Tag Archives: Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force

Traffic & Safety Task Force: 6 Months Of Progress; More Work Ahead

Posted on May 30, 2025 | 23 comments

Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member Andrew Colabella attended last night’s Traffic & Safety Task Force meeting.

Members provided an update to residents. The group meets twice a year publicly, but are always available to address concerns and asnwer questions. Andrew reports:

Since their inception in April 2022, the Traffic & Safety Task Force has been very active. Among their achievements:

Grants

Safe Streets for All: The Safety Action Plan is complete, and the implementation grant application is in preparation.

STEAP Grant: The Greens Farms Elementary School sidewalks contract has been awarded, and construction is complete.

LOTCIP Projects (Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program):

  • Main Street – Compo Road North sidewalks: Construction is complete.
  • Compo Road South sidewalks (from Post Road East to Bridge Street): Final design plans are being reviewed by the state Department of Transportation. Construction is expected this fall or next spring.
  • Easton Road sidewalks (from Weston Road to Coleytown Road).

BIG Project: The Compo Road North sidewalk project is underway. Other potential incidental projects include a demonstration project that closes Taylor Place to vehicles, creating a pedestrian-only area. This has been approved as a LOTCIP project for funding. Preliminary talks are underway with various departments, including CDOT.

Town Projects

Cross Highway Traffic Improvements:

Phase 1: Signage has been installed. There have been many positive comments from the public.

Phase 2: Construction of the sidewalk from Wakeman Farm Lane to Bayberry Lane is 95% complete.

Phase 3: Construction of the sidewalk from North Avenue to Wakeman Farm Lane is scheduled for this year.

Phase 4: Construction of the Cross Highway culver over Deadman Brook is scheduled for the summer of 2026.

New signage at Cross Highway and Bayberry Lane includes flashing lights.

Compo Road South at Longshore, near Compo Parkway: Construction of the crosswalk and rapid flashing beacon is almost complete.

Imperial Avenue at Baker Avenue: Retrofit of the crosswalk and rapid flashing beacon is underway. CTDOT is finalizing the design. Construction is scheduled for this year.

Riverside Avenue improvements in Saugatuck Center: Funding has been approved for mid-block crosswalks and traffic signals. The design is in progress.

School Zones across town: Signage has recently been installed in school zones.

Stop sign on Edge Hill Lane: This stop sign is being addressed.

Stop sign to replace yield sign on Salem Lane at Salem Road: This is also being addressed, with MPH and curve to be included.

Approval for mid-block crosswalk and rapid flashing beacon on Easton Road at Wisteria Lane: The design is in progress. The project is working with property owners.

Riverside Avenue at Railroad Place: A new stop sign is being installed to replace the yield sign.

Morningside Drive South at Hillandale Road: Hillandale has become a 4-way stop.

New chevrons installed on Old Hill Road and Kings Highway North.

Signage improvements are underway on Roseville Road at Whitney St. to increase visibility.

CCGP Projects (Community Connectivity Grant Program):

Hillspoint Road (Compo Hill Avenue to Hales Road): Construction is 99% complete. Shared Lane Marking Route: A grant application has been submitted.

CT DOT Projects (Ongoing and on schedule)

Post Road East improvements (Crescent Road to Roseville Road, and Stop & Shop through Bulkley Avenue North and South).

Routes 57 & 136, Main Street/Weston Road/Easton Road, Merritt Parkway Exit 42 intersection improvements

I-95 Exit 17 Saugatuck Avenue Bridge

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To convey concerns, and work with town departments to analyze and solve issues, or proactively prevent something from becoming an issue.

Traffic enforcement requests: https://www.westportct.gov/government/departments-a-z/police-department/request-for-traffic-enforcement

All other traffic safety concerns:

https://www.westportct.gov/government/selectwoman-s-office/traffic-pedestrian-safety/submit-a-traffic-safety-concern

Police Department Non-Emergency 203-341-6000
Public Works 203-341-1120
Selectwoman’s Office 203-341-1111

 

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Posted in Local politics, Transportation, Westport life

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Interactive Town Traffic Map: No, You’re Not Alone

Posted on August 24, 2024 | 13 comments

“No one stops at the stop sign on Long Lots Road, near the High Point Road hill.”

“People always disregard the ‘Do Not Enter’ sign on Wright Street.”

“Put a page on the town website, listing all construction work, road work, tree work, cable work, etc. Prevent bottlenecks before they happen!”

Those are 3 of the more than 1,850 suggestions, comments, complaints and ideas posted to an interactive map of Westport.

Screenshot of the interactive traffic safety map. Orange is a “thumbs-down” icon; gray is for “idea,” while the few blue icons are for “thumbs-up.” Seems like the only place in town without a traffic issue is Sherwood Island State Park.

Among the most popular subjects: sidewalks, crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights, left-turn signals, speed humps, and roundabouts.

