Stamford To Receive State Transportation, Accessibility Grant

STAMFORD, CT — Governor Ned Lamont announced Friday the state is awarding $5 million in funding to 10 towns and cities across the state, including Stamford, under a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Transportation for projects that support improved mobility and accessibility, as well as pedestrian and bicycle safety.

According to a news release, the Community Connectivity Grant Program provides construction funding for local initiatives that will improve safety and accessibility for bicyclists and pedestrians in and around community centers, encouraging more people to use these healthy and environmentally sustainable modes of travel.

The grant program also facilitates social and economic opportunities for underserved communities by providing equitable levels of access to safe and affordable transportation.

The grants approved under this round include $600,000 for the Lower Summer Street Promenade in Stamford. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"Improving our transportation infrastructure with projects like these is important to ensuring that all of our residents have equitable and safe access to get to their schools, their work, and can support our state’s small businesses," Lamont said in a news release. "That is why it is critical that we continue to make smart investments that will further enhance our state’s quality of life. These projects will not only make our neighborhoods safer, but will support the growth of the economy while also becoming more pedestrian-friendly and more environmentally-conscious."

Funding for the program was approved by the State Bond Commission on July 21. The following month, the Connecticut Department of Transportation opened a grant application process for municipalities.

"Improvements made under this program not only make Connecticut’s community centers more attractive and vibrant places to live and work, but they also help improve our environment and air quality while promoting equitable access to transportation," state Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti said in a release. "With Governor Lamont's commitment to the Transportation Climate Initiative Program, we will be able to continue to invest in projects like these all across our state."

Other grants approved under this round include:

• Bristol: Safe and Accessible Bristol, ADA Sidewalk Ramp Upgrades ($439,405)
• Groton: Trolley Trail Extension ($344,705)
• Meriden: Coe Avenue School Route/Urban Trail Section Phase II ($600,000)
• New Britain: BeeLine Trail, Phase II ($600,000)
• Old Saybrook: Elm Street and Boston Post Road Sidewalks ($596,413)
• Portland: Fill-in-the-Gaps to Route 17/66; Safe Sidewalks to Schools, Businesses & Transit Routes ($525,775)
• Waterbury: West Main Street Sidewalks ($459,817)
• West Hartford: Accessible Pedestrian Signal Upgrades ($233,200)
• Windsor: Windsor Meadows State Park Shared Use Path ($500,000)

Municipalities that have been selected to receive grants will be expected to complete the project within three years. More than $30 million in state funding has been invested in Connecticut’s towns and cities under the program during the past three years.

Further information on the Community Connectivity Program can be found at ctconnectivity.com.