Madison Officials Laud $800K Community Connectivity Grant

MADISON, CT — Madison officials are lauding the $800,000 Communitiy Connectivity grant awarded to the town by the CT DEpartment of Transportation.

The Community Connectivity Grant Program provides funding to municipalities to enhance facilities for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users in urban, suburban, and rural community centers.

The grant will be used for improvements to Scotland Avenue in Madison. This includes providing pedestrian safety and accessibility for the surrounding neighborhoods to the downtown center, public transportation facilities, and a town athletic facility. The project includes the addition of sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, guide rails, and traffic signage, as well as drainage enhancements and paving, the town said in a news release.

"We are so grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Department of Transportation for providing these critical funds to our Town to make important roadway improvements and create a more cohesive and connected downtown community through sidewalk expansions," First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said in a news release. "This project will make Madison's economic center more easily accessible to many residents and provide greater connectivity for those visiting our community by bike, train, car, or bus."

State Sen. Christine Cohen (D-12) said the grant program is "a great example" of using tax dollars to benefit the community.

"By making our towns safer and more accommodating for modes of transportation like walking or biking, we can encourage our communities to get outside, move their bodies and not rely on single-use motor vehicle transportation for activities like grocery shopping or dropping their kids off at school," Cohen said in a news release. "This initiative helps foster walkable neighborhoods which increases our connection to our neighbors and I am thrilled to see this funding in the 12th District and am grateful to First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons for her vision and leadership, and to Governor Lamont and Commissioner Eucalitto for their partnership!"

State Rep. John-Michael Parker (D-101) said the grant represents the town government's commitment to making Madison sage, accessible and vibrant.

"This is what happens when our state and local officials work together to serve the needs of all of our residents!" he said in a news release. "I'm thankful to Governor Lamont for his partnership, and to First Selectwoman Lyons and her staff for their leadership."

Nearby, Guilford received $739,765 from the same grant program to expand sidewalks on the Post Road to the Madison town line.