Stratford ‘Complete Streets’ Project Gets State Funding Boost

STRATFORD, CT — (Contributed): The Town of Stratford’s Complete Streets plan to transform some local roads into corridors for a wide range of safe, active travel got a big boost in mid-September when the state Department of Transportation approved $6.47 million to fund construction of improvements on Main Street between Barnum Avenue and Paradise Green. Main Street in this area is State Route 113.

The funding from the state’s Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program came in response to an application produced jointly by the town and the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG), the regional planning organization that serves six towns including Stratford.

The Barnum Avenue to Paradise Green project is part of the town’s multi-phased Complete Streets plan that covers Main Street from Stratford Avenue to Paradise Green; Ferry Boulevard to The Dock Shopping Center; and Nichols Avenue from Barnum Avenue to Wooster Middle School. The $6.47 million funds the first phase of construction of the town’s plan. Design costs of over $250,000 for this phase were provided by the town’s Capital Improvement Plan.

Additional state funding is anticipated soon to provide for Complete Streets construction on Main Street between Harvey Place at St. James Church and Barnum Avenue.

“Moving our Complete Streets plan to a new phase of construction on Main Street is an exciting step for our community,” Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick said. “I am grateful to the state DOT for supporting this project, to MetroCOG for their carefully detailed application to the state, and to our Town Planner and Town Engineer who have created the plans, which are not simple, especially when done on state roads. I look forward to seeing bustling activity with more pedestrians and bicyclists safely sharing the road with automobiles.”

Stratford’s Complete Streets Plan is being applied to transform streets into safeways for bicycles, pedestrians and motor vehicles; beautify the public realm; connect residents and visitors to major destinations; provide accessibility for users of all ages and abilities; and, bolster Stratford Center and other business districts, according to Town Planner Susmitha Attota.

Features include bicycle lanes and “Share the Road” signs; safety measures for pedestrians; traffic calming devices; streetscape enhancements; encouraging off-street parking; managing ingress and egress at commercial driveways; and adding bus service amenities.