Forget the busway, says Zydanowicz

Press release this morning from Mark Zydanowicz, one of the three Republicans seeking to run for Congress in the 1st District:

ZYDANOWICZ: RAILWAY IS THE FUTURE;
BUS WAY EQUALS FISCAL IRRESPONSIBILITY

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (May 14, 2010) -- Republican First District Congressional candidate Mark Zydanowicz today reiterated the negative impact the proposed "bus way" between New Britain and Hartford would be if it became a reality.

Long an opponent of the proposed nine-mile, $600-million bus way, Zydanowicz contends that large sections may have to be torn up if the Connecticut Department of Transportation officials need to fix the section of Interstate-84 known as the "Aetna Viaduct" in the near future.

"How many times have you seen a street re-paved, only to have it torn up for maintenance -- that's what we could be facing with the bus way.  Zydanowicz warned.

Zydanowicz stresses the need to for fiscal responsibility.

"Besides the potential for the bus way to be torn up," he said, "it does nothing to remove trucks from I-84. Needless to say, $600 million is a lot of taxpayer money for nine miles of walled bus way."

Zydanowicz backs a more cost-effective rail line in place of the bus way, saying that it will provide a far better return on investment. "The projected rail solution boils down to a cost of
$1 million per mile," he said. "I challenge you to find any taxpayer who wouldn't consider that far more appealing when it comes to cost."

Zydanowicz also points out negative fiscal implications to the state which has been hampered by a diminished manufacturing presence.

"If the bus way is supposed to relieve congestion on I-84, one can only imagine what will happen when the bus way and the Aetna Viaduct are being worked on," he said. "The bus way project will require state bonding and that will only add to Connecticut's fiscal problems.

"The bus way does nothing for our manufacturers who can benefit from increased access to new markets, creating jobs or revitalizing the distressed manufacturing landscape in our state," he added.

Zydanowicz vows to make a difference when elected to Congress.

"As a Congressman from the First District, I will go to Washington and talk with the Federal Transportation Agency to negotiate for an intelligent rail solution to better serve the needs of passengers and commerce, not just in my district, but for all of Connecticut's north-south rail corridors," he pledged.

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com