On June 21, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) was scheduled to undertake a one-day Connecticut Connectivity Road Safety Audit (RSA) of the Route 22/Route 17 intersecting areas of the Northford Village center.

The audit, which identifies bike and pedestrian needs, and develops recommendations to improve conditions, can generate both low-cost recommendations to be implemented in the short term, as well as recommendations for higher-cost improvements which can be made over the longer term, according to RSA information at ct.gov

At the North Branford Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) meeting on June 15, Planning and Zoning Administrator/Town Planner David Perkins said the audit, coupled with a $50,000 community study grant from South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG), could get the ball rolling toward applying for up to $800,000 from a CT Connectivity grant next year to address sidewalks and infrastructure improvements in the area.

“We have a great situation here because we have the community center at the south end, and we have the library at the north end. And how would you like to walk from the community center to the library right now?” asked Perkins, adding, “...we’re a prime candidate for that kind of grant.”

To apply for the Community Connectivity grant in 2024, the Town would need to provide engineering studies and other details, including a completed community study showing sidewalk layout, potential curb closings, and other factors, and the RSA report when completed.

“I think with the road safety audit and the SCROG grant, we’re moving toward it,” said Perkins.

The Northford Route 22/Route 17 RSA was also mentioned at the June 20 Town Council meeting during the town manager’s report, given by assistant town manager Rory Burke.

“It’s hoped that the recommendations will reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle accidents while hoping to beautify the intersection and make it more pedestrian and bicycle friendly,” Burke told the council.

According to information at ct.gov, the three-part RSA is undertaken during one business day. A pre-audit meeting allows the RSA team to review the objectives of the audit, information relevant to the location, and methodology to be used to qualitatively evaluate safety concerns. Next, the field audit completes a physical inspection of the location, including the RSA team walking the area and conducting a safety performance review to evaluate the safety concerns. At a post-audit meeting, the RSA team discusses the field audit, identifies safety concerns, and develops short-term and long-term recommendations for improvement.

Following the audit, the town of North Branford will receive a report detailing the RSA results, including any documented safety concerns and individualized short-term and long-term recommendations for safety improvements.

North Branford’s June 15 Planning and Zoning meeting and June 20 Town Council meetings can be viewed in their entirety at Totoket TV on Facebook.