Governor Dannel Malloy announced on Tuesday the state's plans to invest in its first "road diet" in East Hartford, improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure along a major corridor.
The investment would make changes to U.S. Route 44, or Burnside Avenue, in East Hartford, and improve safety there for cyclists and pedestrians.
The changes include the conversion of the road from four lanes to two lanes for cars, the addition of bike lanes, the reconstruction of sidewalks, and the relocation of some bus stops.
“Road diets and traffic calming cut down anywhere from 19 to 47 percent the number of accidents on roads that we take these steps on,” Malloy said at a press event.
The plan also includes:
- The realignment of Larrabee Street at Burnside Ave
- Installation of bus turnouts
- Correction of safety-related drainage problems
- Driver and biker safety education community outreach
"The road will be repurposed for the safety and security of our residents." Mayor Leclerc of East Hartford pic.twitter.com/yxhGeTMScd
— rob dozier (@robardzr) August 4, 2015
Bike/Walk Connecticut reported as well on the event, including a link to a project fact sheet.
Watch the press event below, via CT-N:
Rob Dozier is an intern at WNPR.
