Residents Call for Safety Measures at Complicated Locust Avenue-Route 123 Intersection

Saying ill-timed traffic signals at Locust Avenue and Route 123 are prompting motorists to speed and run red lights, residents of the area are calling for town officials to boost police enforcement and ensure pedestrian safety.

The intersection of Locust Avenue at Route 123, from the Locust Avenue side. On June 25, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan

An increased number of families with young kids live in the area—there are five bus stops on Locust alone between Cherry and 123—and cars at peak times back up as far as Cherry Street itself, according to third-generation New Canaanite Lauren Cerretani, of Locust Avenue.

“There are more people running red lights and I can stand on the corner and see the close calls,” Cerretani on Thursday told the Traffic Calming Work Group.

The intersection of Locust Avenue at Route 123, from the Summer Street side. On June 25, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan

The administrative team includes members of the police, fire and public works departments, as well as CERT, and fields requests for traffic calming.

“It is just very dangerous there,” Cerretani said.

“The big issue with this is pedestrians trying to cross 123 to Brush Ridge Road,” she said. “There is no crosswalk, there is a button but it is on northern side of Locust and it is not a real crosswalk button”

The intersection of Locust Avenue at Route 123 is complicated and unusual.

Because both Summer and River Streets essentially feed 123 just there, motorists enter the intersection six different ways.

Looking southbound along Route 123 at Locust Avenue, on June 25, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan

Those approaching from Locust Avenue and Brushy Ridge Road get a traffic light and are instructed to stop well before the intersection at a red light—a signed directive that is frequently disobeyed. Motorists on Summer and River Streets come to a stop sign before entering those “feeder” streets. Though there’s a “push for green signal” button for pedestrians on two corners to cross New Norwalk Road, the intersection itself has no crosswalk and in any case, the light signal does not allow for a pedestrian-only crossing of the state road when it’s used. The only sidewalk that approaches the intersection runs along the south side of Locust Avenue and it terminates where Summer Street comes in.

Cerretani asked whether additional speed limit signs could be installed on Locust before the intersection, but there’s a limit on just how many such signs can be installed, according to Tiger Mann, assistant director of DPW.

She asked whether a crosswalk could be installed at Hillside Avenue, but Capt. John DiFederico told her that crosswalks should not be seen as a way to slow down motorists because it creates a safety problem for pedestrians.

Because Route 123 is a state road, approval for changes such as to the timing of the traffic light must be approved by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Mann agreed to present Cerretani’s suggestions to the state, including a change to the timing of the traffic light to allow for more vehicles to enter the intersection from Locust Avenue, and installation of a proper crosswalk button and striping for pedestrians seeking to get across New Norwalk Road. She also is calling for ‘No Turn on Red’ signs for motorists in all directions.

Here’s the intersection: