Fairfield's McKinley School Receives State Grant For Sidewalk Project

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield is one of 17 Connecticut communities to share in a $12 million state grant program designed to improve transportation accessibility and safety, Gov. Ned Lamont announced last week.

The grants are being awarded through the state Department of Transportation's Community Connectivity Grant Program, and Fairfield is receiving $681,900 for a sidewalk improvement project that will provide greater safety for students walking to McKinley Elementary School.

Under the effort, the goal is to create a safe walking path to the school, as well as encouraging fitness, and provide safer walking paths to the Tunxis Hill Bus Shelter.

"We know that adding sidewalks can slow traffic, reducing motor vehicle-related injuries," Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber wrote in the latest Town Update. "Studies show that people who report they have a place to walk are significantly more likely to meet recommendations for physical fitness."

The following streets in Fairfield are slated to receive sidewalk improvements under the project:

• Cardinal Street
• Lenox Street
• Thompson Street
• Knapps Highway (East and West sides)
• Pope Street
• Tunxis Hill Bus Shelter

Among the other communities receiving grants under the program are New Canaan, Greenwich, Southbury, East Haven, Madison and Guilford.

"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," said Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. "Thank you to Governor Lamont and the General Assembly for supporting these important capital improvements across the state."