Construction To Rebuild Sidewalk Begins On High Ridge Road

STAMFORD, CT — The Transportation, Traffic & Parking Department has started construction to rebuild a portion of the sidewalk on High Ridge Road near Cross Road.

"There was a sidewalk there already, but it wasn't even four feet wide. The minimum width is five feet, but we're trying to get six feet in where we can to allow people with strollers and wheelchairs to pass. We put in the ADA compliant curb ramps to get pedestrians down to the crosswalk safety and make the area up to today's standards," said Frank Petise, Acting Bureau Chief of Transportation for Stamford.

The project is part of a public/private partnership between the city and a developer. The sidewalk connects to other sidewalks and completed projects in the area to create a cohesive network.

"This was a nice compliment to some of the investments we've made in the neighborhood there. We're always looking for ways to increase pedestrian safety. Now that we have the new sidewalk connection on Oaklawn Avenue to get over to Belltown, it's nice to connect the whole sidewalk network together," Petise said, noting that these projects are important.

"We look to make roads and sidewalks safer for the most vulnerable users of the network, and that's the pedestrian. We do have a lot of traffic in Stamford, and we always say you can't solve a traffic problem if you don't give people alternate means to get places. By making things like these sidewalk connections, it gives people another way to get around," he said.

Mayor David Martin said he has "consistently prioritized pedestrian and street safety initiatives" to make Stamford roads safer.

"I am extremely grateful to our Transportation Bureau and their continued efforts to increase pedestrian safety and access for all residents," Martin added.

Petise said construction is expected to last two weeks.