Mystic - What if tourists arriving here were able to park their cars at a transportation center where they could board a trolley shuttle or water taxi to get to Olde Mistick Village, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport and the downtown? There would be bike paths and sidewalks for those who wish to bike or walk and signs that would point them in the right direction. Traffic congestion along Route 27 and in the downtown would be alleviated and residents would not be frustrated trying to find a downtown parking spot.

There would be bike paths and sidewalks for those who wish to bike or walk and signs that would point them in the right direction. Traffic congestion along Route 27 and in the downtown would be alleviated and residents would not be frustrated trying to find a downtown parking spot.These are some of the goals as Stonington officials, in cooperation with those from the Town of Groton and a number of other entities, have begun work on a federally funded $495,000 transportation study of the Mystic area. The in-depth study being done by a team of consultants will make a series of recommendations and come up with cost estimates to address problems such as traffic congestion and parking.

These are some of the goals as Stonington officials, in cooperation with those from the Town of Groton and a number of other entities, have begun work on a federally funded $495,000 transportation study of the Mystic area. The in-depth study being done by a team of consultants will make a series of recommendations and come up with cost estimates to address problems such as traffic congestion and parking. The Mystic Mobility Study will look for ways from a transportation standpoint to seamlessly link the Golden Triangle area with Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium and the downtown. The study is slated for completion in February of 2011.

The Mystic Mobility Study will look for ways from a transportation standpoint to seamlessly link the Golden Triangle area with Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium and the downtown. The study is slated for completion in February of 2011.But before that can happen those who are part of the study, such as Stonington Director of Planning Bill Haase, are looking for input from residents.

But before that can happen those who are part of the study, such as Stonington Director of Planning Bill Haase, are looking for input from residents."For this to work there has to be community buy in," he said. "We need to have a lot of public participation."

"For this to work there has to be community buy in," he said. "We need to have a lot of public participation."An extensive Web site has been set up at www.mysticmobility.org. The site explains the project and its background, answers questions, and offers ways to contact study members.

An extensive Web site has been set up at www.mysticmobility.org. The site explains the project and its background, answers questions, and offers ways to contact study members.In the Background section, the Web site states the Golden Triangle area is emblematic of 20th-century automobile-oriented development, with wide, speed-inducing streets, large parking lots and drive-through restaurants, which is not reflective of what people come to Mystic to see. In addition, it states the attractions are not visibly connected to the village of Mystic or the towns of Stonington and Groton.

In the Background section, the Web site states the Golden Triangle area is emblematic of 20th-century automobile-oriented development, with wide, speed-inducing streets, large parking lots and drive-through restaurants, which is not reflective of what people come to Mystic to see. In addition, it states the attractions are not visibly connected to the village of Mystic or the towns of Stonington and Groton. "This study will address the question: "Can the commercial area around Exit 90 be remade as a walkable district with transit and water transport that will not only serve as a welcome center but also as a sustainable place centered on tourism and mobility?"

"This study will address the question: "Can the commercial area around Exit 90 be remade as a walkable district with transit and water transport that will not only serve as a welcome center but also as a sustainable place centered on tourism and mobility?" The Web site states the planning team and its consultants, which is being led by the URS Corp. of Rocky Hill, will envision how to make Mystic a walking destination.

The Web site states the planning team and its consultants, which is being led by the URS Corp. of Rocky Hill, will envision how to make Mystic a walking destination."The key objective is to develop transportation choices that enable tourists to enjoy a seamless and satisfying experience when visiting Mystic. Over 4,000,000 tourists visit Mystic every year, mostly from Memorial Day through Labor Day, adding to roadway congestion and parking demands for the 58,000 residents of Groton and Stonington that rely on Mystic for shopping, services and employment," states the Web site.

"The key objective is to develop transportation choices that enable tourists to enjoy a seamless and satisfying experience when visiting Mystic. Over 4,000,000 tourists visit Mystic every year, mostly from Memorial Day through Labor Day, adding to roadway congestion and parking demands for the 58,000 residents of Groton and Stonington that rely on Mystic for shopping, services and employment," states the Web site.Before beginning this study, the town completed the $50,000 federally funded Mystic Multimodal Transportation Study which Haase said took a "broad brush" look at the issue.

Before beginning this study, the town completed the $50,000 federally funded Mystic Multimodal Transportation Study which Haase said took a "broad brush" look at the issue. It recommended improvements such as a transportation center, trolley and water shuttles, way finding signage and intersection improvements to promote traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

It recommended improvements such as a transportation center, trolley and water shuttles, way finding signage and intersection improvements to promote traffic flow and pedestrian safety.Haase said the new study will look at these items and others in much greater detail. For example, the new study would look at the cost and size of a transportation center as well as potential sites, operating costs and funding.

Haase said the new study will look at these items and others in much greater detail. For example, the new study would look at the cost and size of a transportation center as well as potential sites, operating costs and funding. "In this time of fiscal crisis the towns wouldn't be able to pay for it," he said, adding that it may be some thing that would have to be funded by the state.

"In this time of fiscal crisis the towns wouldn't be able to pay for it," he said, adding that it may be some thing that would have to be funded by the state.Haase said that while shuttles have been tried in the past and not been successful, they would be looked at again.

Haase said that while shuttles have been tried in the past and not been successful, they would be looked at again."We need to get it right," he said, adding that details such as the wait times for shuttles have to be brief so people don't decide to get back in their cars.

"We need to get it right," he said, adding that details such as the wait times for shuttles have to be brief so people don't decide to get back in their cars.Haase said the study will also look at how to market and brand the transportation improvements so people know about them before they arrive.

Haase said the study will also look at how to market and brand the transportation improvements so people know about them before they arrive.There will be three public meetings to gather input at key milestones in the process. The first one is expected to be held sometime next month. Dates will be announced on the Web site.

There will be three public meetings to gather input at key milestones in the process. The first one is expected to be held sometime next month. Dates will be announced on the Web site.Haase said the town of Stonington has $2.2 million in federal funds to make transportation improvements but it can not spend the money until it completes the study.

Haase said the town of Stonington has $2.2 million in federal funds to make transportation improvements but it can not spend the money until it completes the study.The Web site states that some of the eventual recommendations could be implemented quickly while others will need detailed environmental and engineering studies along with funding.

The Web site states that some of the eventual recommendations could be implemented quickly while others will need detailed environmental and engineering studies along with funding.

Mobility study:

Information is available at www.mysticmobility.org or by contacting Bill Haase at 860-553-5095 or whaase@stoningtonct.gov or Stuart Popper at 860-529-8882, Ext.

242 or stuart_popper@urs.corp.com