Gov. Ned Lamont announced the awarding of more than $12 million in grants to 17 towns and cities in the state for transportation accessibility and safety improvements.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford has been awarded $697,000 through the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Community Connectivity Grant Program, and Town Manager Rick Ledwith said the funds will be used to upgrade, replace, and/or install accessible sidewalk ramps throughout town with the goal of improving accessibility for all users – in particular those with mobility issues.

This is the sixth round of grants being awarded through this program, and more than $12 million has been awarded statewide, to 17 towns and cities, for a variety of initiatives intended to “make conditions safer, more accommodating, and equitable for pedestrians and bicyclists in urban, suburban, and rural centers,” according to an announcement from Gov. Ned Lamont’s office. Grant amounts ranged from $229,200 to $800,000.

West Hartford’s grant application noted the intent to use the funds to “focus on arterial and collector roadways and areas near high pedestrian generators such as schools or parks. In many locations, accessible sidewalk ramps already exist, but do not have a detectable warning tile. In these instances a surface mounted tile is proposed as a means to reduce cost by not removing and replacing concrete ramps that are otherwise in good condition. In other areas sidewalk ramps are bituminous, non-compliant with current standards, or do not exist. In these locations a full replacement/ install is proposed.”

Example of sidewalk with detectable warning tile. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Some of the proposed locations planned for improvements funded by the grant include: Asylum Avenue, Boulevard,  Farmington Avenue, Fern Street,Flagg Road, Kane Street, Mohawk Drive, Mohegan Drive, Mountain Road, New Park Avenue, North Main Street, North Quaker Lane, Oakwood Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Quaker Lane South, Ridgewood Road, South Highland Street, South Main Street, Talcott Road, Trout Brook Drive, and Tunxis Road.

According to the grant application, the town also plans to use the funds to “improve sidewalk facilities along Kane Street and Oakwood Avenue to support the recent service changes to CT Transit Route 153 which services a UConn Health Care facility on Kane Street. Improvements in this area would include bus stop pad and sidewalk extensions to access new bus stop locations.”

A section of bituminous sidewalk will also be installed along Flagg Road – in response to a request from nearby residents to eliminate a sidewalk gap and provide connectivity to Westmoor Park.

Ledwith said the planned improvements to sidewalk accessibility are in line with strategies contained in the transportation section of the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development – which encourages “transportation infrastructure improvements that improve the accessibility and safety for all users” in order to “enhance the economic strength of West Hartford while protecting its residential neighborhoods.” The project also supports the goals of the town’s Complete Streets Policy to “ensure our Town roadways complement and enhance the surrounding land use and neighborhood character and accommodate all users, including drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians and transit patrons, older residents, children and persons with mobility impairments.”

A sidewalk ramp at Crestwood Road and Webster Hill Boulevard, just a few blocks from Webster Hill Elementary School, has a ramp but no detectible warning tile. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

In a statement issued with the announcement of the grants on Tuesday, Lamont said, “Our main streets and community centers serve as vital social, economic, and transportation hubs. Improving local infrastructure for all users in community centers is a win for our whole state and opens the door to further economic growth.”

Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said in a statement: “From sidewalks and multi-use trails to ADA compliant ramps, these 17 projects focus on providing safety enhancements and mobility options to schools, jobs, public transit, and local economic centers.”

Since the inception of the CTDOT’s Community Connectivity Grant Program, 138 awards have been granted totaling more than $62 million. Eligible projects include construction activities ranging from $100,000 to $800,000 in value.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.