New London - The city has trains, boats, buses and taxis all converging on the waterfront, separated from the rest of downtown by two lanes of one-way traffic heading out of town.The question is ... how do you get travelers safely across traffic and lure them into town?

The question is ... how do you get travelers safely across traffic and lure them into town?The answer may lie somewhere in the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center Master Plan and Efficiency Study.

The answer may lie somewhere in the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center Master Plan and Efficiency Study.On Thursday, the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments presented the plan to about 35 people at the Public Library. The recommendations had already been made public in December to a steering committee working on the plan.

On Thursday, the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments presented the plan to about 35 people at the Public Library. The recommendations had already been made public in December to a steering committee working on the plan.Could a glass-encased pedestrian bridge with about 70 steps, a couple elevators and possibly an escalator stretching over the railroad tracks from the Water Street Parking Garage help?

Could a glass-encased pedestrian bridge with about 70 steps, a couple elevators and possibly an escalator stretching over the railroad tracks from the Water Street Parking Garage help? Some day, might additions connecting pedestrians to the loading docks of the Cross Sound Ferry and activities at City Pier and the Fishers Island Ferry help?

Some day, might additions connecting pedestrians to the loading docks of the Cross Sound Ferry and activities at City Pier and the Fishers Island Ferry help?Would building a new bus station, widening Water Street and adding sidewalks help?

Would building a new bus station, widening Water Street and adding sidewalks help?"We came up with a plan to make travel in and out of New London better,'' said James Butler, executive director of COG, which is administering the $690,000 study with funding from the state Department of Transportation.

"We came up with a plan to make travel in and out of New London better,'' said James Butler, executive director of COG, which is administering the $690,000 study with funding from the state Department of Transportation.Some of the suggestions made by TranSystems, the consultant hired to do the study, include the glass-enclosed pedestrian bridge; building a new bus terminal; relocating Water Street and adding signs to help travelers.

Some of the suggestions made by TranSystems, the consultant hired to do the study, include the glass-enclosed pedestrian bridge; building a new bus terminal; relocating Water Street and adding signs to help travelers.The study documents a price tag for the potential changes ranging from $4 million to $26 million, not including property acquisition.

The study documents a price tag for the potential changes ranging from $4 million to $26 million, not including property acquisition.Those attending the meeting were divided on the presentation. Some wanted to know what accommodations were being made for bicyclists. Others wondered how a walkway from the trains and ferries to the parking garage would bring more foot traffic into town.

Those attending the meeting were divided on the presentation. Some wanted to know what accommodations were being made for bicyclists. Others wondered how a walkway from the trains and ferries to the parking garage would bring more foot traffic into town. Some praised the recommendation to build sidewalks on Water Street to accommodate those from the north end of the city who walk to SEAT buses.

Some praised the recommendation to build sidewalks on Water Street to accommodate those from the north end of the city who walk to SEAT buses."Some wonderful work has been done here. Now we have to move forward,'' said Sandra Chalk, executive director of New London Landmarks.

"Some wonderful work has been done here. Now we have to move forward,'' said Sandra Chalk, executive director of New London Landmarks.And there were those who had questions.

And there were those who had questions."We have concerns about the pedestrian bridge,'' said Barbara Hample, a member of the group called LOT, for Lower Our Taxes. She questioned the practicality of such a walkway and doubted people would use it. She also asked who would pay for security and maintenance once its built.

"We have concerns about the pedestrian bridge,'' said Barbara Hample, a member of the group called LOT, for Lower Our Taxes. She questioned the practicality of such a walkway and doubted people would use it. She also asked who would pay for security and maintenance once its built."We are not in favor of it,'' she said.

"We are not in favor of it,'' she said.Butler told her the study includes hundreds of recommendations that may or may not be implemented.

Butler told her the study includes hundreds of recommendations that may or may not be implemented."It's like a menu,'' he said. "You're all the diners. We're telling you what's good. But you can pick and choose anything off the menu."

"It's like a menu,'' he said. "You're all the diners. We're telling you what's good. But you can pick and choose anything off the menu."After the two-hour meeting, State Rep. Ernest Hewett, D-New London, said he liked the plans that were presented.

After the two-hour meeting, State Rep. Ernest Hewett, D-New London, said he liked the plans that were presented."From what I've seen here tonight, the pedestrian bridge looks good,'' he said. "If was easy it wouldn't have been done already.''

"From what I've seen here tonight, the pedestrian bridge looks good,'' he said. "If was easy it wouldn't have been done already.''The consultants will make a presentation to the members of COG at the Jan. 19 meeting. A written copy of the study is expected to be completed within the next few months.

The consultants will make a presentation to the members of COG at the Jan. 19 meeting. A written copy of the study is expected to be completed within the next few months.k.edgecomb@theday.com

k.edgecomb@theday.com