Fairfield Launches Federally Required Roadway Safety Plan Under SS4A Grant
FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Fairfield has begun a federally funded planning process to improve roadway safety, with a series of public workshops and data analysis led by the town and its consultant, Toole Design, as part of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program.
The effort centers on the development of a Safety Action Plan, funded through a $350,000 federal planning grant, with an $87,500 local match. The plan will guide roadway safety improvements over the next decade and is a prerequisite for securing additional federal funding.
A second $300,000 SS4A demonstration grant will support temporary projects to test safety measures identified through the planning process.
The SS4A program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Toole Design Leading Safety Action Plan
Fairfield retained Toole Design, a national transportation planning firm, to lead development of the Safety Action Plan.
The firm is responsible for:
- Analyzing crash data and roadway conditions
- Identifying high-risk corridors and intersections
- Incorporating public input into project prioritization
- Recommending design solutions and implementation strategies
Town materials state the plan will include a 10-year strategy for reducing traffic injuries and fatalities and will identify both near-term and long-term improvements.
Public Workshops and Ongoing Engagement
The planning process began with a public workshop at Penfield Pavilion in April, where residents were asked to identify safety concerns and problem locations across town.
In a public statement following the meeting, the town said:
“Your feedback in identifying areas of concern throughout Town is critical in creating a Safety Action Plan.”
Additional engagement is scheduled throughout the spring and summer, including:
- May 2 — YMCA event
- Dogwood Festival (May 9)
- Fairfield Farmers Market (June 6)
Town officials said outreach will continue through summer 2026, with a second public workshop planned for August.
The final Safety Action Plan is expected to be released in September 2026.
Scope of the Safety Action Plan
According to materials presented at the workshop, the plan will:
- Recommend roadway design solutions
- Use crash data and community input to prioritize projects
- Identify funding strategies for future improvements
- Coordinate safety initiatives across town departments
The plan will also support implementation of projects funded under the town’s SS4A demonstration grant, allowing officials to test safety measures before pursuing permanent construction.
Vision Zero Framework
The SS4A planning effort is aligned with Fairfield’s Vision Zero commitment, adopted in 2024, which sets a goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2034.
The Safety Action Plan will serve as the primary framework for achieving that goal and for coordinating future funding requests and infrastructure investments.
Next Steps
Over the coming months, Toole Design and town staff will continue data collection and public engagement to refine priorities and identify target locations for improvement.
The completed plan will position Fairfield to pursue additional federal and state funding and to advance projects identified through the SS4A process.
