STAMFORD, CT--Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) and Mayor Mike Pavia welcomed Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff to Stamford today to announce a federal grant of $16 million to begin construction of Phase 2 of the Stamford Urban Transitway (SUT). The project is an essential component of Stamford's long-term development plan and effort to connect the Stamford Transportation Center with downtown and the city's business district.
“Clogged traffic throughout our communities hinders economic development and frustrates commuters, but the Stamford Urban Transitway will help make the city more accessible to commuters and alleviate congestion on I-95,” said Rep. Himes. “I'm pleased we were able to work with DOT to secure funding for this essential project.”
Himes and Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman have worked closely with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to secure funding for the SUT through a number of different channels. When DOT announced that Stamford would not receive funding for the SUT through the initial round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants, Himes, Dodd, and Lieberman took quick action to find an alternative source of funding to help ensure this critical project would move forward. They have supplemented this grant with investments though congressionally-directed spending and the Recovery Act.
Phase 1 of the SUT broke ground last year. Phase 2 will realign Myrtle Avenue between Elm Street and East Main Street and East Main Street between Myrtle Avenue and Lockwood Avenue, to provide a direct link to the Stamford Transportation Center from East Main Street.
“The Obama Administration is proud to partner with Stamford to bring the community a new and improved travel option that will make it so much easier for residents and visitors to get to where they need to go,” said Rogoff. “This project will not only drive economic development and create jobs now, it will also ease congestion in an around I-95 and better connect people with work, shopping, and entertainment.”
The Stamford Urban Transitway is the centerpiece of Stamford’s effort to connect the Stamford Transportation Center with its Amtrak, regional rail, and commuter bus facilities. Once completed, the Transitway will increase access to public transportation, improve deteriorated air quality, and open the south waterfront to a $4 billion brownfields revitalization and mixed-use redevelopment now underway. The Transitway will connect several regional transportation facilities with bus, high occupancy vehicle, vehicle, and bicycle and pedestrian lanes. Improvements will also be made to sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and surrounding roads.
“The transitway plays a critical role in Stamford's efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve access to public transportation,” said Senator Lieberman. “This funding underscores a continuing commitment to creating jobs for Connecticut workers, accommodating commuters on our state's busiest roads, and protecting our environment on the path ahead.”