SLOW DOWN,and read below.
Please click here to read RTM member, Cristin McCarthy Vahey's letter to Ken Flatto addressing the safety issues of the intersection at Melville and Fairfield Woods.
- The potential arrival of Walgreens at the four corner: Fairfield Woods and the Stratfield Road.
The problem: The IGA catered to primarily the neighborhood. A Walgreens advertises in many local papers, enticing their desired 20,000 customers to drive from some distances away to shop at their stores for bargains in items ranging from drugs, toiletries, electronics, and many other items. The increase in traffic to this intersection will be substantial. The SVA is preparing to conduct a traffic study to show the impact of a Walgreens on this intersection. If we lose the Walgreens fight, the town or state will be required to modify the intersection to accomodate the increase in traffic. If we win, we will have called attention to any existing problems with our traffic study and engineering report.
- The crossing at the four corners: Fairfield Woods and The Stratfield Road
After the perseverance of a neighbor and new SVA member, the DOT has increased the time of that crossing signal from 25 to 30 seconds. The illuminated symbol of a walking person will remain in place for the same amount of time as before (7 seconds,) but the flashing red hand will be elongated by the additional 5 seconds to 23 seconds.
- The Stratfield Road crosswalk at the Unquowa School.
The problem: Cars rarely stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk,and drive through at a high rate of speed. There was also a traffic study conducted by the town, with the state consulted on the results, and the road there was subsequently narrowed by a a few feet just last year, as it was the widest section of the Stratfield Road. There have also been talks with the Unquowa School about adjusting their entrance and exit patterns. An island in the middle could alleviate the problem further. - The stopsign intersection at Church Hill, Wilson, & Fairfield Woods
The problem: This intersection is often hard to maneuver, and frequently cars blow through without stopping. Our RTM reps met with the town about crosswalks and sidewalks. We did get a crosswalk. Because it is such a residential intersection, they were not interested in a stop light. Another option is, again, an island, or narrowing the entrances of each road. - The arrival of a third Train Station
The full effects of this proposed third Train station are unknown, but the Stratfield Road will be a direct route from this train station to the Merritt Parkway. This may be Stratfield's biggest issue in the near future.
We need interested people to form a traffic and safety committee.
Do you have traffic concerns in your neighborhood? Let us know and hopefully we can work with the town to get them resolved.
Email: stratfieldvillage@yahoo.com