As part of federal efforts to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion across the state, Fairfield County will receive more than half of a statewide $20 million federal grant to bolster the state”™s infrastructure.
“These grants combine two of the most critical issues of our time: transportation and the environment,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in a statement announcing the grant recipients.
“Growing and modernizing our transportation system in a way that’s beneficial to air quality is absolutely critical,” he said.
Throughout Connecticut, ten municipalities and three transit districts will share the $20 million grant awarded under the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.
To qualify, municipalities must demonstrate that their projects will result in reduced vehicle exhaust emissions and, at the same time, be cost effective.
According to the Governor”™s office, the transit projects will assist in retaining current transit users and attract new ones by providing additional bus routes in heavily traveled corridors along with improved real-time passenger information signage at major hub locations ”” resulting in less personal automotive use.
The three largest grant allotments are of $3 million each and will go to support projects in Bridgeport, New Britain and Stamford.
In Bridgeport and Stamford the funds will be used to upgrade traffic signals along several avenues and streets.
Greenwich and Norwalk will also use $2 million and $2.5 million, respectively to improve traffic signals as well as roadway weather sensors and signage to improve traffic flow in Norwalk.
Nearly $400,000 in funds will be shared between the Greater Bridgeport and Housatonic Area Regional transit systems to purchase real-time bus passenger information signage at major hub locations in Bridgeport and fund the creation of a bus route in Western Danbury.
“We must keep working to provide a best-in-class transportation system,” said Malloy. “The future of our state hinges on it.”
