After several high-profile pedestrian deaths in Hartford this year, officials seeking to bolster safety for city bicyclists, walkers and joggers welcomed the announcement of $19 million for safety improvements Friday.

“You got to feel safe when you’re walking, biking and transiting through the city,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy at a press conference on North Main St. in the North End. “Thirty percent of residents in Hartford don’t have a car. That means a lot of people are walking to work.”

Murphy, flanked by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, U.S. Rep. John Larson, city leaders and activists, announced a $19 million federal grant to improve pedestrian safety among one of the busiest streets in the North End. The dollars come from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and expanded under President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

The improvements are part of the city’s North Main Streetscape and Multimodal Transportation Project, set to begin after 15 years of studies and planning, that are slated to extend from Earle Street to the Windsor town line. Improvements include improved curbs and sidewalks, landscaping, bus stop alterations, updated traffic signals, decorative lighting and bicycle facilities along North Main Street.

City officials hope the improvements will better connect residents to employment, educational, and recreational opportunities and offer a boost to local businesses.

“This is a project that has been a long time coming and a long time in the works,” Bronin said in front of the popular Tropix Caribbean Grille. “We are here on North Main Street, which is a major commercial road. It is home to small businesses and larger employers. It’s at the heart of the neighborhood and, as you can see, it’s in desperate need of some love and care. Today we’re able to tell the people of Hartford and this neighborhood that this street is going to undergo some major renovations to make it safer, more attractive, and more welcoming. This will help build a healthier, stronger business climate for our great small businesses that are here and help strengthen this neighborhood as a whole.”

Bronin said work on the project is set to begin by next spring and will likely take about two years to complete.

“Last year was the deadliest on record for pedestrians and cyclists — 74 people died on Connecticut streets, that’s double 10 years ago,” Blumenthal said. “Everybody thinks our roads are safer. In fact, our roads are deadlier and more dangerous than ever for pedestrians and bicyclists. This project will help to make them safer. It’s not just to make it look nicer, it will in fact save lives.”

Tropix Caribbean Grille owner Gary Blake, who hosted the press conference, said in addition to the safety the grant will provide, he is hopeful that it will be a boon to the whole neighborhood.

“When I started Tropix, everyone said ‘Don’t do it. Don’t go to North Main St,'” Blake said. “But I’m happy we did. Safety, access, and community is what we’re building here. We can’t wait for this.”