Let the midnight special, shine it's light on me

After years of progressive transportation planners screaming for something other than widened highways, new expressways, mixmasters, HOV lanes and anything that involves pouring more blacktop, this seems brilliant.

Pardon me for being cynical, but being from a state that seems to be run by the roadbuilding industry, I want to see the details before I don my cheerleading outfit. And why is the spokesman from the DEP bureau of outdoor recreation?

Of course, the next question to ask: If we can accomplish this in five years to transport freight, why in God's name haven't we been able to figure out a light-rail solution for people?

My other car's a train (bike, bus)

Vijay Pinch pointed out two provocative articles about development and transportation in Sunday's Hartford Courant Editorial section. One deals with the definition of smart growth and how alternative transportation plays an important role in that definition. The other is about the success of Amtrak's Boston - Portland commuter rail.

One thing is clear. Middletown, as a halfway point between Hartford and New Haven, should be planning to be part of any future rail system. Right now, according to the Courant, a New Haven-Hartford-Enfield segment has the support of leadership in Connecticut. Middletown needs to be a part of this effort, with a spur that connects Middletown to New Haven and to river communities. A rail alternative seems an obvious catalyst for positive development

A local Middletown group has formed to address the issues and challenges of alternative means of transportation. Transportation Alternatives Middletown, is looking for people who think there's a better way to get from here to there.