The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is looking to improve roadway safety and enhance mobility through its new Complete Streets design criteria that is going to be incorporated into all new projects.
The new design criteria expands CTDOT's Complete Street policy and focuses on pedestrian and bicyclist facilities in addition to public transportation operations to improve safety.
“While this change may sound technical, it is a big deal for improving the safety of our transportation network. I am incredibly proud of our Bureaus of Engineering and Construction and Policy and Planning for tackling the challenge I posed to them and developing these new Complete Streets design criteria for all of our future projects,” said CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “We are doing everything we can break down barriers to transportation and make Connecticut roadways more accessible for everyone.”
“Utilizing Complete Streets design criteria is just one of the many ways we’re working to make Connecticut safer for all roadway users,” said CTDOT Chief Engineer and Bureau Chief of Engineering and Construction Scott Hill. “This change will solidify and ensure that pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety is incorporated into the billions of dollars worth of projects we have planned in our Capital Program.
Connecticut's deadliest year on the road was 2022 with over 360 fatalities and more than 70 pedestrian deaths.
CTDOT's new Complete Streets design focuses on 3 key areas:
- Pedestrian facilities which includes sidewalks, shared use paths, or side paths on both sides of the roadway.
- Bicycle facilities which includes paved outside shoulders, bike lanes, separated bike paths, or shared use paths on both sides of the roadway.
- Transit provisions which includes crosswalks, shelters, benches, and other ways to make existing or proposed transit stops more accessible.
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Source: CTDOT
