CITY OF WATERBURY TO RECEIVE $3M IN FUNDING TO UPGRADE DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM

(WATERBURY, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that Waterbury is one of nine Connecticut cities and towns that will share a $20 million federal grant for transportation projects designed to improve the flow of traffic, improve air quality, and reduce energy use.

The City of Waterbury has been awarded $3 million under the Federal Highway Administration’s competitive Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) Program, which typically includes surface transportation projects that improve air quality and provide congestion relief.  The City applied for the competitive grant in January, 2012.

“The modern upgrades to our downtown system will help reduce traffic congestion and thereby improve air quality,” said Mayor Neil M. O’Leary. “The upgrades will also address pedestrian safety through pedestrian phasing of the traffic signals.  These funds will help modernize our downtown traffic system and make walking in the downtown safer for residents, downtown workers and visitors.  It is an important piece in making our downtown a pedestrian-friendly place for people to live, work and play."

The City of Waterbury will be working with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) on final designs for their project so that it is ready to go when the funds are released.

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