Stamford awarded $2 million for new, upgraded sidewalks

STAMFORD — The city of Stamford is in line to receive $2 million in federal funds to help build and upgrade sidewalks.

The announcement was made Friday by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., Mayor Caroline Simmons and other officials at Newfield Elementary School. It aligns with Simmons’ promises when she was running for mayor and nearly $2 million set aside in her first budget to improve sidewalks.

The federal money, designed to help fund pedestrian safety projects near schools and transit facilities, was included in the 2022 community requests through the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.

“Modernizing our infrastructure requires making every community safe and accessible to pedestrians, drivers and those who rely on public transit,” Himes said. “This substantial investment will ensure that Stamford’s students can safely walk to school and commuters can safely access rail or bus stops. By promoting pedestrian activity and increasing access to public transit, I’m optimistic that our community is moving toward a greener, cleaner transportation network.”

Stamford ranks among the top five Connecticut municipalities with the most reported pedestrian involved traffic incidents, according to Connecticut’s Pedestrian Safety Guide. In 2019, seven pedestrians were killed by vehicles, the data shows.

A comprehensive sidewalk improvement plan, along with implementing safer roadway design, was shown to be a top priority in the state’s Comprehensive Pedestrian Safety Strategy.

“One of my administration’s top priorities is working with our state and federal delegations in order to secure more funding for Stamford’s infrastructure,” Simmons said.

Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti said the Department of Transportation“strongly supports efforts to provide safe and accessible crosswalks and sidewalks across Connecticut for all who use them.

“This critical investment will enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety, reducing tragic fatalities on our roadways, while better connecting residents to and across their communities,” he said.