Council creates working group to study pedestrian safety zones and potential 20 mph limits

The City Council approved an order to form a working group to evaluate creation of pedestrian safety zones under recently passed Connecticut legislation that allows municipalities to establish such zones.

Supporters told the council the group would develop plans for zones that could lower speed limits to 20 mph in up to five pedestrian areas and pair reduced speeds with infrastructure investments such as bump-outs and other traffic-calming measures. “In this working group ... will develop plans for pedestrian safety zones. Zones that would empower the city to lower speed limits to 20 miles per hour in 5 pedestrian areas, pair those lower speeds with safety investments like bunkhouse and other infrastructure, and give the city yet another tool to make our streets, streets safer for everybody,” a council member said.

Nut graf: City officials said the legal change at the state level gives municipalities a tool they did not previously have and that the working group will study where zones might be appropriate and what implementation would require.

Speakers credited state legislators and local advocates for moving the issue forward; the transcript includes thanks to a former ward alder and to the state delegation for leadership on the enabling legislation.

Ending: The working group will return recommendations, including candidate locations and potential complementary infrastructure, but no specific zones, timelines, or funding sources were decided during the meeting.