- Connecticut Public Works Promotions & Announcements
- Celebrating Connecticut's Public Works Professionals
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Leaders to Watch: Danielle Greenier, Town of Watertown
- Safety Matters: May is Bicycle Safety Month
- Innovation Station: Concrete Innovation - ODOT's Strategic Approach to Internal Curing
- Empathy at the Intersection Exhibit Highlights Inclusion in Design
- T2 Center Launches New Round of Speed Feedback Signs in Connecticut
- CTDOT Develops New Rumble Strips Educational Video
- NEAPWA Chapter Connects: Twin Track Your Facility Asset Management (Video)
- Coffee & Conversation: Best Practices in Green Stormwater Infrastructure (Video)
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The Town of Simsbury is proud to announce that Public Works Director/Town Engineer Tom Roy (pictured 3rd from the left) has been named one of the Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). This national honor recognizes public works professionals for their leadership, expertise, and dedication to improving the quality of life in their communities. With a strong commitment to innovation and service, Tom continues to advance the Town’s infrastructure and operations. This prestigious award is a testament to his impactful work and unwavering dedication to the field.
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On May 1, 2025, the Town of Manchester celebrated the retirement of Jim Mayer (pictured on the left), a valued member of the Traffic Signal Circuit Rider (TSCR) Program Advisory Committee. Throughout his service, Jim shared his expertise and served as a strong advocate for educational programs that support public works professionals across the state. In recognition of his dedication and contributions to the field, Jim was honored with an award of appreciation. His leadership and commitment have left a lasting impact on the community and the profession. Congratulations, Jim!
| | Let us celebrate your department's successes with our CT Public Works community. Please email Regina Hackett your agency's great news and we will publish it in an upcoming newsletter. | | Celebrating Connecticut's Public Works Professionals | | In honor of National Public Works Week, we are proud to share a special tribute video recognizing the dedication, purpose, and impact of Connecticut’s public works professionals. From maintaining vital infrastructure to supporting community safety and quality of life, your contributions are essential every day of the year. | | Thank you to all of the hardworking individuals who serve with pride and purpose across our state! | | | | |
Danielle Greenier, Town of Watertown
Danielle Greenier stands out as a vital asset to the Town of Watertown’s Department of Public Works, where she currently serves as Clerk for the Highway Division. Danielle began her tenure with the Town of Watertown three years ago as an Administrative Assistant in the Engineering Division of Public Works. In this role, she quickly demonstrated strong technical aptitude and an eagerness to take on additional responsibilities. Her scope of work grew to include computer programming, grant writing, and supporting operations at the Highway Division during a vacancy in the Clerk position.
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In January 2024, Danielle was appointed to the full-time role of Clerk for the Highway Division. Since assuming this position, she has played a transformative role in modernizing the division’s operations. She has brought the 21st century to a facility that had remained largely unchanged since the 1950s by updating and organizing filing systems, computer infrastructure, and procedures. Among her notable contributions is the implementation of an innovative storm dispatching system. She developed a computer program and integrated a wall-mounted monitor to track vehicles, equipment, and personnel during storms and emergency events.
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May is Bicycle Safety Month
It is that time of year again when the weather starts to get warm, and we see more and more bicyclists on Connecticut roadways. To bring attention to these vulnerable road users, the month of May is Bicycle Safety Month. To highlight why we need to bring awareness to bicycle safety, we can look to the most recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA shows us that in 2023, there were 1166 bicyclists killed and an estimated 49,489 riders injured nationwide on our roadways. Our partners at the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center (CTSRC) reported that in our state in 2023, there were 5 fatal collisions with bicyclists and a reported 349 injuries. We need to do our part, whether we are walking, driving our vehicles, or riding our bicycles, to reduce these numbers.
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NHTSA has come up with a few quick tips to help all road users increase bicycle safety and bring the collisions with bicycles that cause these injuries and fatalities to ZERO. Bicycles are considered vehicles, which means bicyclists are required to follow the same rules of the road as drivers, and drivers should treat them as they would other vehicles.
