The state of Connecticut has been making significant investments in road and pedestrian infrastructure over the last year or so and a new round of investments is aimed at improving safety and connectivity in 17 communities throughout the state. With these major investments, the hope is that the communities receiving the grants will see a decline in Connecticut car accidents that involve pedestrians and bicyclists among whom the state has seen a dramatic uptick in accidents over the past few years.
Through the Community Connectivity Grant Program the state is allocating $11.7 million for projects in 17 communities throughout Connecticut. The grant has been providing resources to a number of communities throughout the state in the previous four rounds of funding and now these projects are on the list. It is expected that more rounds of funding will be announced this year and beyond to fund even more safety and connectivity projects throughout the state.
Some of the highlights of the new round of funding include the following cities and projects that should be completed within the next three years.\
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A $780,000 investment will be made in the city of Berlin to fund the Kensington Transit Oriented Development sidewalk project.
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Nearly $800,000 has been set aside for the city of Bristol to address improvements for handicap ramps in various locations throughout the city.
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Bridgeport will see an investment of nearly $800,000 to make improvements to align locations in the East Side with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA.)
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Just under $700,000 will be allocated to the city of New Haven to make pedestrian improvements in the Wintergreen Area.
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An even $800,000 will be spent in Stamford to tackle the Belltown Neighborhood Connectivity and Safety Project.
Other communities that are slated to receive investments from the Community Connectivity Grant Program include Branford, Canton, East Granby, East Hampton, Manchester, New Britain, Norwalk, Plainfield, Shelton, South Windsor, Waterbury and Wolcott. All of the programs listed above and those that have been completed to date are designed to align with the program’s goal of making safer and more accommodating conditions for pedestrians, those that ride bicycles through our cities and drivers to keep everyone safe. The program is designed to fund targeted programs that will make cities and towns throughout the state more enticing for people to utilize healthy and more environmentally sustainable modes of transportation.
Pedestrian safety has been a focus of the state of Connecticut for the past couple of years as pedestrian deaths from Connecticut car accidents are significantly on the rise and while it is not the stated purpose for these grants, it is expected that this targeted approach to community safety will have an impact on the spiking accident and fatality numbers. Given the dramatic increase in these types of accidents every little bit of investment and municipal improvement will be welcome to avert tragedies in the future.
Whether your town or city is on the list to get program money to make improvements, there are so many areas that need to be improved throughout the state. You may find yourself in a situation where you have been injured and in need of someone who has experience to help guide you through the process of addressing your situation. Our experienced attorneys have worked on many situations and some may mirror yours. Contact our office and one of our attorneys will review your situation and work with you to help protect your long-term interests.
