Complete Streets projects win national recognition

PORTLAND — The town was awarded for its Complete Streets achievements from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

This National Roadway Safety Award recognizes the town’s sidewalk replacement program, road improvements, digital speed sign installation, bicycle routes and the Air Line Trail, according to a news release.

The Jonah Center of Middletown said in a press release it played a role in all of these developments — in the formation of the Air Line Trail Steering Committee and Complete Streets Group in 2014, as well as by urging the town to take advantage of a state-sponsored road safety audit that qualified the town for two state DOT Community Connectivity grants.

Founder John Hall and former Jonah Center Board of Directors member Bob Herron co-chaired the Sidewalk Committee. Portland citizens and town officials have been very supportive and resourceful in support of these initiatives, Hall said.

The Jonah Center / Contributed photo The U.S. Department of Transportation gave the Portland’s Complete Streets Committee a National Roadway Safety award.