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Concrete Innovation - ODOT's Strategic Approach to Internal Curing
A look at the Oregon DOT’s strategy for implementing internally cured concrete.
Concrete is commonly used in bridge deck construction, and while it offers many advantages, a long-standing problem is its susceptibility to cracks. Shrinkage cracks, a type of cracking that occurs as concrete loses moisture and shrinks during drying, provide a path for water and other ions to the concrete’s interior. Over time, this leads to unplanned maintenance to address the cracking and preserve the structural integrity of the bridge.
The Every Day Counts round seven (EDC-7) enhancing performance with internally cured concrete (EPIC2) initiative is advancing internal curing as a remedy for shrinkage cracking issues in higher-performance concretes. Internal curing uses materials such as lightweight fine aggregates (a type of sand) to provide a source of moisture from inside the concrete as it cures, unlike conventional curing where water is supplied on the concrete’s surface. The result is a more uniform cure that resists cracks and improves durability—extending bridge deck lifespans by 25 to 50 years.
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Empathy at the Intersection Exhibit Highlights Inclusion in Design
The T2 Center showcased the Empathy at the Intersection Exhibit at two recent events, partnering with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) at the 2025 MassDOT Transportation Innovation Conference in Worcester, MA, and at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Spring Meeting in Hartford, CT.
| This interactive exhibit allowed participants to experience a simulated intersection using vision impairment goggles, total vision loss masks, and an aging simulation suit. These tools offered powerful insight into the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and age-related impairments, emphasizing the need for inclusive and thoughtful roadway design. | |
T2 Center Launches New Round of Speed Feedback Signs in Connecticut
All of us at the T2 Center know what an important issue speeding continues to be on our Connecticut roadways.
Due to the success of our Speed Feedback Sign Program, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has approved funding for the T2 Center Safety Circuit Rider (SCR) team to provide the following (free of charge):
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- Two additional Speed Feedback Signs to each of the Connecticut Municipalities and our two Tribal Communities. Yes, you heard it right, every single city and town! We will be using the 12” signs for this round.
- An opportunity to participate in a one-day Speed Management training to help you build your toolkit of safety countermeasures to address speed in your community!
Our SCR team, Jason Hughes and Shawn Barry, will be outreaching to all our towns over the coming year to schedule time to meet with you and deliver your signs. Speed Management training will be held in the Fall.
The T2 Team could not be more excited to launch the next round of this important work, and we are so grateful to CTDOT for the opportunity to support you with this program.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Jason Hughes, Safety Technical Associate, or Shawn Barry, Safety Technical Associate.
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CTDOT Develops New Rumble Strips Educational Video
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has launched a new Rumble Strips educational video to help promote the safety benefits of rumble strips. We encourage you to share this video in your communities.
| | More Stories and Resources | | NEAPWA Chapter Connects: Twin Track Your Facility Asset Management (Video) | |
Check out the latest installment in the American Public Works Association's (APWA) New England Chapter Connects virtual learning series: Twin Track Your Facility Asset Management. This engaging session explores practical strategies for managing facility assets more efficiently, with a focus on combining operational and capital planning approaches.
Whether you're just starting to build your asset management program or looking to improve existing practices, this video offers valuable insights for public works professionals at every level.
| |  | Coffee & Conversation: Best Practices in Green Stormwater Infrastructure (Video) | |
The latest Coffee & Conversation webinar is now available! In this session, presenters share practical insights and proven strategies for implementing green stormwater infrastructure in your community. From bioswales and rain gardens to permeable pavements, learn how these sustainable approaches can improve water quality, reduce flooding, and enhance urban spaces.
This video is a must-watch for public works professionals, engineers, and planners looking to integrate environmentally friendly practices into stormwater management.
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Connecticut Training and Technical Assistance Center
University of Connecticut
270 Middle Turnpike, Unit 5202
Storrs, CT 06269-5202
Phone: 860-486-9373
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