Politics & Government

Info Meeting Thurs. on Changes to North/East Aves. Intersection

The state wants to widen North Avenue at its intersection with East Avenue on the eastbound side so that two lanes of traffic can travel straight ahead.

Connecticut Department of Transportation officials plan to widen North Avenue on the west side of its intersection with East Avenue (behind St. Paul's Church on the Green).

The widening will take place across the street from the church side (to the north, on North Avenue) and allow for two lanes of traffic to drive through the intersection (toward Stew Leonard's).

Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2016 if the state can still get the funding for the project (of which 80 percent is expected to be picked up by the federal government).

Here's a news release sent out by the state Department of Transportation:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) will conduct a Public Informational Meeting concerning the proposed improvements at the Route 1 (North Avenue/Westport Avenue) and Rt. 53 (East Avenue) intersection on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 (Snow Date: Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014) in Room 101 of the Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave., Norwalk, Connecticut.

An open forum for individual discussions with Department officials will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a formal presentation at 7 p.m. The project is identified as State Project No. 102-325.  

The purpose of the project is to provide safety and traffic operational improvements by adding an exclusive eastbound left-turn lane on Rt. 1 at its intersection with Rt. 53. 

Rt. 1 is comprised of two lanes in the eastbound direction throughout the project area, but the left travel lane turns into a left-turn lane at the intersection.  This lane arrangement forces through-traffic to unexpectedly merge right, into one lane, on the eastbound approach causing a bottleneck situation.   

Rt. 1 will be widened along the northern edge to realign the exclusive left-turn lane and allow the eastbound two lane traffic approaching the intersection to continue through without having to merge into one lane.  Widening on the northern side will avoid historical impacts to the cemetery located on the southwest quadrant of the intersection. 

Minor widening at the corners of Rt. 53 will also accommodate radius improvements.   The overall improvement will impact the existing overhead utilities along the northern side of Rt. 1. 

Sliver acquisitions are anticipated on three properties to provide for the roadway widening and radius improvements.  In addition, two defined traffic easements are required for reconstruction of wheelchair ramps and a right to construct a driveway and reset the guiderailing. 

Minor drainage adjustments will be required to move to the new curb-line locations.  It is anticipated that one retaining wall will be needed for the proposed improvements, at the northeast corner of the intersection.   Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2016 based on the availability of funding. 

The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $1.2 million.  This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 80 percent Federal funds and 20 percent state funds.  

The public informational meeting is being held to afford a full opportunity for public participation and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning this proposed project.  

The meeting facility is ADA accessible.  Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department’s Office of Communications (voice only) at (860) 594-3062 at least five working days prior to the meeting. 

Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public, and efforts will be made to respond to requests for assistance. Plans of the proposed project will be on display for public review. 

Department personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss this project.  More detailed information is available at the Department’s Office of Engineering, 2800 Berlin Tpk., Newington, Connecticut, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4: p.m., excluding holidays. 

Anyone wishing to discuss the project may contact Mr. Timothy M. Wilson at (860) 594-3189 or by e-mail at Timothy.Wilson@ct.gov. Plans are also available for review at the Norwalk City Hall.


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