Press Releases
08/08/2022
LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ, FAIRFIELD ELECTED AND TOWN OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE GRANT-IN-AID FOR ROADWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
(FAIRFIELD, CT) – Today, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Fairfield elected and town officials announced a total of $3.75 million in state bonding dollars for bike and pedestrian safety improvements throughout the town of Fairfield.
A total of $1.75 million will be allocated to bike and pedestrian safety improvements on Route 130 between Shoreham Village Road and the Post Road Circle. Another $2 million will be allocated for pedestrian safety and ADA improvements to the intersections at Churchill Road and Wilson Street, and Route 59 and Churchill Road in Stratfield.
“In order to maintain and improve Connecticut’s quality of life, we need to prioritize and protect our resident’s health and safety,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “These dollars will go towards protecting those residents who bike or walk through these very busy areas in town every day. The much-needed safety improvements are important for both neighbors and businesses, and this funding to address these concerns will bring new life to these areas in the Fairfield community.”
The Town of Fairfield recognizes the need to encourage walking and biking for transportation, recreation, exercise and quality of life. Walking and biking conserve energy, improve air quality, reduce traffic and the need for parking, improve health and fitness, and invigorate the local economy through increased access to local businesses and greater potential for tourism.
These community-wide benefits will be achieved through institutional, planning, enforcement, education and infrastructure actions.
“Pedestrian, bicycle, and ADA safety were some of the first issues I worked on as an elected leader, so securing critical funding on the bonding agenda to make our community's roadways safer is a welcome reminder that there remains plenty of work to be done,” said State Representative Cristin McCarthy-Vahey. “With four schools and a senior living facility in this neighborhood corridor, this project will ensure that students, families, and seniors will all have safe pedestrian access to the community. I want to thank the Governor's Office and Bonding Subcommittee for recognizing the need for this funding and placing it on the agenda.”
“Providing safe and accessible roadways to all who use them in our community is a baseline necessity,” said State Representative Jennifer Leeper. “I am thankful and proud to have worked collaboratively with Governor Lamont's Office and the Bonding Subcommittee House Chair, Representative Dorinda Borer, to secure this vital funding on the agenda to make our community safer for everyone. In addition to increased safety, the improvements to be made with this anticipated funding will also increase connectivity between the Post Rd traffic circle and the neighborhoods and businesses along Rt. 130. This work is important for neighbors and businesses alike, and I’m excited for the benefits this funding brings to our community."
“With the action taken by the State Bond Commission, we are another step closer to making our local road and intersection safer,” said State Senator Tony Hwang. “The intersection of Kings Highway Cutoff & Post Rd (Route 130) will ease traffic congestion & increase safety. The Stratfield community’s Churchill Road & Wilson Street intersection in addition to previous bonding for the intersection of Stratfield Road (State Route 59 & Fairfield Woods Road) will greatly enhance both traffic & pedestrian/bike safety. We are fortunate in Fairfield to have a responsive Stratfield Village Association and the Fairfield Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee, both of whom advocate to ease the challenges that people face using various modes of transportation in town.”
‘‘I want to thank the Governor and the State Bond Commission for allocating these critical state funds. These dollars are value-add investments for the town of Fairfield, that will improve our public safety and support local economic development. I have always advocated for improvements across our community and will continue to always look out for those I represent,” said State Rep. Laura Devlin, a member of the Transportation and Finance Revenue and Bonding committees, who has a been a vocal proponent for pedestrian safety across the state.
For more information on how to stay safe as a biker or pedestrian on the roads, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/Commissions/Share-the-Road-CT/Share-the-Road-CT.
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For Immediate Release: Monday, August 8, 2022
Contact: Chelsea Neelon