridge AKA a channel-bridge—INFO ON THIS TYPE OF BRIDGE-GERMANY HAS THSES: Dose this bridge have to be designed to withstand the additional weight of ship and barge traffic, or just the weight of the water?

   It only needs to be designed to withstand the weight of the water! Why? A ship always displaces an amount of water that weighs the same as the ship, regardless of how heavily a ship may be loaded, and it can be built as long as needed, and it`s fairly wide too.

   5], flood control/protection system,aliken to New Orleans, and Holland that will utilize pumps, an underground channel, for overflow, and a flood gate-the service road/park walkway that runs paralle to I-91 rises up where the tunnel for the river is now-put the gate here, and make that bridge historical, like it`s always been there before, and the other at pope park. And tie into the Park river walkways into river front walkway system.

   As for other freeways to be tunneled, I-91, From Exit 29 to just before I-84, esp. by Coltsvill-so people that work, and live there can cross a street, and go directly into Charter Oak Landing–Railroad there too must be sunken, or relocated, AND COLT PARK, like to see it fully restore, and recieve a major face lift-as it realy needs it.

   The other one, CT. RT. 34 from just west of the Turnpike, to the just east of CT. 10—This should be extended to where it would meet up with the old 34 near the West Haven/ Orange line–very big mistake not building this freeway–built to I-684 this would have been a excellent bypass for both I-95, AND I-84, Their already half way there, as 34 is below street level.

   I-84, is in need of a major over haul, I prefer to see it above ground, widen to 10 lanes, or 4-5 lanes express/3-4 lanes local configuration, and straighten out the curves, from the stack interchange in Farmington to the 5-way interchange in East Hartford.

   84 would be realined north of it`s original location apx. 500-1,000′ crooss the CT River on a new bridge, and meet up with the redesigned 5-way interchange in East Hartford. The Bulkeley BR. would be restore to it`s original with, and a trolly would be put back-as it was long ago.

   The Freeways that were to be built from I-84 in Hartford would be built: the CT 189 Freeway, AKA The Woods River Frewway, AKA The Woods River BLVD(EXIT 46), AND the Ceder Ridge Connecter-AKA Flatbush Ave,, and the US 44 FREEWAY that was to connect with I-84 at the kink section between Asylum, and High Steets–I call it a knik because this cure is tight, and I can feel it-even when I`m not driving. (This freeway-US 44, was to be built to Canan, CT. and bypass Avon Mt.scene of two major truck crashes one resuled in several deaths).

   Shunting the traffic around Hartford, well thats what they were trying to do when the D.O.T planned the I-291/I-491 beltway arond Hartford, plus, If the 66, and the 32 freeways had been built, a much larger bypass would have allowed the through traffic bypass the city from afar.

   Why have traffic go into a city that has no intention of going there-but only through it on their way to their intented destination(most likely, Springfield, boston, or New York).

   Inside the city, there should be 4 more bridges crossing the CT. River Currently there are only two in the downtown area and clog up during the rush. One should be placed apx. at or near the Jennings road, and the other apx. between the Charte Oak Br., and Brainard Airport utilizing surface arterials to connect the surface streets, with the freeeways.

   Interstates, and citys, like Hartford, must be served with at least one north/south interstate, one east/west interstate, a inner loop, a quadarnt connector, a beltway, and a bypass of the city that passes by some 30-50 miles from it-like the CT. 66, AND 32 Freways were to do if they had been built.

   Its not listening to the planners of 40-50 years ago that has resulted in the traffic woes.

   BTW: The Atna viaduct would been better looking if it had beeen painted. I`ve been out west(TX, NM, AZ) and the freeway bridges(The parapets, supports, and abutments, and others have art work, and the look of exposed layer stone work on the abutments, and walls—we need to spruce up, before we knock down and later regret it), are painted in southwset, and earth tone colors, along with indian designs too.

   Rerouting I-84, from either exit 46, or the Stack interchange in Farmington following CT 71, to the Charter Oak Bridge (with a paralle span built), might be concidered-but it will go through neighborhoods.

   Eminent Domain: Must be used.5th Amend. of US Constitution says; nor shall private property be
   taken for public use, without just compensation.
   Just compensation should inclued both owners, and tenants be relieved of paying any tax for 10 years. Condem the land, pay the owner, and built the freeway-and be done with it—today there are way to many hands in the pot that is spoiling the soup, and we all are paying for it-dearly.

