The Police Commission, in its role as the local traffic authority, is pursuing having the state Department of Transportation (DOT) install a traffic signal at the hazardous four-way intersection of Route 34 (Berkshire Road), Bennetts Bridge Road, and Gray’s Plain Road in Sandy Hook.

At an April 7 session, commission members agreed to pursue installing such a safety feature there after being presented with an Internet petition signed by about 430 people who want a traffic signal installed.

The petition signers want a conventional four-way red-yellow-green traffic signal installed at the intersection to improve travel safety.

The intersection now holds blinker signals to caution motorists that it is a hazardous area. The intersection currently is controlled by stop signs posted on Bennetts Bridge Road and on Gray’s Plain Road.

Travel is hazardous for motorists who are entering Berkshire Road from both Bennetts Bridge Road and from Gray’s Plain Road. A pronounced dip in Berkshire Road, just east of the intersection, makes it difficult to see approaching vehicles.

According to police department statistics, there have been 22 motor vehicle accidents at the intersection during the past five years.

Most recently, during the evening rush on March 11, a four-vehicle accident at the intersection resulted in three people being transported for hospital treatment.

Police Commission Chairman Paul Mangiafico observed, “It’s really an awkward situation, especially with the sight lines. It can be frightening.”

A proposal to install a traffic signal there in 2005 was not approved by the DOT, Mr Mangiafico said. The DOT needs to closely review the need for a traffic signal there, he said.

Commission member Joel Faxon noted that motorists drive fast on Berkshire Road.

“We need to appeal to the state for another look at this” traffic signal proposal, said member Brian Budd. Ultimately, whether a traffic signal is installed there will be the state’s decision, he said.

Mr Mangiafico urged that insistence and specificity be employed toward getting a traffic signal installed.

Member Virgil Procaccini, Jr, said of the intersection, “It’s dangerous. It’s been dangerous for quite a few years.”

Similarly, member Andrew Sachs urged action on the matter.

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) urged that the commission pursue traffic signal installation.

Mr Faxon urged that the commission make DOT aware of the petition drive for a traffic signal.

Public Comment

A group of Sandy Hook residents who use the intersection on a regular basis attended the April 7 Police Commission session to urge commission members to seek DOT support for a traffic signal.

Joanne Amante of Clapboard Ridge Road termed the location a “worrisome intersection,” which has serious visibility and sight line problems. Those signing the petition on the Internet did so during a ten-day period, she noted.

Po Murray of Charter Ridge said that she is “petrified” when she drives through the intersection. She said she also fears for her children’s safety, noting that three of her four children are drivers. She urged the commission to support traffic signal installation.

Resident Richard Stein said that drivers experience many “close calls” at the intersection. “The sight lines are terrible,” he said.

Rhonda Cullens of Founders Lane said the area has experienced an increase in traffic over the years. “It’s a bad intersection…It’s a very hazardous intersection,” she said.

Mr Bolinsky endorsed the traffic signal proposal.

“I’m greatly aware of the dangers of that intersection. There’s horrible sight lines,” said Mr Bolinsky, who also is a driving instructor.

The state representative offered to speak to the DOT commissioner regarding the traffic signal request.

Ironically, several residents noted that the intersection is safer at night than in the daytime for drivers entering Berkshire Road from Bennetts Bridge Road and from Gray’s Plain Road because those drivers are able to see the headlamps of vehicles on Berkshire Road approaching the intersection from the east.

William Monaco of Beckett Village told Police Commission members that the sight lines at the intersection are so poor for drivers entering Berkshire Road that they need to pull into the intersection in order to judge whether it is safe to proceed.

Then, after deciding to enter Berkshire Road, those motorists must drive quickly and hope that they made the right decision, he said.

Police Commission members asked Police Chief Michael Kehoe to contact the DOT concerning the request for traffic signal installation.