Sidewalk TalkThe Walkway to

Creating a Better Prospect Community

Our Roads are NOT SAFE!

Our Children and Pedestrians are at Risk!

Sidewalks Promote Healthy Lives!Our residents deserve a community that protects their safety and promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Our roadways are highly traveled and provide little or no space for safe pedestrian traffic.

Sidewalks would allow for our children to walk from school to Hotchkiss field to engage in healthy, after-school physical activity.

Sidewalks would allow residents who would like to exercise enjoy a safe run where their lives are not at risk!

Sidewalks would create a healthier and safer community to all of our benefit!

Breakdown lane is NOT safe for pedestrian traffic! Drivers are distracted – our lives are at risk!

Our children are in danger when they ride their bicycles or walk to the park!

Route 69 has heavy traffic and drivers speed and are distracted. Sidewalks would protect pedestrians

from these risks.

According to a recent study, there are 64% more pedestrian accidents in Connecticut than any other state. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pedestrian is killed every 8 minutes due to traffic collisions in the US.

Between 2008 and 2010, pedestrian accidents claimed the lives of 435 people in Connecticut. The 2010 statistics reveal there is a 4% increase in the pedestrian fatalities when compared to 2009.

MOTOR VEHICLE VS.PEDESTRIAN = DEATH

• STAMFORD, Conn. -- Shocked by three motor vehicle vs. pedestrian deaths in the city this year, Mayor David Martin announced that Stamford is looking at everything from police enforcement to education in an effort to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.

(9/5/14 Stamford Daily Voice)

A 70-year-old woman, the mother of a police investigator, was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Easter Sunday while crossing Woodland Avenue.

A 65-year-old man was struck by a car and killed on Strawberry Hill Avenue near his home on May 30.

A Springdale woman was struck and killed while crossing Hoyt Street at Summer Street on July 21.

(9/4/14 Stamford Daily Voice)

PEDESTRIAN DEATHSIN CONNECTICUT

2014

• Pedestrians, beware: 351 residents were killed while walking the state's roads from 2003 to 2012, making it the 27th worst state for pedestrian safety, according to a new report.

• Fairfield County ranked third in the state behind Hartford and New Haven counties in pedestrian deaths, but first in people killed while walking along major roadways.

• The report, Dangerous by Design 2014, was released by the National Complete Streets Coalition, which urges transportation planners and engineers to design streets with all users in mind.

• "What (the report) really does is call attention to the fact that most of our roads are designed for cars and high-speed traffic," said Jen Millea, communications director for AARP Connecticut. "We need to reinvest in designing our roads for everyone."

ctpost.com 5/21/2014

TORRINGTON, Conn. (WTNH)– A 51-year-old Torrington man was struck and killed by a car on Migeon Avenue on Friday night.

News 8, WTNH.com 12/19/14

NORWALK, Conn. (WTNH)– Police have arrested the man they say was involved in a hit and run Friday night in Norwalk.

Police say Hugo Cruz-Gregorio, 33, was the driver who hit the three pedestrians on Woodward Avenue last night. The pedestrians were taken to Norwalk Hospital, where one died later from injuries. Police say the other two victims have nonlife-threatening injuries.

News 8, WTNH.com 10/24/14

Senior citizens account for 1 of every 5 pedestrian fatalities

• The 2009 Connecticut "Complete Streets" law requires that transportation projects receiving state or municipal funds take into consideration all users of the roads, including pedestrians, cyclists and people of all ages and abilities.

ctpost.com 4/12/13

In Connecticut, adults 65 and older accounted for 28 percent of those killed in pedestrian accidents from 2003 to 2010.

More than half of pedestrian accidents happened on arterial roads, which are often "designed and operated to maximize the speed of automotive traffic and not for pedestrian safety and comfort, despite running through places where people need and want to walk.“

Ctpost.com 5/21/14

Grant Monies Are Available for Town Sidewalks!

