Key Pedestrian Safety Project Completed In West Hartford

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local officials announced the completion of a major safety improvement project that aims to slow down traffic and decrease the risk to pedestrians.

On June 25, the Town of West Hartford completed its first quick build project of the season with curb extensions on all four corners at South Quaker Lane and Kingswood.

Curb extensions are exactly what their name states, an extension of the sidewalk or curb line into the street.

They are usually seen in parking lanes and busy intersections.

This narrows the street width and strives to improve pedestrian safety and calm traffic by forcing vehicles to slow down and to keep pedestrians further away from the roadway.

This project, West Hartford officials said, is part of the town's ongoing Vision Zero initiative that strives to eliminate by 2030 fatal/serious injury accidents among pedestrians/motorists.

Additional Vision Zero improvements will be made at five locations on Sedgwick Road and two locations on Park Road.

The recently finished curb extension project is part of Phase 1 of a series of similar projects throughout town. Phase I should be completed by July 18 or sooner, officials said.

"Curb extensions shorten crossing distances, provide additional pedestrian waiting space, and calm traffic by physically narrowing intersections," wrote the Town of West Hartford.

"This results in lower vehicular turning speeds and improves motorist sight lines to pedestrians. Curb extensions are most appropriate on wide streets or streets with marked parking lanes."

From June 26: 'West Hartford Safety Initiative Targets Crosswalks'

From June 16: 'Life-Saving Swag Available At West Hartford Town Hall, Libraries'

From March 12: 'West Hartford Seeks Folks To Pledge To Drive Safely'

From March 3, 2024: 'WeHa Council Seeks 'Cultural' Change On Traffic Safety'

From Dec. 7, 2023: 'One Year After Tragedies, West Hartford Pledges Safer Roads'