Jenna Petok and Markus Marty are co-directors of Walk Bike Westport. They write:
Last December, Westport won something many towns compete for and don’t get: a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant of $895,200.
Next Wednesday, October 7 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), the Board of Finance will vote on an appropriation of $1,119,000. If approved, the town would then be reimbursed 80%. Westport taxpayers would be responsible for just $224,000.
Without approval, Westport can’t accept the money.
We hope they say yes. If you agree, now is the time to make your voice heard:
- Email the Board of Finance (click here)
- Come to Wednesday’s meeting.
This isn’t the first time the Board has looked at this grant. In May, members raised fair questions. Were we funding 3 overlapping studies? How much staff time would it take? And would any of it lead to real improvements, or just more reports?
Those were the right questions. Public Works took them seriously, and the program coming back to the Board is different.
The 3 separate plans are now one coordinated plan, with 1 advisory committee and 1 review process. The planning builds directly on the town’s adopted Safety Action Plan instead of repeating it, and it’s designed to work alongside the Plan of Conservation and Development, not duplicate it.
Most importantly, a dedicated share of the budget now goes to building safety improvements on our streets.
Last fall, Walk Bike Westport co-direct Markus Marty (front) led a walk from Jesup Green to Saugatuck. The event drew many local candidates, and interested residents.
The total cost and the town’s share are the same. What Westport gets for it is better.
Here’s what the grant buys.
Real projects on real streets. This is the part we’re most excited about. The grant funds up to 4 temporary safety projects on town roads, measured before and after. If something works, the town can make it permanent. If it doesn’t, it comes out. We’d call that responsible spending: test first, then invest.
A Town-wide Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. It defines a realistic walking and biking network for Westport, one that fits our New England streets, with priority projects, planning level costs, and a path to implementation. Inside it:
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A Safe Routes to School Plan. Westport has never had one. Many parents would like their kids to walk or bike to school, and many kids would like to. This plan looks school by school, public and private, at the crossings, connections, and traffic patterns that make that harder than it should be, and lays out what to fix first.
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A Complete Streets Policy. A practical framework for considering every user when the town builds and maintains streets, recognizing that one size doesn’t fit every Westport road.
An ADA Transition Plan. A town-wide look at sidewalks, curb ramps, and crossings, with a prioritized plan to make them work for people with disabilities, seniors, and parents with strollers.
This grant didn’t come out of nowhere. Westport’s Public Works and Engineering teams, along with the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee, have spent years on the unglamorous work of making our streets safer: new sidewalks, crosswalks, intersection improvements, and a Safety Action Plan the town adopted in 2025.
That plan is already producing results, including improvements underway on Kings Highway North, and it’s what made Westport competitive for this funding. It’s a good example of a modest local investment paying off many times over.
Last fall, dozens of Walk Bike Westport enthusiasts gathered at Jesup Green, for a walk. (Photos/John Videler for Videler Photography)
The math is simple. For every dollar Westport puts in, the federal government puts in four. And plans like these are what position a town for future implementation grants, the kind that pay for sidewalks and crossings rather than studies.
We know the Board takes its responsibility to taxpayers seriously, and we respect that. The questions asked in May made this a better program. Now it deserves a yes.
Westport worked hard to win this grant. Let’s make sure we keep it.
(“06880” Opinion pages are open to all. Send submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this hyper-local blog, please click here. Thank you!)
I wholeheartedly agree that we need more sidewalks, crossings and bike paths. Given our strong family, outdoor-oriented and community-focused culture, let’s invest in safer streets for all. Thank you, Markus, Jenna and Walk Bike Westport!
Wow! Free money! Doesn’t cost anybody anything.
I looked all thru the U.S. Constitution and I didn’t see any mention of the Federal Government funding bike paths, etc……..
This is the stuff that will bankrupt the country.
One of the safest things individuals can do is wear light or bright clothing when walking or riding a bike, especially in the dark.
The other night a person decided to walk across the Post road wearing all BLACK! it was dark out and they were walking in a crosswalk, but didn’t wait for the walk light so when the traffic light turned green for cars to turn out of parking lots they were in the middle of the road and several cars turned and didn’t see this person. They were lucky, because the cars missed the person and no one got hurt, but this could have been devastating and tradgic If not for a little luck and the person stopped walking. Just in time. Next time please wait for the walk light and wear clothes people can see you in better rather than all black.
This wardrobe selection wouldn’t cost the town, state or taxpayers any money! Please use common sense and be safe. It really wasn’t the fault of those cars as none jumped the light too early and none were speeding. They just couldn’t see the person walking in the dark when they were following the traffic laws properly!
This grant together with town money and inventiveness can make for safer streets and healthier Westporters! Attend or write your support to Board of Finance now.