BETHEL – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) and advocates announced a $3,959,346 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for 93 projects in western Connecticut.
Since 2015, there have been over 2,400 vehicle crashes in Connecticut involving a fatality. The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with $5 billion in funds over five years – 2022 to 2026. The program has awarded more than $1 billion to over 1,000 communities to support projects aimed at addressing roadway safety issues. There is approximately $3 billion left in funding for additional projects throughout the United States.
“Since we passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, I have been thrilled to support countless local efforts to revolutionize infrastructure in the Fifth, whether it is through conducting traffic studies, increasing access to broadband, improving airports and railroads, or a wide range of other initiatives. It is imperative we address these issues now and revitalize our district and state to open the door for more jobs and increased economic growth,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. “The nearly $4 million in safety improvements will help create a safer, more equitable and sustainable transportation system for Connecticut drivers and all roadway users who cross our state.”
In June of 2023, Congresswoman Hayes offered support for the WestCOG grant application with Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04).
The federal funds will go towards vehicular and pedestrian safety improvements at 93 locations in western Connecticut. These improvements include new or restriped high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, dynamic speed feedback signs, leading pedestrian intervals, all-STOP intersection conversions, curve design improvements, and other measures designed to address an increase in traffic crashes.
In February of 2023, Congresswoman Hayes and the Connecticut Congressional Delegation announced $2.4 million in funding from the Safe Streets and Roads for All program to support six traffic safety projects across Connecticut, including $200,000 for Torrington to develop a comprehensive safety action plan.
Additionally, in October of 2023, the lawmakers announced $1.74 million in funding to support six traffic safety projects across Connecticut, including more than $400,000 for two Fifth District projects in the Naugatuck Valley and the Town of Newtown.
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