Norwalk will improve its sidewalks along a 2.8-mile stretch of West Rocks Road between Route 1 and Route 7, which will make it safer for the many students who walk to West Rocks Middle School and All Saints Catholic School.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Rep. Jim Himes visited West Rocks Middle School in Norwalk Monday to announce $1.4 million in federal funding for the construction and rehabilitation of sidewalks in the city.

"Too often we get those calls about a pedestrian or a bike rider who has been seriously injured because we're not doing enough to make our cities walkable, rideable," said Himes. "This is an opportunity for us to get just a little piece of that back to transform our cities, our towns and our neighborhoods."

About 200 kids from West Rocks Middle School walk to school every day. The school's principal hopes improvements will encourage more kids to exercise.

"This project and new sidewalks will enable all of those 200 and plus, hopefully we can get a few more in there to walk to and from school safely," said West Rocks Middle School Principal Adam Reynolds.

Lamont says plans for sidewalks on both sides of the street will also give walkers more options.

"Allows you to visit other schools, allows you to get around. Makes this a walkable city," said Lamont.

The city says it is getting bids from construction companies and the project is going to start sometime next year.

Norwalk is also expected to include a bike route along that same stretch of West Rocks Road.