The Norwalk Bike Walk Commission voted unanimously at its Nov. 10 meeting to endorse a draft letter of support for a grant application that would fund Phase 2 sidewalk work on Ward Street between Main Street and Union Avenue.

The vote gives the chair permission to sign the letter on behalf of the full commission and submit it with the WestCOG LACCP application due later that week. "This project encompasses Ward Street — the half-mile section between Main Street and Union Avenue — where there are currently no sidewalks, and it would continue the phase of new sidewalks and additional crosswalks," said Greg, TMP staff leading the application (first speaking SEG 936). Becca moved the motion to back the letter; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Why it matters: the corridor abuts West Rocks Middle School, All Saints School and Tracy School, and Greg said project concepts include raised intersections, rectangular rapid-flashing beacons, curb extensions and additional crossings to shorten pedestrian crossings and slow vehicle speeds. "If we can provide a safe and accessible and connected sidewalk system, then they can easily walk to school safely," Greg said. Commission members noted the Ward Street segment was included in the 2012 bike/ped master plan as a priority corridor and that the letter signals local support required by many grant evaluators.

What was decided and next steps: commissioners approved the chair adding commissioners' names and the commission letterhead before submission. The commission asked staff to circulate the final letter and indicated it would continue to support the application during the WestCOG/State solicitation process.

Provenance: key discussion and the vote appear in transcript SEG 936 to SEG 1025 (project presentation) and SEG 1196 to SEG 1231 (motion and vote).