Major Federal Funding Coming To WeHa For Street Safety

Local efforts to improve the accessibility and safety of its roadways received a major federal funding boost, officials announced last week.

Connecticut's Senate and Congressional delegations on Sept. 11 announced nearly $17 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support five traffic safety projects across Connecticut, including one project in West Hartford.

West Hartford is earmarked to receive $3,178,100 for its so-called "Vulnerable User Safety Program."

U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, who represents West Hartford, said the funds will help that town install safety measures such as crosswalks, bicycle lanes, and other traffic safety features throughout town.

“This year, we have tragically lost more than 200 drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, to accidents on Connecticut roads. We passed the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program to improve traffic safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries," Larson said in a statement.

"I am glad to see more than $3 million from this program coming to West Hartford to implement safety measures like sidewalks, bike lanes, flashing beacons, and expanded school zone speed limits. I remain committed to working with state and local partners to improve roadway safety for everyone."

West Hartford is currently amidst a massive study on traffic safety enhancements in the community via its "Vision Zero" pledge, which aims to have zero fatalities and serious injuries on local roadways by 2030.

The town's leadership embarked on the campaign after a particularly deadly 2022, when several were killed on West Hartford roadways, including five in separate incidents the last month of that year.

Earlier this year, the Connecticut government approved about $1 million in funding for West hartford for the initiative.

The federal funds, meanwhile, were awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program established to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

“This federal support will help stop catastrophic crashes on our roads and streets — one of the biggest, most preventable causes of death and injury. I am proud that this federal funding will support five major projects that will transform road and pedestrian safety so our residents are protected,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

“This $17 million will support major upgrades to roadways in New Haven and West Hartford with high crash rates, making some of our most dangerous roads much safer for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers," added U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

"Funding will also lay the groundwork for better public transportation and help local, regional, and Tribal communities develop action plans to target crash hot spots and reduce preventable deaths. This is all thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I look forward to seeing their impact on our state."