Date: Fri 11-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-New-Lebbon-High-Bridge

Full Text:

P&Z Considers Relocation Of Road Intersection

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering a proposal to

relocate the intersection of New Lebbon Road and High Bridge Road to improve

traffic safety.

First Selectman Robert Cascella presented the proposal to P&Z members at a

July 2 meeting.

The P&Z is being asked to recommend whether the intersection should be

relocated. The selectmen will then vote on whether New Lebbon Road should

intersect with High Bridge Road about 300 feet west of the existing

intersection. If the selectmen agree to such a change, the Legislative Council

would vote on whether to abandon a roughly 525-foot section of New Lebbon Road

which now approaches High Bridge Road.

At a past meeting between police and members of the New Lebbon/Beagle Trail

Neighborhood Association, residents told police they consider the existing

intersection to be hazardous due to the very limited sight lines which

motorists have while looking eastward when exiting New Lebbon Road onto High

Bridge Road.

Mr Cascella proposes that the intersection of New Lebbon Road and High Bridge

Road be shifted to the west to provide better sight lines for motorists.

Such work would be accomplished on existing town-owned property, he said.

Also, that work would be done by Blakeman Construction, LLC, a construction

firm which is in the process of building the nearby Rollingwood residential

development.

Drainage improvements would be made, the first selectman said. The section of

New Lebbon Road which now meets High Bridge Road would be permanently closed

to traffic.

The Police Commission, serving as the town's Traffic Authority, has endorsed

relocating the intersection, Mr Cascella told P&Z members.

Changing the intersection's location is a public safety issue, he said, adding

that a change is being sought to prevent a serious accident from happening.

Objections

Resident Neil Baldino of 23 High Bridge Road said he opposes relocating the

intersection.

Relocating the intersection would put the new intersection within 40 yards of

his property, Mr Baldino said.

Mr Baldino objected to: clearing land for new road construction; potential

pollution problems that might result from the project; damaged aesthetics;

decreased privacy, as well as negative effects an intersection relocation

might have on the future marketability of his home, among other concerns.

Mr Baldino suggested other measures to improve traffic safety at the existing

intersection. He suggested the use of a stop sign on High Bridge Road, as well

as mounting a parabolic traffic mirror across High Bridge Road from New Lebbon

Road to enhance traffic visibility.

Mr Baldino asked what steps the town would take to improve traffic safety if

it didn't have the use of town-owned land for creation of a new intersection.

He asked that the town relocate a new intersection only 20 or 30 feet to the

west instead of 300 feet westward.

Resident Gary Walter of 45 New Lebbon Road said he's lived at that address for

more than a year. Mr Walter said he's had a few "close calls" at the

intersection. Overgrowth in the area now makes the view even more limited than

usual, he said.

"Something obviously has to be done," he said.

Relocating the intersection wouldn't necessarily devalue the Baldino property,

Mr Walter said.

Iris Baldino of 23 High Bridge Road suggested that the town post a Stop Ahead

sign and a Stop sign on westbound High Bridge Road to improve traffic safety.

Resident Jean Marie Hoover of 21 High Bridge Road said traffic on that road is

fast, adding that travel speed is at the heart of the problem. The area is

posted for 30 mph.

P&Z Chairman Stephen Koch noted that two P&Z members weren't at the July 2

meeting, adding he would prefer that a recommendation on the intersection

relocation proposal be made when those members are present.

The P&Z may form a recommendation on the proposal July 24, he said.