Greenwich Receives Funds To Improve Route 1 Traffic Signals

GREENWICH, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced earlier this week that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has awarded $24 million in federal funds to 10 transportation projects around the state aimed at improving air quality in Connecticut.

Included in that funding is $4 million for Greenwich, which will be used to install adaptive signal control technology on 29 traffic signals within the town boundary from Port Chester, N.Y. to Stamford on Route 1. The project will also instal audible pedestrian signal hardware

Modernized traffic signals use real-time traffic information to adjust to changing traffic patterns, which reduces unnecessary idling at traffic lights.

Greenwich Department of Public Works Deputy Commissioner James Michel said the improvements should improve traffic flow, pedestrian safety and reduce congestion along the Route 1 corridor in Greenwich. Michel told Patch the department was "very excited" to hear that the town was included in this round of funding.

"The town will start working with the state to determine the next steps to get the project into design in the coming months," Michel said.

The money, which is part of the Federal Highway Administration's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program, invests in local, cost effective projects that will reduce vehicle exhaust emissions in areas of the state that do not attain national air quality standards.

Other projects around the state involve installing more electric vehicle charging stations, and improving traffic flow.

"These strategic investments will not only help eliminate traffic bottlenecks in certain communities and buildout electric vehicle chargers in others, but they will also help move Connecticut towards cleaner air and a cleaner transportation system," Lamont said in a news release this week. "Technology in transportation can help unlock climate solutions for our state. By reducing air pollution in communities most impacted by its harmful effects, we can better deliver transportation equity and ultimately, better health outcomes for the people of Connecticut."

CTDOT COmmissioner Joseph Giulietti said the funds help confront climate change.

"These projects represent the future. We remain committed to using technology and innovative solutions to have a cleaner, more equitable, and resilient transportation system for all people across Connecticut," Giulietti said.

According to Connecticut Department of Energy and Environment Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes, the state's transportation sector is responsible for over 67 percent of smog-forming air pollution in Connecticut.

"The interest we’ve seen in these projects show that municipalities in our state are eager to implement projects that support our transition to a clean transportation future," Dykes said.

CTDOT solicits municipal projects for the federal CMAQ program through the state’s metropolitan planning organizations and rural councils of governments, and awards funding based on project eligibility.