The brainchild of the town’s Traffic and Pedestrian Task Force, the map was developed by consultants Tighe & Bond. The project — part of Westport’s Safe Streets & Roads for All Safety Action Plan — went live in February.

Comments are now closed.

The task force has been processing the public input, examining motor vehicle and pedestrian accident data, and pinpointing overlaps between those records and areas of concern.

Results will be presented at the next public information meeting, this fall.

Meanwhile, you can look at the map — with its 1,850-plus comments — yourself. Click here, click “View the Map,” click on an icon, zoom in, and realize you’re not the only one with an issue.

Or a genius idea.

(“06880” can’t solve Westport’s traffic woes. But we sure can report on them. And we do — often — along with every other aspect of town life. But we need reader support! Please click here — and thank you!)

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Posted in Police, Transportation, Westport life

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Roundup: Traffic Task Force, Compo Beach Playground, Halloween Weekend …

Posted on October 27, 2023 | 4 comments

Two dozen residents heard an update last night from the Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force, at Town Hall.

Representatives from the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments, and town operations director Tom Kiely, offered updates on the coordinated effort to identify and address trouble spots.

They provided statistics — 491 special enforcement details over the past 6 months, and 2,526 traffic stops — along with tangible actions, like a new 4-way stop sign at Hillandale and West Parish Roads, and sidewalks on Main Street, Compo Road North and Cross Highway.

Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force members (from left): Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan, Police Staff Corporal Al D’Amura, Deputy Police Chief Ryan Paulsson, town operations director Tom Kiely, town engineer Keith Wilberg, Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich. 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker also attended. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Then many residents offered trouble spots of their own.

Several mentioned Kings Highway North (east of the speed humps). Others  spoke about Bayberry Lane, Imperial Avenue, Thomas Avenue, and Harbor Road on Saugatuck Shores.

A resident wants a traffic agent at Treadwell Avenue starting at 3 p.m., to handle Saugatuck Rowing Club traffic.

One person asked police to teach children about pedestrian safety. Another wondered how Westporters can help push the state Department of Transportation to move beyond its glacial pace. (One example: The town has been requesting left-turn arrows at the Compo Road South/Greens Farms Road/Bridge Street light for 3 years.)

One resident suggested painting “Don’t block the box” rectangles at intersections like Post Road West/Riverside Avenue/Wilton Road, then installing cameras and fining miscreants.

Another wondered why she never sees police ticketing drivers who run red lights on the Post Road near Trader Joe’s and Compo Road.

One Westporter urged Public Works to request more staff.

Last night’s meeting followed 9 other Task Force sessions — one for each Representative Town Meeting district — last year, and a town-wide summary meeting.

“We’ll be back again in 6 months,” promised Deputy Police Chief Ryan Paulsson.

The map on the left shows the location of “enforcement details” between April and October of this year. The one on the right shows the location of traffic stops. (Photos/Dan Woog)

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As planning progresses for the Compo Beach Playground makeover, organizers want Westporters’ input.

From all ages.

The Westport Rotary Club and Westport Young Woman’s League are partnering on the rebuild. They’re the same great groups that developed the original playground in 1986, and renovated it a couple of decades later.

The Compo Beach Playground Rebuild Committee designed a survey to capture ideas. It doesn’t take long. But residents’ input will help create a fun, safe and much-loved playground.

But act soon! The survey closes Monday (October 30). Click here for the link.

Compo Beach playground: ready for a rebuild. (Drone photo/David Szymanski)

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VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 kicks off Halloween weekend tonight (Friday, October 27, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; $5 cover ) with a Happy Hour special.

Beer and wine is $6, with chances at free drinks every hour. The food is (as always) great, and there are prizes for best costumes.

Matt Zako — founder of The City’s Backyard podcast — is host.

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Halloween weekend continues tomorrow (Saturday, October 28, 8 p.m., Westport Library), with a Halloween Concert and Costume Ball.

Costumes are encouraged. Prizes will awarded for best outfits, in several categories. Specialty cocktails, beer and wine complement music by Bella’s Bartok, a funk/pop/folk band.

It is, says the sponsoring Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, an event “to die for.”

Tickets are $20. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Bella’s Bartok

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Speaking of Halloween: Wednesday’s kids’ parade downtown — sponsored by Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, Westport PAL and the Westport Downtown Association — included these trick-or-treaters, at Town Hall.

Quite a scary bunch, no?

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Andrew Wilk’s “Library Medical Series” continues Monday (October 30, 7 p.m., Westport Library), with the second of a 3-part series on the brain.

“Headaches and Migraine: Better Understanding the Diagnosis and New Therapies Available” features Dr. Dario Zagar and Dr. Robert Altbaum. A Q-and-A follows their presentation.

The series is free. Click here to register.

From left: Dr. Robert Altbau, Dr. Dario Zagar, Andrew Wilk.