• LOTCIP – Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program through the Dept. of Transportation and Regional Planning Organization• STP URBAN Funds for Sidewalk Construction – funds available to construct

sidewalk on a STP eligible roadway and must provide a safety benefit to the community. • LoCIP – Local Capital Improvement Program $66,103.00 available to Prospect• STEAP Grant – Small Town Economic Assistance Program provides funds for

sidewalk construction. • Main Street Investment Fund - administered through Department of Housing –

contact email - dimple.desai@ct.gov • CT Safe Routes to School - grants to eligible schools for sidewalk construction

CT Towns are Getting Sidewalk Funds

Through STEAP!$250,000 for Bethel’s sidewalks• Bethel's streets and sidewalks will

receive an upgrade courtesy of a $250,000 STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced today.

Bethel Patch 8/1/2013

$500,000 for Cheshire’s sidewalks• Cheshire is one of 28 towns awarded a grant

under the STEAP program for a variety of economic and other development projects

• The $500,000 STEAP grant for Cheshire is to fund the design and construction of 1,630 linear feet of sidewalks throughout the town center. This sidewalk extension project will connect the recently upgraded West Main Street commercial area to a number of municipal facilities, retail establishments and residential neighborhoods.

www.housedems.ct.gov 5/19/2014

STEAP GRANTS FOR SIDEWALKS AND STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS

$450,000 for Avon’s sidewalks• The town has received a $450,000 grant that will pay for

streetscape improvements in the center of town, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office has announced.

• The money from the state would pay for new sidewalks that are handicapped accessible and decorative lighting. This is the third grant that the town has received for the project and officials said it should let them complete it.

• "This project represents the best of public-private-partnerships in that the sources of funding were comprised of state aid, local funding and in-kind services, and charitable contributions from residents," Town Manager Brandon Robertson said in a statement. "The decorative lighting, granite curbing, and new sidewalks have positively impacted both the aesthetics and the navigability of our village center."

Hartford Courant 2/27/2014

$368,000 for Seymour sidewalks• “Seymour is dedicated to revitalizing our downtown, and this

grant money will go a long way in helping us make needed improvements,” Miller said. “By improving access for persons with disabilities and overall walkability, we hope to draw even more visitors to our downtown attractions.”

• Last year, the town received a $168,000 STEAP grant for the third phase of the sidewalk project, which will fund repairs to sidewalks and curbs on Grand, Spruce and Meadow streets. Work is slated to begin next month on those sidewalks, Miller said.

• Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, in a press release, said helping small towns make necessary infrastructure improvements translates to “investments that will make our towns a better place to live and work, will increase the quality of life, and help attract economic development and growth.”

New Haven Register 5/20/2014

STP Urban Funds for Sidewalks and Road Improvements

Bridgeport STP URBAN Funds for Sidewalks

• Construction of Iranistan Avenue sidewalks. State Project 15-358 funding secured through STP urban funds. 80% Federal Match 20% City match. Construction to begin in early Spring 2014

Manchester grant for $1.7 million • NORTH MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION • (STATE PROJECT 76-212)• Full depth pavement reconstruction on North Main Street between

Stock Place and North Street. Includes new granite curb, concrete sidewalks on the north side of the road, new storm drainage system and new traffic signal at the Union Street/North Main Street intersection.

• Funding Source:• Federal STP-Urban Program (90%); Local Public Works Bond (10%)• Construction Cost:• $1,977,854.00• Contractor:• Ludlow Construction• Start Date:• May 2013• Completion Date:• August 2014

LOTCIP Funds are Available for Sidewalks and Paving

Improvements!• Regional Planning Organizations are authorized to grant LOTCIP funds for sidewalks• The RPOs will be allowed to allocate a maximum of 15% of their annual LOTCIP funds or $500,000 total

project cost, whichever is greater, to pavement preservation, pavement rehabilitation, and exclusive (stand-alone) sidewalk projects covered by these guidelines

• Program created to help eliminate red tape and delays municipalities can run into when seeking federal reimbursement for road and transportation improvements has completed its first project, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office announced.

• The Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program, administered by the state Department of Transportation and 13 regional planning organizations, works with projects eligible for federal funds from the federal DOT's Surface Transportation Urban Program.

