Following two years of pressing at the state level to change the configuration of the pedestrian-unfriendly intersection of Main Street at Locust Avenue, town officials this week announced that New Canaan is prepared to move forward.
Main Street at Locust Avenue on Dec. 1, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan
The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved a $77,244 contract with a Norwalk construction company to “bump out” the sidewalks at the firehouse and thrift shop corners and reduce the walking distance across the intersection there—sight of a very serious motor-vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident two years ago.
“I’m so glad this is finally moving forward,” Selectman Beth Jones said at the meeting, held in Town Hall.
Part of a plan that town public works officials unveiled one year ago included “squaring up” Locust Avenue as it comes into Main so the intersection is shaped like a T rather than a Y.
Tiger Mann, assistant director of the New Canaan Department of Public Works, said that “hardscape” portion of the project will include installation of handicapped ramps, the “bump-out” at the curbs, additional sidewalk work, concrete foundations for pedestals and conduit work. Norwalk’s FGB Construction won a bid for the project, he said.
Town officials also have asked the Connecticut Department of Transportation (Main Street at that stretch is a state road, part of Route 124) to install a pedestrian signal post for people seeking to cross Locust just there. As a result of all that work, the overhead motor vehicle traffic signals’ positioning and timing will need to be adjusted, officials have said.
First Selectman Rob Mallozzi said during the meeting that the approval from state officials has followed months and years of phone calls and trips to meet with them in person.
“And all of this when actually a pedestrian was hurt and almost killed, it has taken such effort on our part—it is disappointing but at least it is getting done,” Mallozzi said.