Date: Fri 30-Jun-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

a5-FHH-truck-traffic-sewer

Full Text:

STATE REJECTS TOWN REQUEST FOR FHH TRUCK TRAFFIC

A town request to the state to open up the Fairfield Hills Hospital campus to

through-truck traffic has been turned down by the State Traffic Commission.

The town had made the request to alleviate potential traffic tie-ups in

central Newtown while sewers are being installed there.

Through-truck traffic at Fairfield Hills has been banned for the past decade.

Mile Hill Road, the most heavily travelled road on the campus, links Route 25

to Route 34 and Interstate-84. Using the campus roads as a detour while sewer

construction is underway is viewed by town officials as a way to lessen

traffic on Main Street, South Main Street and Church Hill Road.

In reviewing the town's request to open the campus to through trucks, the

state Department of Transportation's traffic engineering section determined

that campus roads aren't able to safely handle such traffic.

First Selectman Robert Cascella said ½We are going to continue to press for

another appeal.¾

Mr Cascella said the town will make a strong case to the state if the state

agrees to reconsider the town's request to open Fairfield Hills roads to

through-truck traffic.

½How many years did trucks go through there while the hospital had a much

larger population? They have a police force which strictly enforces speed

limits. I can't understand the state's logic,¾ Mr Cascella said.

½With sewer construction on our streets, It's a safety issue for the town,¾ he

said.

The state plans to build a bypass road on the hospital campus to improve

traffic flow between Route 25, Route 34 and Interstate-84. The bypass road

will be open to through-truck traffic. Bypass road construction is slated to

start in 1996.