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The Saugatuck Rowing Club Junior Program had its best-ever overall showing at the Head of The Charles regatta  in Boston this month.

Current and former rowers, now competing for their colleges, contributed to the success.

In a very close finish, the men’s 8+ boat, including Westporters George Bentley, Ben Whelan, Campbell Cohen and Jack Kiely, plus Gavin Marshall of Weston, placed second, behind a late entry from the U.K. That makes them the current fastest men’s youth 8 boat in the US.

The men’s youth 8+ boat.

The women’s U17 4+ boat, with Rylie Cordell and Kate Weitz of Westport, and Anne  Studnicky of Weston, captured gold. That continues SRC’s’ national streak in the category.

The women’s U-17 4+ boat (from left): Grace Baker Kate Weitz, Madeline Casano, Anne Studnicky, Rylie Cordella, coach Cody Silvester.

In other Saugatuck Rowing Club women’s junior news, the public is invited to a special event on November 7 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lululemon).

Rowers from novice and varsity teams will talk about their experiences, and demonstrate their rowing machine workouts. Coaches be available to talk about the benefits of the program. The event includes giveaways from Lululemon and Saugatuck Rowing Club, and treats from GG & Joe’s.

All are invited (schools are not in session, for Election Day).

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Yesterday’s Roundup included a photo of a porta-potty, nestled in one of the Old Mill garages near Sherwood Mill Pond, and the pedestrian path to Compo Cove.

There’s a back story. (There always is.)

A homeowner on the Cove is having work done. Either the bathrooms don’t work, or they don’t want workers using them. So they set up the portable toilet.

Of course, those potties need to be serviced. Vehicles are not allowed on the Cove.

That’s why it’s there, in the garage.

And here is what that cleaning looked like yesterday:


(Photo/Matt Murray)

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Yesterday’s near-80 degree temperature surprised (and delighted) many Westporters.

It also confused at least one lilac. Yulee Aronson captured the scene, for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Yulee Aronson)

Plus, a bonus “Westport … Naturally”: This one is from last night’s flaming sunset.

(Photo/Seth Goltzer)

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And finally … on this day in 1682, the city of Philadelphia was founded by William Penn, a Quaker who advocated for religious freedom.

(If today’s Roundup helped you plan a fun weekend, throw a bone to “06880.” You can click here to make a contribution. We thank you!)

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Posted in Beach, Teenagers

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Traffic Task Force Cites Green, Yellow, Red Bucket Items

Posted on February 1, 2023 | 6 comments

Westport traffic sucks.

It did not take 9 public meetings last spring for town officials to realize that.

But the sessions — one for each RTM district — were informative. 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and officials from the Police, Fire, Public Works and Planning & Zoning Departments listened to complaint after complaint.

Some were general: Speeders! Red light abusers! Unsafe crosswalks!

Others were specific: The South Compo/Greens Farms/Bridge Street light needs work. Prohibiting left turns from the Sherwood Island connector to Greens Farms Road would cut down on Waze drivers. Build sidewalks on North Compo.

A “left-turn only” arrow from South Compo to Bridge Street would make traffic flow as easily as it appears in this image from Google Maps.

All were heard, and noted.

Yesterday — following an extensive review of all 370-plus comments — the Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force issued their report.

“Intersections” drew the most concern (21 percent of comments). Then came sidewalks (16 percent), followed by heavy traffic (13), speeding (12), crosswalks (7), enforcement (4), parking and signage (3 percent each).

The data has been sorted into 3 “buckets,” in terms of priorities. The green (“go!”) bucket is for ongoing projects, those related to scheduled maintenance, and those that would take only a modicum of planning and effort to accomplish.

The second bucket — yellow (“caution!”) — is for projects with longer time frames (a year, to several years). They require more research, planning and permitting.

The third bucket is red (“stop!”). Those projects are outside the town’s jurisdiction, or are too cost-prohibitive or difficult to implement.

The report also notes that since the first meeting last spring, Westport police made 2,319 traffic stops targeting areas of concern. They wrote 729 citations, and made 17 arrests for driving under the influence, plus 16 misdemeanor arrests for traffic-related offenses.

Another result of the meetings was the formation of a Traffic Safety Unit. Based on the 9 RTM meetings, Police Chief Foti Koskinas and his department identified 55 Westport sites where targeted enforcement could help. Some might be where drivers routinely plow through lights or stop signs; others might attract particularly aggressive or fast (even for Westport) drivers.

Tooker says: “As I acknowledged during the course of the meetings, the issues and concerns will not go away overnight. But these meetings and the recognition from all the residents who participated are an important first step.”

Meanwhile, the Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force will continue to meet twice a year.

They’ll have plenty to talk about.

(Click here for the full Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force report. The appendixes include the green, yellow and red bucket items.)

(Stuck in traffic? Consider a donation to “06880.” Please click here — and thank you!)

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