Hartford Business Journal

2015 | Doing Business in Connecticut 89 ose traveling in the opposite direction will be able to take the train to Windsor Locks, then catch a shuttle bus to Bradley Interna- tional Airport. Other New England states are currently at work on extensions of the Hartford Line, which will eventually allow travelers to con- tinue by rail to Boston, Vermont or Montreal. Meanwhile, the new CTfastrak rapid bus system between New Britain and Hartford opened in March, adding another layer of connectivity. e buses, which operate mostly on a former rail right-of-way, are expected to reduce congestion on nearby I-84 and add convenience for commut- ers, students and other travelers. e $567 million project included construction of 9.4 miles of "guideway," on and off ramps, and sev- eral stations along the way. Passengers traveling to Hartford can currently disembark at Union Station, or continue on a route that circulates throughout the downtown. ConnDOT Transit & Ridesharing Ad- ministrator Michael A. Sanders said DOT is looking at extending the CTfastrak connection to Manchester, using the existing dedicated commuter lane (cars would still be able to use the HOV lane). Creating a further connection to UCONN's Storrs campus is also on DOT's radar. Sanders pointed out that beyond direct service and connections to CT Transit buses, CTfastrak offers the option of intermodal con- nections. "As it is, you'll have connections in Hartford with Amtrak and in Waterbury with the Waterbury branch of the New Haven line. Plus, the Newington Junction and Flatbush stations both are potential station sites for the expanded NHHS line," allowing passengers to switch easily between bus and train. Flying High Air transportation is another focal point for Connecticut. In addition to ongoing ef- forts to expand international and domestic service, work is expected to get under way late next spring or early summer on a cen- tralized rental car facility at Bradley Interna- tional Airport, adjacent to the old Terminal B, which is being demolished. e new "Transportation Center" will not only make it easier for customers to obtain and return rental cars, but will also include a significant amount of covered parking. Kevin Dillon, executive director of Con- necticut Airport Authority (CAA), which operates Bradley and the state's regional airports, said the facility is expected to open in late 2018. He said the CAA has been working to fi- nalize a business arrangement with the rental car companies in the vicinity of the airport, noting that these companies "will become a primary partner in terms of funding and constructing that facility." Dillon added, "part of the enabling work calls for a realignment of the roadway system at the airport, particularly the roadway entry off Route 20. We have just finalized plans for that, and are hoping to start construction this sum- mer." ere will also be a realignment of the airport's surface parking facilities, he said. e CAA is also looking at an aesthetic upgrade for Terminal A, and is "continuing to invest millions of dollars into our airfield infrastructure, ensuring that existing runways and taxiways remain in top-notch condition." Route development continues to be Dil- lon's primary focus. By convincing existing carriers to add seats and expand domestic routes, he and his team grew Bradley's pas- senger numbers by 8.4 percent last year. Much of his current efforts involve expanding direct international service beyond current Canadian and Caribbean routes to transatlantic destinations. "London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Dublin are all good potential candidates for restoration of international service," Dillon said in March. "We're hoping to accomplish that sometime in 2016, and we expect to have a service start announcement this year." In April, the CAA announced it was in discussions with with Aer Lingus for non-stop service to Dublin, with the state providing a $5 million revenue guarantee. Redeker said making the right connec- tions, whether by air, rail, bus or road, "is fundamental to a strong economy." If people can't get to school or to work because of travel issues, or delivery trucks are constant- ly stuck in gridlock, the economy suffers, he explained. Without adequate transportation investment in Connecticut, "we'll just be in a downward spiral." He added, "We want to attract people to stay here, live here, take vacations here, and locate businesses here, but we're going to have to spend money to get there. It's a significant time for us to reach a consensus on what the future is going to be." ❑ PHOTO/CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION The new CTfastrak rapid bus system between New Britain and Hartford opened in March. The buses, which operate mostly on a former rail right-of-way, are expected to reduce congestion on nearby I-84 and add convenience for commuters, students and other travelers. Passengers traveling to Hartford can currently disembark at Union Station, or continue on a route that circulates throughout the downtown. HARTFORD LINE Capital improvements under a 15-year, $750 million program include: › Improve track and signals along the 62-mile rail corridor › Upgrade bridges and culverts to accommodate double tracking › Upgrade at-grade crossings to enhance safety › Enhance exis ng sta ons and build new sta ons › Provide new train equipment Courtesy CT Department of Transportation

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