To The Editor:

Ask anyone in Newtown about traffic: it is getting worse, and we need to take action.

Newtown has made a good start. Our planning process identified traffic congestion as the town’s most significant concern. The Economic Development Commission contracted with VN Engineering for a traffic calming study (SS4A Report) in 2025 and The Legislative Council along with our First Selectman, Bruce Walczak, formed a Transportation Work Group in early 2026. What we need now is the support of the state and our representative in Hartford.

First, Newtown should rank our ten worst traffic bottlenecks; we have the data.

Second, our elected State Representative should work aggressively with CTDOT and WestCOG on Route 25, Route 34 and the I-84 interchanges. There is state funding for these projects, we need to apply.

Third, we should synchronize traffic signals along major corridors and adjust timing for morning rush hour, school dismissal and evening traffic. We should add turn lanes and improve intersection design.

Finally, Newtown should address GPS-driven cut-through traffic. The town should work with mapping companies to direct traffic onto appropriate arterial roads, not residential streets.

Residents deserve accountability. We need to elect a new State Representative who is willing to access state funding and implement a traffic action plan.

Michelle Ku, our Democratic Candidate for the State House of Representatives, is currently the most active local official pursuing a transportation strategy for Newtown, in her role as chair of the Legislative Council's Transportation Planning Committee and through her campaign proposals for State Representative.

It is time to elect Michelle Ku for State House of Representatives. She will make decisions, pursue funding and get projects built.

Jill Soderholm

Newtown