The State of Connecticut is awarding $12 million, collectively, to 17 cities and towns to improve the safety and mobility of pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users in community centers. The funding is part of the seventh round of awards for the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (DOT) “Community Connectivity” program.
“Connecting residents with their communities through these projects is vital to boosting economic development, creating dynamic town centers, and encouraging alternative modes of transportation like walking or biking,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a press statement. “Supporting this program improves the quality of life for towns and cities across the state.”
The municipalities receiving the grants are Ansonia, Berlin, Branford, Bristol, Brookfield, Chester, Manchester, Marlborough, New Haven, North Haven, Norwalk, Old Lyme, Plainfield, Salisbury, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor Locks.
Applications from cities and towns were scored using a rubric, with the proposed “public benefit impact,” connectivity with forms of transportation, projected budgets and a town’s “readiness to proceed” being factored, the program’s guidelines state.
Delegations from selected towns have announced their appreciation for the funding opportunity, like in Marlborough, which will be using the $348,224 grant to extend sidewalks in the town center’s green area near Route 66.
“Marlborough consistently ranks as one of the best communities to live in around Greater Hartford, so I’m pleased that with these new, extended sidewalks, [people will] be able to see more connectivity in the center of town,” said State Sen. Cathy Osten, whose District 19 includes Marlborough and eight other communities.
Some selected towns are using the funds to construct or improve bike lanes and trails. Manchester’s $800,000 award will be put toward the city’s “Downtown Manchester Improvements Project” through the construction of a “cycle track” alongside Main Street.
“Cycle tracks are intended to be exclusively used for bicycles. On streets where on-street parking is allowed, cycle tracks are located to the curbside of the parking — in contrast to bike lanes which are typically between parking and the travel lane,” the Manchester project’s narrative states. “While not the first cycle track in Connecticut, we believe this would be the first cycle track of its type in a downtown district.”
“This funding will enhance safety and accessibility for our community,” State Sen. MD Rahman said on social media. “I look forward to working with our local leaders to make these improvements a reality for everyone.”
The funding can only be used for towns’ construction plans that cost at least $100,000, but no more than $800,000, with an expectation that projects are completed within three years, according to the DOT. They also note that municipalities would be responsible for any expenses that exceed the grant cap and costs outside of construction activities, like property acquisition and public involvement activities.
“We remain focused on increasing safety and enhancing connectivity across Connecticut…helping towns and cities deliver important projects,” State Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said in a press statement. “We’re grateful to Governor Lamont and the General Assembly for their continued support of these efforts.”
Previous rounds of the program have awarded 155 grants totaling approximately $74 million, according to the DOT. The DOT also said that starting in 2023, a new solicitation process for the program will be announced every two years.
Previous projects funded by related DOT grant initiatives include ADA upgrades, multi-use pathways, landscaping and weatherproofing of sidewalks and other public facilities in cities and towns statewide.
For more information about the DOT’s “Community Connectivity” grant program, visit portal.ct.gov/ccgp.