[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E32]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ROUTE 11 GREENWAY ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB SIMMONS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my first 
legislative initiative of the 108th Congress--the ``Route 11 Greenway 
Act of 2003.'' This bill authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to 
acquire land for a greenway along the proposed construction of Route 11 
in eastern Connecticut.
  Route 11 is a state road, initially intended to connect Connecticut's 
state capital region to its southeastern shoreline, making it a vital 
transportation link for the region. The road has been unfinished for 
over thirty years. As a result, traffic is forced onto Route 85--a 
local, 2-lane, 18th-century country road incapable of absorbing today's 
volume of traffic in a safe and efficient manner. And the problem is 
only getting worse.
  The site of numerous accidents--and many of those fatal--the Federal 
Highway and Transit Administration gives the Route 11 corridor a 
failing service grade in many places and projects mostly failing grades 
in the coming years as traffic increases.
  The bottom line is simple: the completion of Route 11 is critical to 
the safety of Connecticut motorists. And further inaction is 
unacceptable.
  Unfortunately, the environmental review process has delayed 
completion of Route 11 for three decades. Connecticut travelers have 
paid the price for this delay--some of them, with their lives. This is 
unacceptable.
  I am here today to reject the idea that environmental concerns and 
transportation safety are mutually exclusive ideals. In fact, I have 
long believed that environmental stewardship and transportation 
projects do not have to be inherently competitive pursuits. Instead, if 
we are willing, these interests can serve each other.
  That is why I stand before my colleagues today to introduce 
legislation establishing a greenway along the proposed construction of 
Route 11, from Salem to Waterford, Connecticut.
  My bill specifies that the land acquired for this greenway will be in 
addition to any land otherwise required to mitigate the environmental 
impacts of the roadway construction.
  This region has seen rapid sprawl and unprecedented economic change, 
making it increasingly ripe for growing development. Knowing this, the 
Route 11 and greenway projects offer an environmental opportunity to 
preserve land that will otherwise be lost to development. This is a 
win-win. It is time to move forward.
  The completion of Route 11 and an associated greenway have been 
unanimously endorsed by the chief elected officials of the twenty 
municipalities in the region acting through the Southeastern 
Connecticut Council of Governments.
  I am honored to have the support of several of my Connecticut 
colleagues for this bill and proud to introduce this important 
legislation in the interests of environmental preservation and the 
safety of Connecticut motorists. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues in passing the Route 11 Greenway Act of 2003.

                          ____________________