Traffic Panel Addresses Crosswalks, Stop Signs 

By Andrew Gorosko

A local woman who has long sought to have the town better control traffic problems on Queen Street is complimenting the Police Commission on the recent installation of a “raised crosswalk” on Glover Avenue, near Meadow Road.

Resident Lisa Floros of 32 Queen Street on October 7 told Police Commission members that the raised crosswalk on Glover Avenue is an effective traffic control device. The Police Commission is the local traffic authority.

“It’s working,” Ms Floros said.

Ms Floros’ son, Tom, age 12, also said the raised crosswalk is effective device for pedestrian safety when he walks on it in his travels.

In September, the town installed the raised crosswalk, which consists of a broad speed bump, known as a “speed table,” upon which a crosswalk is painted. The highly visible device is designed to slow traffic to allow pedestrians to safely cross the street.

Ms Floros told Police Commission members that the presence of the raised crosswalk causes motorists to slow their vehicles when crossing over it. About 80 percent of motorists will stop for pedestrians who use the raised crosswalk to cross the street, she said. State law requires motorists to yield to pedestrians who are in crosswalks.

Ms Floros asked Police Commission members when the raised crosswalk planned for Queen Street will be installed.

That device will be installed somewhat north of the existing Queen Street crosswalk near Newtown Middle School. It will replace the existing nearby crosswalk.

Town Public Works Director Fred Hurley said October 10 that the town plans to install the Queen Street raised crosswalk by the end of October, provided that it receives all required construction materials by then. Raised crosswalks are portable structures that are bolted to the pavement for use, as needed.

Ms Floros also asked about the status of some speed tables proposed for installation on the southern section of Queen Street.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said town officials would evaluate the effectiveness of the raised crosswalks on Glover Avenue and on northern Queen Street before deciding how to proceed on installation of speed tables on southern Queen Street.

Ms Floros urged that before any speed tables are installed on southern Queen Street, the town study how such devices would affect traffic flow on the adjacent Elizabeth Street and Lovell’s Lane.

Ms Floros’ home is near the intersection of Queen Street and Elizabeth Street.

Pearl Street

In another traffic matter at the October 7 session, resident Carly Posey of Pearl Street told commission members that motorists drive too fast on Pearl Street in Sandy Hook, endangering school children in the area.

Pearl Street is in the Tilson Woods residential subdivision. It links Washington Avenue to Philo Curtis Road.

Although there is a stop sign on the dead-end Charlie’s Circle where it meets Pearl Street, there are no stop signs on Pearl Street at that intersection, Ms Posey said. Also, there are no “speed limit” signs posted in the area, she said.

Ms Posey requested that the town post stop signs for both eastbound and westbound traffic on Pearl Street at its intersection with Charlie’s Circle, to make the intersection a three-way stop. She said such an arrangement would make it safer for her children whom she helps cross Pearl Street for school bus use.

“[Motorists] have to be going 50 miles per hour. It makes me nervous,” she said of Pearl Street traffic.

Acting Police Commission Chairman Robert Connor said police will perform a traffic study on that area to determine how to improve conditions.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said police will investigate what “traffic calming” measures could be taken to improve the situation, including posting speed limit signs.