• State DOT officials distribute funding to municipalities with qualifying projects, and then seek reimbursement from the federal agency, instead of the local city or town doing it.

• The legislature authorized $45 million a year for the LOTCIP, which has funded approximately 40 projects so far.

Hartfordbusiness.com 11/14/2014

$5 million in grant funds for Town’s through Main Street Investment

Fund• Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced Tuesday that 13

municipalities across Connecticut will receive $5 million in grant funds to develop or improve their town’s commercial district.• The purpose of the distribution of funds is to attract small businesses,

grow jobs, and improve pedestrian access and livability in town centers, according to a press release. The grants are part of Connecticut’s Main Street Investment Fund, administered through the CT Department of Housing.

Wilton Patch 9/16/2014

These Towns are Using Main Street Investment Funds for Sidewalks and Pedestrian Improvements

• Canton will receive $387,000 for the construction of historically appropriate improvements that will provide safe pedestrian access, organized parking, and create critical linkages between areas with significant activity to areas of businesses. Funds will be used for sidewalks, way-finding signs, trees, pedestrian lights, crosswalks, and other safety and aesthetic improvements.

• Colchester will receive $285,000 for its Linwood Avenue Streetscape Improvement project. The project is comprised of three major elements: a concrete sidewalk and stamped concrete pathway along the southern side of Linwood Avenue, solar lighting and other street furniture, landscaping, and a wider stamped concrete section along the frontage of the Cragan Library on the northern side of Linwood Avenue. The proposed project would be sixth project completed in the downtown village area over the last decade which is built on the concepts and themes created previously.

• Cornwall will receive $70,000 to install sidewalks which will improve pedestrian access and safety in the busy scenic village center. The installation of a sidewalk between the approved senior housing and Cornwall General Store in Cornwall Bridge will provide access for seniors to village center and also provide handicapped access to the adjacent visitor's center.

• Essex will receive $435,000 for project activities related to calming of traffic and the creation of a shared "Village Center" intersection at Main Street and Summit Street. Project funds will be used for the addition of stamped and colored concrete from Summit Street to Main Street; installing new cross walks, renovating existing crosswalks, and other improvements.

• Fairfield will receive $250,000 for the installation of new or replacement concrete walks, curbing, pedestrian ramps, driveway aprons, decorative brick pavers, ornamental street lights, pedestrian benches, bicycle racks, and other street furniture. The goal is to create a pedestrian-friendly environment that is safe and harmonious with the existing streetscape character found in the downtown core. The proposed project strengthens the connections between commercial and residential neighborhoods and creates a pedestrian linkage to the train station.

• Griswold will receive $265,000 to fund the cost of poles, light fixtures, and resurfacing the sidewalk for a sidewalk lighting project. A total of 44 poles/lights will be installed.

More Towns Receiving Main Street Investment Funds – PROSPECT IS ENTITLED TO THESE FUNDS!

• Berlin, a community that is receiving $259,270 to revitalize Main Street and Farmington Avenue in the immediate vicinity of the Berlin Train Station.

• Ansonia will receive $483,000 to make improvements to the West Main Street area between Kingston Drive and Bridge Street. The project includes new granite curbs, brick paver strips, concrete walkway, grass planting strip ornamental rail fencing, street trees, and other street furniture, benches, trash receptacles, new ornamental lights, new parking layout, etc.

• Burlington will receive $377,000 for pedestrian improvements in the Burlington Town Center. These funds will be used to construct sidewalks and make other pedestrian and streetscaping improvements including lighting, landscaping, and lighting.

• Canaan will receive $450,000 to construct an ADA compliant, historically appropriate bluestone sidewalk running from one end of Main Street to the elementary school at the other end of Main Street. Funds will also be used to install curbing and bump-outs with landscaping and street trees to help slow traffic, better define parking areas, and make Main Street more attractive.

MAIN STREET INVESTMENTS SUPPORT DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS

• Killingly will receive $500,000 for streetscape improvements for the Danielson Main Street Historic District Project. The project has two major components: sidewalk and curbing replacement; and streetscape amenities including decorative lighting, planters, and bike racks. The funds will be used to replace over 27,000 square feet of sidewalk in the Main Street area.

