The intersection at Belden Hill Rd. and Rte. 106/Wolfpit Rd. has long been a difficult–and sometimes dangerous–one for drivers to navigate. Identified as a “crash-prone intersection” by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT-DOT), the state is moving forward with a potential plan to turn the four-way stop sign crossing into a “modern roundabout.”
The first step is to hold a public informational meeting to present a concept to improve safety and traffic at the location. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, at Trackside Teen Center (15 Station Rd.). A design presentation will begin at 7 p.m. with a question and answer period immediately following.
The potential change in traffic operation was something Capt. Rob Cipolla of the Wilton Police first told the Board of Selectmen about in April.
“They identified this area as high crash frequency, over the course of last three years, in particular the majority of them being angle type crashes, which can be the most severe in terms of injuries. In the last three years they had 19 MVAs (motor vehicle accidents) with 16 identified as angle collisions. Fortunately of the 16 only three resulted in injuries. But that’s how it came on their radar as a candidate for a modern roundabout,” Cipolla told the selectwomen and selectmen.
The purpose of this meeting is to inform the public about proposed improvements and solicit feedback. Officials say the proposed improvements include not only replacing the all-way stop with the roundabout but also minor widening of the roadway on all four approaches in the vicinity of the roundabout.
In addition, they anticipate that there will be right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed project.
The public informational meeting is being held to give members of the public the “full opportunity for participation and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning this proposed project.”
Plans of the proposed project will be on display at the meeting for public review. Department personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss the project. More detailed information is available at the Department’s Office of Engineering, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Plans are also available for review at Wilton Town Hall in the Town Clerk’s office. Anyone wishing to discuss the proposed project before or after the information meeting may contact Marissa Washburn, at 860.594.3358 or via e-mail.
The concept is identified as Proposed Project No. 161-003 (PP_161_003).
The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department’s Language Assistance Call Line at 860.594.2109. Requests should be made at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting. Persons having a hearing and/or speech disability may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) and instruct the operator to contact 860.594.2243. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public, and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.