Kate Farrar

State Representatives Kate Farrar (D - West Hartford, Newington), Tammy Exum (D - West Hartford, Avon), Bobby Gibson (D - West Hartford, Bloomfield), Jillian Gilchrest (D - West Hartford), James Sanchez (D - West Hartford, Hartford), and State Senator Derek Slap (D - West Hartford, Farmington, Burlington, Bloomfield) announced West Hartford’s selection by the Connecticut Department of Transportation to receive $697,000 from the Community Connectivity Grant Program.

The Community Connectivity Grant Program (CCGP) Award recently announced more than $12 million in grants to 17 towns and cities throughout Connecticut to improve transportation accessibility and safety. West Hartford will receive $697,000 for the Sidewalk Accessibility Improvements Project, enhancing safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. These funds will be used to upgrade aging infrastructure and ensure that all residents can safely navigate the community.

“The state grant award for the Sidewalk Accessibility Improvements Project will make a significant difference in the lives of our West Hartford residents,” said Rep. Farrar. “This project aligns with our state and town efforts to better design streets for all users and create safer roadways that eliminate roadway fatalities and injuries. I extend my gratitude to Governor Lamont, Commissioner Eucalitto, and the town for their efforts to secure this funding. This improvement of our sidewalks is a crucial step to build a healthier, safer, and more vibrant and connected West Hartford.”

"This funding will increase safety and accessibility in addition to making West Hartford a more connected community,” said Rep. Exum. “I support and welcome these much-needed local infrastructure improvements."

“This funding will provide additional protections for pedestrians in our community. I am thrilled that the Town of West Hartford will be able to update their infrastructure to ensure that individuals who want to walk around town can do so safely,” said Rep. Gibson. 

“Economic activity and overall quality of life in our communities is greatly served by the ability of residents to safely and efficiently navigate and move around the neighborhood,” said Rep. Gilchrest. “I look forward to these enhancements in West Hartford and thank Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Transportation for supporting this crucial funding.”

"My colleagues and I welcome this grant with open arms. This investment will increase safety and accessibility for both pedestrians and bicyclists alike," said Rep. Sánchez. "Improved sidewalks will encourage more people to use this new, healthy, and environmentally sustainable mode of travel. It will also increase foot traffic and give our community and small businesses more opportunities to thrive. This is yet another step toward further safety and economic development in our amazing community."

“This program invests in the safety of our pedestrians and bicyclists, while fostering healthy, walkable and connected communities,” said Sen. Slap. “I am hopeful that this, coupled with the $1 million we secured for West Hartford’s Vision Zero, will lead to constituents choosing environmentally friendly and physically active modes of transportation when running errands like going grocery shopping or dropping their kids off at school. I applaud the Governor and Commissioner Eucalitto’s leadership on this initiative.”

Mayor Shari Cantor said, “This Infrastructure Improvement Grant allows us to focus on our most vulnerable users – pedestrians and those with mobility challenges. The grant also aligns with West Hartford’s Vision Zero Action Plan, which prioritizes the health and safety of all users and modes of transportation. We are truly grateful to Gov. Lamont and West Hartford’s delegation for selecting our community for this generous grant.”

“The Community Connectivity Grant Program helps towns and cities make their infrastructure safer and more accessible. We’re happy to support West Hartford’s plan to build and upgrade sidewalks to help improve accessibility for all users,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto.