WeHa's Dangerous Roads Topic Of Public Forum Tuesday

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Traffic and pedestrian accidents that have claimed several lives in West Hartford in recent months, especially, last December, are fueling an effort to make the town safer.

That's why the public is invited to participate in a 5-minute survey and attend a public meeting on Tuesday to help West Hartford’s Vision Zero Task Force identify roadways that have safety issues.

The first of two public meetings on West Hartford’s Vision Zero Action Plan is Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium, 50 South Main St.

There, residents can learn about the Town of West Hartford’s efforts to make its streets safer with the goal of eliminating all roadway fatalities and serious injuries within the next 10 years.

The public meeting includes a presentation and an opportunity to take the survey and offer comments. The Town’s Vision Zero webpage provides more information.

Information collected from residents will be key to developing the Vision Zero Action Plan that will serve as a guide for the next decade, according to the town.

"Vision Zero is premised on the fundamental principle that loss of life and serious injury from traffic crashes is unacceptable, yet acknowledges that while people make mistakes, the town’s roadway network should be designed to ensure that those inevitable mistakes do not result in severe injuries or deaths," wrote the Town of West Hartford in an announcement on Tuesday's event.

On Jan. 10, the West Hartford Town Council unanimously adopted the Vision Zero Initiative with the goal of eliminating fatalities and severe injury crashes on West Hartford streets by 2033.

“The Vision Zero Task Force and subcommittees have been hard at work for the past eight months and now need community input before a draft plan can be created,” said West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith.

“The next phase of this important plan is to hear from our residents and businesses. Please take advantage of the three opportunities to voice your opinion,” said West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor.

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese (traditional). In addition to the online survey, printed surveys may be obtained from the town hall lobby customer service desk or at any of the three public libraries. The document may also be downloaded here.

The public is also invited to leave comments on the interactive map on locations where they feel safe or unsafe, or have suggestions for safety improvements. Participants will be able to see and “like” others' comments.

The survey and web map will be open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Anyone requiring auxiliary aid or service to participate in a meeting, service, program or activity of the Town of West Hartford should contact Suzanne Oslander, ADA Coordinator, at SuzanneO@westhartfordct.gov or 860-561-7580, as soon as possible.

From Jan. 11: 'Chilling Testimony As West Hartford Council Confronts Safety Worries'