Hartford’s Push for Safer Streets: A Real Look at Road Safety Challenges

Hartford is stepping up its efforts to address traffic safety, but challenges remain. Recent initiatives aim to make roads safer for everyone—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

Despite the progress, the statistics reveal a harsh reality: There’s still a long way to go.

In this report, we’ll examine Hartford’s efforts to improve road safety and how these efforts are impacting our community.

Major Investments in Hartford for Road Safety

Hartford will allocate millions toward traffic safety improvements over the next few years. Nearly $2 million is earmarked for fiscal year 2024–25, with an additional $10.5 million set for 2025–26. These funds are aimed at safer intersections, extended curbs, new roundabouts, and traffic-calming measures throughout the city. A standout project is the $7 million streetscape overhaul of North Main Street, intended to make it a more welcoming, pedestrian-friendly space.

The city’s investment in road safety is about saving lives, not just about infrastructure. Mayor Arunan Arulampalam highlighted this when he said, “For families with kids, like mine, with dogs, I’ve just heard horrific stories of serious injury, and we want to make our city safe in all of the ways that impact our residents.” These projects are meant to be proactive steps to help reduce accidents and make Hartford’s streets safer for everyone.

Addressing the ‘Circle of Death’

One of Hartford’s most notorious intersections is Pulaski Circle, often called the “Circle of Death” by locals. From 2018 to 2022, over 100 crashes were recorded at this spot. The layout is confusing, lacks proper lane markings, and offers little safety for pedestrians, making it a real danger for anyone who uses it.

Plans are underway to transform Pulaski Circle into a modern roundabout, complete with clear signage, proper lane divisions, and pedestrian safety measures (Greater Hartford Mobility Study). These updates are still in the conceptual phase, but the goal is to slow down vehicles, make crossings safer, and cut down on crashes. It’s a vital change for a city intersection that has caused far too many close calls.

Slow Streets Initiative: Changing Neighborhood Safety

Hartford is also focusing on its neighborhoods through the Slow Streets program, a traffic-calming initiative aiming to reduce traffic speeds and improve safety. Streets like Hampton, Hillside Avenue, and areas within Blue Hills and the West End are seeing the benefits of these changes. The city has implemented traffic-calming measures such as new bumpouts, narrower lanes, and diagonal diverters to make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and children commuting to nearby schools.

Some of these pilot projects are becoming permanent and are part of Hartford’s broader effort to create safer residential streets. Over 17,000 crashes occurred in the Capitol Region from January to August 2024 (Connecticut Crash Data Repository), showing that significant challenges remain. These improvements are a positive start, but they are only one part of the broader effort needed to ensure Hartford’s streets are safer for everyone.

$19 Million Federal Grant for Safer Infrastructure

In the summer of 2023, Hartford secured $19 million in federal funding for improving pedestrian safety. U.S. Senator Chris Murphy emphasized, “Thirty percent of residents in Hartford don’t have a car. That means a lot of people are walking to work.” The grant will fund projects like the North Main Streetscape, adding better curbs, sidewalks, bike lanes, and decorative lighting—all designed to make Hartford safer and more accessible for everyone.

These improvements aren’t just about making streets look nicer; they are about reducing risks and saving lives. Business owner Gary Blake captured this well when he said, “Safety, access, and community is what we’re building here.”  Local businesses are counting on these improvements to create a safer environment for residents and visitors alike.

The Hard Truth on Road Safety in Hartford

The numbers don’t lie: 

• 316 people died on Connecticut roadways in 2023
• 73 pedestrians lost their lives throughout the Constitution State in 2022 (Governors Highway Safety Association) 

Hartford itself sees hundreds and hundreds of crashes every single year. These numbers remind us why these safety projects are so crucial. Every new project and every dollar spent is an attempt to prevent another tragedy on our streets.

Carter Mario Law Firm: Here When You Need Us Most

At Carter Mario Law Firm, we understand that road safety is not just about convenience—it’s about protecting our Hartford neighbors like you. Hartford is taking steps to make our streets safer, but accidents still happen, and the consequences can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured due to unsafe road conditions or a negligent driver, we’re here to help.

We have extensive experience assisting victims of traffic accidents in navigating the complexities of the legal system and seeking the compensation they deserve. As trusted Hartford personal injury lawyers, we’re here to fight for you no matter what. Together, we can hold unsafe drivers accountable and work toward a safer, more vibrant community for everyone in Hartford.