   Public Transportation:

   BUT PLEASE DO NOT FORCE PEOPLE TO USE SUCH, BUY NOT TAKING CARE OF THE STATES FREEWAYS,LIKE BUILD NEW ONES, IMPROVE EXSISTING ONES.

   Though I`m a heavy user of public transportation-when I use it, I`m not a fan of public transportation,and this is why:Starting with the above mention-rude, violent, and dangerous people, fixed routes, have to pay what they say-which can be a bit pricey,except for the city,and town centers, no shelters, not enough frequent service to popular places as well as work, delays, stoppages, strikes, crowded buses,and trains a real turn off, limited service in smaller areas, not transfer friendly to other transit lines–if CT Transit handled all of the transit system in the state, plus expand, it would be a darn sight better then what is now,as CT Transit is by far better then what I have used in other areas of CT,and the country…and this is what I say about public,and alternate transportation.

   Freeways,and highways, I do firmly believe are the greatest engineering marvals the result of God`s will, that was ever built by the hands of man. They were built for a number of reasons,and to serve a number of purposes: recreational, touring, travel, commerace, trade,work,comunting,and defense of our Country, and this State.,and further I believe in this also:

   * The Regional Freeway System is the backbone of the area’s transportation grid and must be expanded to meet the 21st Century needs of commuters, tourists, and freight movement.

   * Having an effective transportation system is important to the region’s ability to attract and keep good jobs, enjoy good air quality, and a high level of mobility.

   * Mass Transit should be provided for those who need and/or want to use it. However, funding for transit should be based on realistic ridership projections.

   * Insufficient transportation funding is also a serious problem and hinders proper maintenance and expansion of the system. We need our fair share of federal and state funding; vehicle-use taxes dedicated to roads only; and exploration of other ideas such as toll roads, per-mileage fees, and congestion pricing.

   Traffic congestion is a solvable problem and it is time for something to be done, and for Connecticut I would like to see these freeways built:

   Railroads:

   Before any more abandon rail lines are converted into trails, we might want to put those abandon lines back into service. It was discovered by me, that in the Library of Congress(on line)a railroad map of the entire state of CT for the year of 1893. Which shows many railroad lines,many of which mirror the routes of the states freeways mentioned above, and therefor for commuters, high speed rapid transit,and fright these should be put into service.All railroads would tie into all long island sound bridges,and cross these bridges,and connect with rail lines in NY.

   Hartford for example should of had a subway system in place to serve itself,and its`(and that such should be built) suburbs,and what CT needs is a high speed rapid transit system for the states larger cities,and their suburbs, mono rails, and bullet trains. Bullet trains can travel over 300 MPH!!. From Hartford to NYC, or Boston, your in those cities in less then 20 minutes!!! Lets get building that commuter line from Springfield to New Haven.

   The Subway/High Speed Rapid Trasit system:

   All of these subways will follow the major streets in Hartford, then come up from under ground and become the high speed train, and run down the freeway`s median to its final end point-in short the system routes would mirror the very same CT. Transit routes now.

   In Downtown Hartfor there would (SHOULD)be a Port Authority Style intermodel trasportation Station that is the hub/connections for for all trains, subways, city buses, interstate buses, trolleys, light rail, and cab stand. In this place a major shopping center/mall, and the building be a skyscraper of 80 stories or so.

   Light rails, I would like to see a light rail(a trolly as some would call it) come into the downtown area of Hartford, like they have in San Jose, CA. Check out The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority`s websie(VTA),at http://www.vta.org. The Griffith line is identical to VTAs light rail trolly(the train itself),and my only complaint here is, that it will not go into,and through the downtown area of Hartford—-on its` way to Middletown.

   High speed bullet train can travel up to speeds up to, and over 300 mph-there should be such running from at least NYC, and Boston, with a stop for Hartford, and a statewide system if practible

   Buses: Have CT Transit take over all transit districts,and expand into areas that never had a public transit system.

   Busways, the New Britain busway—my only complaint is how come a paved road,and not a railroad, as it is on old RR ROWs-and the fact that this will run parallel to the Amtrack line which runs under the Atna Viaduc.

   Bicycle lanes,and paved bike ways: Bike lanes should be on most state highways,and in cities too, that some of those levies, and abandon rail lines be coverted to paved bike ways,and bulid new ones where needed.

   Sincerely,

   Buck Chips Honda, I

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