Sen. Bob Duff tells Norwalk Bike Walk Commission he is working to secure trail, sidewalk and housing funding

Sen. Bob Duff told the Norwalk Bike Walk Commission on April 7 that he is working at the state level to protect funding for local projects including trail construction and sidewalks and to advance policies that support housing and walkable neighborhoods.

Duff said Connecticut faces budget uncertainty in the current legislative session and that timing will determine whether some local funding moves forward. He described a pending bond-item for roughly $1.5 million to finish a section of the Naugatuck River Valley Trail in Norwalk and said he expects that item to be placed on the state bond agenda. He also said there is concern about the status of a separate, previously announced $14,000,000 grant tied to a Martin Skane Boulevard project and that losing that funding would be “a huge loss to the city.”

The senator praised Norwalk’s work on sidewalks and Complete Streets planning and said he secured funding last year for sidewalks near Cranberry Elementary School. He urged a strategic approach—prioritizing safe routes to schools and coordinating sidewalk construction with road repaving—and said he has been working with the city’s TMP staff on funding-ready projects so he can advocate for them at the Capitol.

Duff also described recent local housing discussions he attended with clergy and advocates, and said the state is making “historic investments in housing” while trying to address a larger, longer-term shortage of housing statewide. He said some bills—citing a work-live-ride style housing bill now in the House—remain politically sensitive and that the Senate’s ability to act depends on when the House transmits those measures.

Commissioners asked Duff about transit governance and bus shelters. A commissioner noted the Norwalk Transit District’s board structure and questioned whether the board can include a rider representative; Duff said he did not have detailed knowledge of the district’s appointment rules and offered to follow up. On shelters, he said the transit district and TMP have previously followed different policies and that a fairer, more planned approach to shelters is needed.

Duff told the commission he supports outreach to promote Norwalk’s recently adopted Complete Streets ordinance and said he is willing to help with funding and communications when projects are “ready to go.” Commissioners discussed holding a regional symposium on Complete Streets and agreed to explore inviting officials from other Connecticut cities and towns; Jim Travers (TMP) and Duff both indicated willingness to participate.

The senator closed by saying he maintains constituent office hours, prefers e-mail and social media contact for quick questions, and will try to get answers or follow up when he does not have details immediately available.

Why it matters: the commission’s work on sidewalks, trails and Complete Streets intersects with state bond funding and legislative decisions. Local projects that are “shovel ready” are easier for legislators to support, Duff said, and local coordination with TMP and the city’s elected delegation can influence which projects secure bond or grant funding.