In the aftermath of the recent Paul Bunyan activity near the Merritt, a group of interested Westporters, Norwalkers and Fairfielders — not all of whom live near the parkway — have done some letter-writing.
They wanted to know whether new trees — less prone to fall over and kill people — would be planted once the dangerous ones were removed.
The Merritt Parkway before…
They contacted state representatives and the Department of Transportation.
The answer was “yes.”
There will be short trees and shrubs that “give” easily.
The new, improved vegetation is not only to prevent deaths by landing on cars, but also to prevent deaths when cars run off the road and smash into them. That happens a lot more than trees toppling in high winds and hurricanes.
The stumps that line the roadside now will be removed “soon.”
Homeowners hope the planting takes place “soon,” as well. They (and the new Y) are pretty exposed, following the recent cutting.
The DOT is working with the Merritt Parkway Conservancy on this project.
At the same time, DOT plans to replace all rusted metal guard rails with reinforced wood ones.
Hopefully they too will “give” when drivers plow into them.