The Connecticut Department of Transportation is awarding $8.2 million in grants for local projects that support improved mobility and accessibility, as well as pedestrian and bicycle safety.
The funding will go to 17 towns and cities across Connecticut under a state-funded competitive grant program.
According to a press release from Gov. Lamont's office, 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 healthy and environmentally sustainable modes of travel.
“Connecticut’s commitment to improving safety and mobility for all continues to be strengthened with this new round of awards,” Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti said in a statement. “With 2021 being a record year for fatalities on our state’s and nation’s roadways, these investments are clearly needed. Not only will these investments improve safety, but they will continue efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our transportation sector and improve local air quality.”
Funding for the program was proposed by Gov. Lamont in the FY22-FY23 biennial budget, which the legislature supported in the final enacted budget. This round of funding was approved by the State Bond Commission at its most recent meeting in December.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation will also use a portion of funding to support local road safety audits to assist local governments in identifying ways to improve safety in specific community locations.
Municipalities that have been selected to receive grants will be expected to complete the project within three years.
With this fourth round of funding, 104 awards totaling more than $38 million will have been invested in Connecticut’s towns and cities under the program during the past four years.
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SOURCE: Office of Gov. Ned Lamont
