Manchester Awarded State Bike, Pedestrian Safety Grant

HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Friday that 40 towns and cities across Connecticut will receive $12.4 million in funding under a competitive state grant program that seeks to support pedestrian and bicycle safety and improve accessibility within urban, suburban, and rural community centers where "people can meet for work, school, social, and recreational activities."

Manchester is in line for $163,800 to fund pedestrian safety enhancements in downtown Manchester (crosswalks, intersection improvements on Main Street and a connection between sections of State Route 83).

Administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Community Connectivity Grant Program seeks to make conditions safer for people of all ages to walk, bike, and take transit, thereby encouraging more people to use "healthy and environmentally sustainable modes of travel," Malloy said. At the same time, the improvements will make "Connecticut’s community centers more accessible places to live and work," Malloy said.

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis in a range between $75,000 and $400,000 based on applications that municipalities submitted to CTDOT. Municipalities were allowed to submit one application per community. State DOT staff reviewed, rated, and ranked each of the proposals.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

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