$3.44 million in federal funds for Connecticut traffic safety

US Representatives Jahana Hayes and Jim Himes joined Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy on May 17 to announce that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide millions of dollars to improve pedestrian and road safety in four cities across the state through the “Safe Streets and Roads for All” grant program run by the US Department of Transportation.

$2,538,400 will go to Bridgeport to aid in the drafting of its Complete & Safe Streets Design Manual and developing plans to implement it city-wide. Norwalk and Fairfield will receive $400,000 and $350,000 respectively for developing comprehensive action plans to improve pedestrian and road safety. Canton will also receive $160,000 for their own plan’s development.

“This $3.44 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding comes at a time of great urgency as tens of thousands of lives are lost on our nation’s roadways each year. These projects will transform road and pedestrian safety at the local level so that Connecticut’s motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists can feel safer on the roads. I am proud to fight for these investments and to lead my colleagues on the Road to Zero resolution to prevent senseless roadway tragedies from occurring,” said Blumenthal.

“When I walk across the state every year, I see firsthand how many roads are unsafe for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers. This $3.4 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will give Bridgeport, Canton, Fairfield, and Norwalk the federal dollars they need to implement evidence-based solutions that save lives and make our streets both safer and more walkable,” said Murphy.