Connecticut DOT eyes crossing upgrades; South Carolina DOT installs new leader

The Connecticut Department of Transportation will host a public information meeting on June 16 in Wallingford to review proposed improvements to seven grade crossings.

Part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program, the project calls for installing crossing protection equipment and panels, and improving roadway approaches and traffic signals at crossings located on Hall Avenue, North Plains Road, Parker Street, Pent Highway, Quinnipiac Street, Toelles Road and Ward Street.
 
Construction is scheduled to begin late this year and conclude in late 2016. A Federal Railroad Administration grant and state dollars will fund the $2 million project.

Meanwhile, the South Carolina Senate recently confirmed Janet Oakley as the state's third secretary of transportation. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley nominated Oakley for the post on April 7.

Oakley has more than 30 years of federal transportation policy experience. She spent the past 15 years as director of policy and government relations for the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, where she worked with state DOTs to develop policies and coordinate initiatives.

Oakley previously was the founder and first executive director of the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and director of transportation and government affairs for the National Association of Regional Councils. In addition, she was a transportation planner at the Kentucky Department of Transportation and served as the assistant to the secretary for federal affairs in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Oakley's experience also includes stints at the American Trucking Associations, Federal Highway Administration and city of Rockville, Md.