SouthSouth Western RegionRegion LongLong RangeRange TransportationTransportation PlanPlan 20072007--20352035 Endorsed by: South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization May 8, 2007 Prepared by: South Western Regional Planning Agency 888 Washington Blvd. 3rd Floor Stamford, CT 06901 203.316.5190 SOUTH WESTERN LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2007-2035 CONTENTS Guide to the Plan – Frequently Asked Questions………….. FAQ1- FAQ9 Introduction ......................................................................................... 1 The South Western Region ................................................................... 17 Regional Characteristics ....................................................................... 23 Transportation Inventory and Travel Characteristics............................ 28 Long Range Transportation Plan 2007 – 2035 ..................................... 39 Transportation Plan Update Components……………………………... 48 Regional Transportation Plan References……………………………... 50 The Transportation Planning Process ................................................... 51 Goals and Objectives ............................................................................ 53 Highway Systems and Operations ........................................................ 56 Transportation Systems Management and Operations.......................... 62 Safety ................................................................................................... 64 Road Condition..................................................................................... 67 Traffic Signals....................................................................................... 69 At-Grade Rail/Highway Crossings ....................................................... 71 Critical Corridors. ................................................................................. 73 Southwest Corridor.......................................................... 79 I-95................................................................................... 80 Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) ............................................. 92 Route 1............................................................................. 98 Route 7............................................................................. 101 Locally Identified Transportation Priorities & Needs...........................108 Transportation Goals & Projects of Municipal Plans ...... 115 Incident Management............................................................................ 130 Congestion Management System.......................................................... 134 Bridges.................................................................................................. 138 Noise Barriers ....................................................................................... 142 Transit System: Buses........................................................................... 145 Locally Coordinated Human Service Transportation ........................... 156 Transportation for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities..................... 159 Transit System: Rail Passenger............................................................. 163 Freight/Goods Movement ..................................................................... 185 Transportation Demand Management/Commuter Choice .................... 189 Bicycling and Walking ......................................................................... 196 Waterborne Transportation ................................................................... 201 Air and Pipeline Systems...................................................................... 204 Intelligent Transportation Systems ....................................................... 206 Security ......................................................................................... 207 Land Use............................................................................................... 210 Environmental Considerations.............................................................. 216 Environmental Justice .......................................................................... 218 Financial Component............................................................................ 223 Transportation Conformity ................................................................... 241 Public Involvement Summary .............................................................. 245 Bibliography ......................................................................................... 249 Documentation: Transmittal, Endorsements, Conformity .................... 262 Appendices ......................................................................................... 273 i LIST OF TABLES Table FAQ1: Summary of Financial Resources and Needs………………………….FAQ-9 Table 1: Population: South Western Region, 1990-2000....................................... 23 Table 2: Population Estimates: South Western Region, 2000-2005 ...................... 24 Table 3: Population Projections: South Western Region, 2000-2040.................... 24 Table 4: Population by Race: South Western Region, 2000 .................................. 25 Table 5: Educational Attainment, Median Household Income and Housing Unit Value: South Western Region, 2000................................................ 25 Table 6: Employment South Western Region 1995 – 2005................................... 27 Table 7: Place of Employment & Residence Trends, South Western Region 1990 - 2000 .............................................................................................. 29 Table 8: Means of Transportation to Work South Western Region 1990 - 2000... 30 Table 9: Commute Time in Minutes South Western Region 1990 - 2000............. 31 Table 10: Truck Travel Delay South Western Region 2—2-2006........................... 38 Table 10a. FFY2003-2005 Obligated Projects Benefiting the South Western Region ...................................................................................................... 40 Table 11: Public Roadway Mileage by Maintenance Responsibility as of December 31, 2005 .................................................................................. 57 Table 12: Town Aid for Roads Program.................................................................. 57 Table 13: Local Capital Investment Program (LoCIP) ............................................ 57 Table 14: South Western Region Miles of Road by Functional Classification 2006 58 Table 15: Percentage of Road Miles by Functional Classification 2006 ................. 59 Table 16: South Western Region Traffic Accident Facts, ConnDOT 2004............. 64 Table 17: Ramp Analysis LOS Summary I-95 Southbound Direction (AM Peak Hour)....................................................................................... 82 Table 18: Ramp Analysis LOS Summary I-95 Northbound Direction (PM Peak Hour) ....................................................................................................... 83 Table 19: Weave Analysis LOS Summary............................................................... 84 Table 20: Accident Data Summary (2000-2002) I-95 Southbound Direction ......... 85 Table 21: Accident Data Summary (2000-2002) I-95 Northbound Direction ......... 86 Table 22: City of Stamford Long Range Transportation Plan 2007-2035 ............... 123 Table 23: City of Stamford Long Range Transportation Plan High Priority Earmark Projects January 2007................................................................ 124 Table 23a: Norwalk Transportation Projects 2007 – 2011 ........................................ 128 Table 24: Bridge Report South West Region – January 2007 ................................. 138 Table 25: Bridges Requiring Funding for Rehabilitation through the Local Bridge Program (Unfunded) .................................................................... 139 Table 26: Bridges under Construction as of January 2007 ...................................... 139 Table 27: Bridges with Completed Design as of January 2007 ............................... 139 Table 28: Bridges in Design as of January 2007...................................................... 141 Table 29: 2006 ConnDOT Retrofit Noise Abatement Program – South Western Region........................................................................................ 142 Table 30: Bridgeport – Stamford Urbanized Area FTA Enhancement Program 2004 – 2006 – Federal Funding Portion.................................... 146 Table 30a: South Western Region Bus Transit Recommendations in the ConnDOT Statewide Bus Transit Study .................................................................... 155 Table 31: Job Access Reverse Commute (FTA Section 5316) ................................ 156 Table 32: Transportation for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities 2007 ............... 160 Table 33: Apportionment of Dial-a-Ride Funding to CT Municipalities – 2008..... 161 Table 34: Train Service in the South Western Region – March 2007...................... 164 Table 35: South Western Region Railroad Station Parking Fees and Waiting Lists............................................................................................ 168 ii LIST OF TABLES continued Table 36: Stamford Transportation Center Improvement Recommendations September 2004........................................................................................171 Table 37: Environmental Justice Criteria: South Western Region, 2000.................219 Table