While Westport’s attention is focused on the Cribari Bridge — and the traffic issues that already plague Saugatuck — an “06880” reader urges us not to forget about the “worst intersection” in town (and perhaps the state).
That is, of course, the cluster**** that is Riverside Avenue, Wilton Road and Post Road West. The reader writes:
Below is a 5 p.m. Google Maps screenshot of “live” traffic on the Tuesday of school vacation last week.
Wilton Road at top; Riverside Avenue at bottom; Post Road West cutting through.
I can only imagine how red the lines will be now that schools are back in session, and everyone rushes to get home from school, work and play.
A quick AI search on “06880” turns up several suggestions, offered in the past:
Traffic Officers: Some suggest assigning police officers or traffic agents to direct traffic, especially during peak hours. This has been noted to significantly improve traffic flow at similar problematic intersections, such as the Cribari Bridge. (Click here for a previous “06880” story.)
Traffic Light Timing and Configuration: Many readers suggest altering the timing of traffic lights to allow for better flow. One idea is to have green lights for only one direction at a time (e.g., green for northbound Wilton Road traffic only, then green for Post Road West traffic only; then green only for the other 3 streets, moving counter-clockwise one at a time. That would prevent backups caused by cars waiting to turn while opposing traffic is also trying to move. (Click here for a previous “06880” story.)
Installing a left-turn arrow for cars on Wilton Road turning onto Post Road West has also been suggested. (Click here for a previous “06880” story.)
An all-too-typical scene on Wilton Road.
Road Widening and Lane Adjustments: Past opportunities were missed to widen the road or create turning lanes by acquiring properties at the intersection corners. While difficult now, widening the road, particularly at the intersection of Wilton Road and the Post Road, could create a much-needed right turning lane. (Click here for a previous “06880” story.)
Many of these suggestions involve state roads, which means changes require the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s planning, funding, and approval. (Click here for a previous “06880” story.)
In the mid-2010s, David Waldman proposed a creative solution: move the building at the corner northwest corner of Wilton Road and the Post Road — at that point, it was a liquor store — to create a turning lane.
Town officials turned him down.
Now, in 2026, the state is looking to acquire 77 square feet with eminent domain at the same location, according to recent media reports.
The Department of Transportation would install Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalks ramps, and a pedestrian push button there.
Aerial view of the intersection — without, remarkably, any traffic.
But instead of incremental tweaks to lights and sidewalks, why don’t we take time — and perhaps one of the Cribari Bridge Committees — to engage with DOT and the town, for a holistic look at the intersection for more permanent solutions?
It may be expensive to buy and/or move buildings (including, perhaps, the one at the foot of Post Road West on the eastbound side, where traffic turns sharply onto Riverside Avenue). That’s another solution proposed in the past.
But unless we build another bridge, in addition to the Cribari Bridge changes or bore a tunnel under the Saugatuck River, the traffic problems will continue to get worse in Westport.
Who is interested in shaping another solution to make Westport safer and faster?
(“06880” regularly covers transportation, local politics, real estate — and, like today, their “intersection.” If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
I’ll write more later, but I live 1/2 block from this intersection and I just had a meeting last week at town hall about this specific problem, this is maybe one of the easiest traffic problems to improve in our town. More later….
Westport pd really needs to train the traffic agents. One or two of them really do a good job and keep traffic moving . The rest are horrible and just sit at the control box pushing buttons. Yesterday was horrible , and it wasn’t the competent agent. The difference could mean 5-10 versus 20-30 minutes to get from one side of the train station to the other and the the bridge.
Preserving the Cribari Bridge makes the traffic at this intersection much worse by directing all trucks bound for this side of Westport up Route 33. Supporting preservation of the outmoded Cribari Bridge is supporting the continued degradation of traffic congestion and safety on this entire side of town. You can’t have it both ways.
The loud but tiny minority of people obsessed with the issue are the same types who opposed the Hamlet and will now leave us with a bland, Soviet-style apartment block instead of a neighborhood revitalization. Remember that.
Hold on, now. The Hamlet was wrong in so many ways, including the inexperience and incompetence of the developers, their disregard for the community, their exploitation of investors, and their aggressive napoleonic attorney.
didnt the town have an opportunity to buy 1 wilton road and make a third lane to turn from wilton road to post road south and chose not to? traffic in this town is laughable, and summer hasnt started yet….