ACEC/CT Update

DECD Commissioner for September Meeting

We are proud to have as our guests at the September ACEC/CT Dinner Meeting Joan McDonald, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.

For firms serving the private sector, DECD is the state’s lead state agency responsible for business recruitment and retention, brownfield redevelopment, and housing and community development.

Public sector firms will be interested in the Department’s involvement in transit-oriented development, responsible growth and municipal grants.

Ms. McDonald has 25 years experience in government and the private sector. Her public sector experience include: Senior Vice President for Transportation at the NYC Economic Development Corporation; Deputy Commissioner for Planning and Traffic Operations for NYC DOT; Director, Capital & Long Range Planning at Metro-North Railroad; and Deputy Budget Director for the NYS Assembly Ways and Means Committee. Ms. McDonald’s private sector experience includes serving as Vice President of Jacobs Engineering where she was responsible for the marketing and operations of Jacobs’ New York/New Jersey office.

Sign up for this meeting and/or become a sponsor by clicking on the registration and sponsorship forms in the right column.

Still No Bond Package

Governor Rell and legislative leaders are still fighting over the bond package. (Click here for Journal-Inquirer article.) The delay is holding up major school, clean water and transportation projects.

2008 Engineering Excellence Awards

The ACEC/CT Engineering Excellence Awards program offers firms an opportunity to earn national recognition and showcase their talent and expertise. Download a brochure and application form in the column at the right.

Governor Announces new DOT QA Office

Governor Rell has announced a new DOT Office of Project Oversight and Quality Assurance. (Click here for news release.) The new office was included in the Governor’s budget passed earlier this year and includes positions for engineers who will work on the department’s QA/QC program.

New DOT Affidavit

Governor Rell has announced new contracting provisions for DOT contracts. Under the new policy, consultants and designers will be required to sign a “certificate of compliance” stating that to the best of their “knowledge, information and belief,” the work they have performed is in compliance with contract terms or the approved plans and specifications of the project. The new policies will take effect October 1.

Click here for announcement.

DOT Commission

Last Friday the Governor's Commission on the Reorganization of DOT held its second meeting. The Commission is still trying to feel its way in terms of what functions the DOT performs and how it operates. I think that they may be having a hard time trying to keep their perspective from the strategic/organizational level. There's a tendency to get "lost in the weeds." Don Shubert, Executive Director of the Connecticut Road Builders, caused a stir when he said that there was a "climate of fear" at ConnDOT. He complained that the staff is fearful of making a decision that will risk their career. Senator Don DeFronzo, Chair of the General Assembly's Transportation Committee, testified that the DOT should be broken up into separate organizations for roads/bridges, airports and mass transit. I testified about the shortage of engineers, the need to speed up projects and QBS. I also offered assistance to the Commission.

Copies of my testimony and attachments can be found under "Bill Tracking" on the right.

Bridge Failure Commentary by Petroski

Here is a link to an op-ed article by Henry Petroski, noted Engineer and author about the bridge collapse last week in Minneapolis, MN. Mr. Petroski has authored several excellent books and teaches engineering and history at Duke University.

Governor Asks for More Money for Bridges

Governor Rell is asking for $100 million to repair and replace bridges in the state. (Click here.) This is in response to the collapse of the interstate highway bridge collapse in Minneapolis, MN last week. The Governor had requested $40 million in bonding in here initial budget. The legislation is awaiting approval by the General Assembly in a special session which is not yet scheduled.