Stamford Bureau Chief Receives Leadership Award

STAMFORD, CT — The city of Stamford announced Monday that Jim Travers, the city's transportation, traffic and parking bureau chief, has received the Herbert S. Levinson Transportation Leadership Award from the Connecticut Chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

This award has historically been granted to Department of Transportation commissioners, elected officials and transportation advocates who have positively influenced transportation in Connecticut, according to a statement from the city. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"Jim Travers has proven he is a hardworking visionary, who is completely committed to the people of Stamford and advocates for their safety and transportation interests every day," Mayor David Martin said in a statement. "In addition to his unquestionable work ethic, Jim is also a joyous public servant who believes in transparency, open communications and public participation. Stamford is fortunate to have him."'

Nominations for this award are put forth by the president of the state chapter of the Institute for Transportation Engineers and voted on by the board. Nominees are individuals who have shown leadership, pursued innovative solutions and resolved difficult challenges in transportation.

Since joining the city of Stamford in 2017, Travers has pursued a variety of ambitious projects across Stamford. Some of these projects include the citywide traffic signal synchronization, road and sidewalk improvements to Oaklawn Avenue, the Boxers' Square intersection redesign, road improvements to Courtland Avenue, the Greenwich Avenue roundabout project and more.

In addition to traffic engineering projects, Travers has overseen the implementation of new bike lanes, improved signals for pedestrian safety and ADA-compliant crosswalks. In the past year, the city has seen a decrease in pedestrian accidents and fatalities, officials said.

"Jim pursues solutions that work, even if they’ve never done before in Stamford, or in Connecticut," Matthew Skelly, president of the state chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, said in a statement. "Jim has given Stamford’s transportation a clear identity. Resdients will reap the benefits of his contributions for decades to come."

Martin created the city's transportation, traffic and parking department in 2016. Travers was hired as bureau chief of the department in 2017.