Earlier this year, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) launched a $10 million project in order to make pedestrians safer at the Berlin Turnpike.
Expected to be done later this year, the project will upgrade the Berlin Turnpike, introducing crosswalks, push buttons, and upgraded traffic signals on 14 busy intersections along the Berlin Turnpike.
"What historically has happened is people will try to dart across or cross where they think it’s safe not even using an intersection," said Josh Morgan, spokesperson for CTDOT.
After a pedestrian was hit Wednesday night attempting to cross the road on the Berlin Turnpike, there is a clear need to upgrade the turnpike. That was the sixth pedestrian related accident this month in the area.
"Drivers are driving too fast or driving distracted. Unfortunately, they’re also driving impaired," said Morgan.
Aside from Wethersfield, there have been recent pedestrian-related incidents in Waterbury, New Haven, Bristol, Naugatuck, and New Milford.
Governor Lamont signed off on the pedestrian safety bill that went into effect last year.
Senator Will Haskell was one of the biggest advocates behind the bill. "Even one pedestrian fatality is too many. Our policy in Connecticut is going to aim for zero fatalities in the future. As a result, this vision-zero council is going to get together and look at what are the most problematic roads in our state. What are the causes of these accidents?" said Sen. Haskell.
CTDOT has a list of projects that they are pursuing around the state.
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Source: Fox61.com
