Town officials have already discussed a variety of uses for Westport’s $8.4 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds: the jetty at Burying Hill Beach, aid to non-profit organizations, and plans for low-density affordable housing.
Next up: traffic mitigation.
Specifically: roundabouts.
A new traffic pattern — circular, around a central island — has long been proposed for the Weston Road/Main Street/Easton Road cluster*** near Merritt Parkway Exit 42.
The very confusing — and dangerous — Main Street/Weston Road/Easton Road intersection.
Soon, the Board of Selectwomen and Public Works Department will request money to make that a reality.
As well as 5 other notoriously bad intersections in town.
Roundabouts will be proposed for:
- The notorious “worst in the state” Post Road/Riverside Avenue/Wilton Road mess
- Riverside Avenue and Bridge Street, at the foot of the Cribari Bridge
- The Compo Shopping Center (“CVS”)/Compo Acres (“Trader Joe’s”) misaligned entrances/exits on the Post Road
- The nearly-as-bad Compo Acres exit onto South Compo Road, at the west end of the plaza
- The North Avenue/Cross Highway 4-way stop, midway between 4 Westport schools.
A roundabout in the Post Road would prevent cars from entering the wrong way.
“We understand that while the Merritt Parkway project is fairly straightforward, with plans already designed, the others are more complex,” the Board of Selectwomen say in a prepared statement.
“In fact, all of the others will involve taking some land by eminent domain. The Wilton Road and Cribari Bridge projects, for example, may necessitate the removal of some already existing buildings.
“While eminent domain is not necessarily the easiest path to pursue, we believe that ultimately these improvements will benefit all Westporters. We pledge to work with any affected businesses to find new locations, and to do so in a way that lessens any adverse impact on them.”
The statement adds, “While we know some of these designs will be tight, we are confident that our professionals can make them work.”
The proposal goes next to the Planning & Zoning Commission, then the RTM. Click here to see drawings of all 6 roundabouts.
Due to space constraints, Westport’s roundabout islands would not be as large as this example.
