Connecticut Congressional Delegation Announces $6.6 Million for Traffic & Road Safety Improvements & Studies

[HARTFORD, CT] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (D-CT), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) announced $6.6 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support eight traffic safety projects across Connecticut.

The funds are awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program established to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

“This unprecedented investment will make Connecticut’s roadways safer for all, particularly walkers, cyclists as well as motorists. More people are dying on Connecticut’s roadways than ever before, and this $6.6 million in federal funding will help towns plan and make serious safety improvements to prevent these senseless tragedies,” said Sen. Blumenthal.

“I every year spend a week walking across the state from one end to the other, and so I get to see firsthand how many roads in our state are unsafe for pedestrians. This $6.6 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help towns across the state implement evidence-based solutions to save lives and make their streets safer for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers,” said Sen. Murphy.

"This federal funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is allowing us to support the City of Middletown’s efforts to assure safer, more accessible and inclusive transportation for pedestrians and cyclists across the city”, said Rep. DeLauro. “This is an investment that will work to eliminate serious and fatal accidents along Middletown’s four main corridors which comprise over 12 miles of roadway and provide primary access to and through Middletown from all four directions. These federal dollars will accommodate and encourage safe multi-modal methods of transportation, and better serve residents - such as children, the elderly, persons with mobility issues, and people living below the poverty line - that rely on methods of transportations other than cars.”

“Traffic and pedestrian safety have unfortunately become a more pressing issue in the past several years, not just in our region, but nationwide. Increased economic activity brings all sorts of new jobs and career opportunities for people in our region, but it also means we may need to re-think local traffic safety plans as our thoroughfares see greater use. This additional round of federal infrastructure funding is going to kick-start efforts in both Glastonbury and across southeastern Connecticut to improve traffic and pedestrian safety in towns throughout eastern Connecticut, and it’s another great example of how the IIJA is paying dividends in eastern CT,” said Rep. Courtney.

“This is an important investment in eliminating traffic deaths and improving the walkability of our communities. Everyone should feel safe on our streets, whether you are walking, biking or traveling in an automobile. I’m grateful that the City of Hartford and the towns of Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Middletown, and Glastonbury are receiving federal funding to help address the nationwide rise in traffic deaths. Thanks to the Biden Administration and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Connecticut roads will be safer for everyone who uses them,” said Rep. Larson.

“Miles from my home, people are dying in avoidable traffic accidents because of dangerous intersections and lack of proper signage or traffic markers. That’s why we urgently need the millions of dollars in federal funding headed to our streets and roadways. This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will mean greater safety for everyone in our communities, from school children in the morning and commuters in the evening to bicyclists on their weekend ride,” said Rep. Jim Himes.

“Connecticut commuters were on my mind when I voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Our state will receive over $6 million in funding from the federal Safe Streets for All program to support eight traffic projects. In the Fifth, Danbury will receive a $400,000 Comprehensive Safety Action Plan Grant to outline a path forward for improved commutes. I look forward to working with state and local leaders to make Connecticut roads safe for all commuters,” said Rep. Hayes.

• $140,000 for the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments for a regional transportation safety plan
• $624,800 for Wethersfield and Rocky Hill for a Silas Deane Highway Corridor Study in Wethersfield and Rocky Hill, Connecticut
• $408,000 for the City of Hartford for sidewalk inventory and safety planning
• $720,000 for the Middletown CT Comprehensive Traffic Safety Plan
• $400,000 for the City of Danbury, Comprehensive Safety Action Plan Grant
• $320,000 for the Town of Ridgefield Comprehensive Safety Action Plan Grant
• $3,959,346 for the Western Connecticut Council of Governments for Safety Improvements including new crosswalks, curb extensions, bus stops and speed reduction efforts
• $96,000 for the Glastonbury Connecticut Community Road Safety Action Plan

The SS4A program supports the Department of Transportation’s goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways. This comes at a time where traffic fatalities are at the highest level in decades.

In June 2023, Blumenthal reintroduced the Road to Zero resolution to reduce traffic fatalities and improve roadway safety for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others on the road. Introduction of the resolution follows yesterday’s announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that over 9,000 people died in traffic crashes during the first three months of 2023. By improving data collection and promoting access to safe, reliable transportation, the Road to Zero resolution aims to end roadway fatalities by 2050.

Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for Americans under 54, killing over 100 people every day.

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