Good news in Guilford! The Town of Guilford was awarded a $739,000 Community Connectivity Grant from the State Department of Transportation to build a new five-foot wide sidewalk with a two-foot buffer zone, curb ramps and crosswalks, along Route One from the border with Madison at the East River westward to the intersection with Boston Street where existing sidewalks lead to the Town Green.
First Selectman Matt Hoey announced that the Town will put the project out to bid this fall, to start construction as soon as possible next Spring.
This award is part of the State’s initiative to improve accommodations for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users in urban, suburban, and rural community centers. Our town was considered the highest priority among the twelve municipalities to receive this grant from DOT.
The official press announcement was held on the Town Green on Saturday, Sept. 7 with many positive remarks from Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, State Senator Christine Cohen (D-District 12) and State Representative Moira Rader (D-District 98), all of whom supported the efforts of First Selectman Matt Hoey and Sam Gerritz, chair of the Guilford Safe Streets Task Force, to secure this grant.
For pedestrians, this will be a very welcome new and safe resource for access to the town center and the west end of Madison for everyone, for pleasure and for exercise, and for recreational bicyclists, a safer path to take along Route One.