• Mansfield will receive $500,000 to enhance the public spaces of Storrs Center. Funds will be used for decorative street lights and street trees on Dog Lane, Royce Circle, and Wilbur Cross Way; sidewalk planters on Dog Lane, tree planters for the Town Square, decorative concrete pavement in the Royce Circle and Wilbur Cross Way bump-outs, and way-finding signage for the Phase 1A and the Town Square. Storrs Center Alliance plans to use funds for facade improvements on the buildings at 1 Dog Lane and 9 Dog Lane.

• New Canaan will receive $215,000 for several infrastructure improvements projects such as construction of the Locust Avenue parking deck and the complete renovation of the Town Hall. The proposed projects will provide attractive amenities for pedestrians while improving pedestrian connections to municipal parking and the downtown which is essential to ensure the town commercial viability. Funds will be used to purchase and install decorative street lighting, construction of a pocket-park, sidewalk connection, and two stamped concrete crosswalks.

• Westport plans to use its $497,595 to improve Westport Town Commercial Center street infrastructure and provide improved pedestrian sidewalk access from residential neighborhoods into the downtown center. Funding will be used for sidewalk refurbishments, the installation of new sidewalks, improved energy efficient lighting, curbing, guardrails, and tree grates.

PROSPECT IS ELIGIBLE FOR THESE FUNDS!Our neighbors have sidewalks – shouldn’t we?

• Prospect received $200,000 STEAP funds in 2011 for a new public works garage – but we need sidewalks! STEAP FUNDS are available for SIDEWALKS!• Prospect is eligible for STP Urban Funds/LOTCIP for sidewalks – Rt. 69 is

already on the DOT list for expansion – the State knows it is a priority – PROSPECT can apply to local COG (NVRCOG) for funds!• Prospect can apply for LoCIP funds for sidewalks – $66,103 available• Prospect is eligible for CT Main Street Investment funds for sidewalks to help

attract small businesses, grow jobs, and improve pedestrian access and livability in our town center – SIDEWALKS WILL HELP OUR COMMUNITY AND FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR THEM!• Our School District may apply for Safe Routes to School funds for Sidewalks

SIDEWALKS INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES

• Sidewalks bring added-value to a community. According to a study performed by “walking the walk,” sponsored by the CEOs for Cities (a nonprofit group that works to improve cities), homes located about a quarter to one-mile from shops, schools and restaurants with sidewalks connecting them had values that were $4000 to $34,000 more than the homes without sidewalks. South Windsor Patch 12/2/2012.• A study by the Urban Land Institute shows home buyers are willing to pay

more for homes in walkable neighborhoods. Real Estate Research Corp. analysis shows property values rise fastest in pedestrian friendly areas. Sidewalks improve access to business and industry for employees relying on public transportation. Sidewalks improve customer traffic for retail businesses. Healthbydesignonline.org

SIDEWALKS HELP PROMOTE LOCAL BUSINESSES AND A SENSE OF

COMMUNITY• Sidewalks play a vital role in

community life. As conduits for pedestrian movement and access, they enhance connectivity and promote walking. As public spaces, sidewalks are the front steps to the community, activating streets socially and economically. Safe, accessible, well-maintained sidewalks are a fundamental community investment that enhances public health and maximizes social capital.

AARP Livable Communities 2014

• Sidewalks increase foot traffic in neighborhood retail centers, delivering the customers that local shops and restaurants need in order to thrive. Retail properties with a Walk Score ranking of 80 out of 100 were valued 54 percent higher than properties with a Walk Score 4 of 20 and had an increase in net operating income of 42 percent for more walkable properties

AARP Livable Communities 2014

There is a place where the sidewalk endsAnd before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flightTo cool in the peppermint wind.

The only way to get to the place where the sidewalk ends is to build the sidewalk first!

Let’s start the SIDEWALK TALK and mobilize support for sidewalks in Prospect!

Carla M. Perugini-Erickson, Town Council, Member DTC