SWAMPSCOTT ― The town received $250,000 from the Housing Choice Community Capital Grants for improvements on pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure.
The grant was awarded to work on pedestrian safety around the MBTA Commuter Rail station, enhancing the connection between the train station, the Swampscott Housing Authority, and a future 40B project.
Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald said this grant supports a number of initiatives to improve pedestrian safety in Swampscott.
“It’s been a real high priority for the Select Board and for the town staff, to really think about how we can enhance ways to not just protect our citizens, but to look at safer routes for school, and really support strategies to reduce congestion in one of the most densely-populated communities in the commonwealth,” Fitzgerald said.
In light of the Commuter Rail seeing an increase in ridership, bringing more regional traffic through the area, Fitzgerald said that the town is concerned about the health and safety of pedestrian traffic.
“There are so many people who enjoy walking around town and we want to keep it that way,” Fitzgerald said. “We want folks to get out and about and explore what is so unique to Swampscott: the shoreline.”
To continue improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, Fitzgerald said they have to seek broader support from state and federal resources in order to help make these investments.
“This funding is a start, a significant investment, to begin to help us make pedestrian safety improvements,” Fitzgerald said. “This is definitely one of the Select Board’s highest priorities, and we will be talking more about this at our special Town Meeting as we explore strategies on how to improve pedestrian safety in Swampscott.”
Fitzgerald thanked state Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead) and state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) for their advocacy and “ever-present leadership on these issues.”
