Submitted by Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo
As we enjoy the holiday season and give thanks for our many blessings, we also look forward to a joyful new year and prepare for it by completing the year end work of our local government. This means final votes are coming up. With that in mind, I believe it is important to clarify some facts about the Arch Street and Grigg Street intersection improvements.
These intersection improvements have been long vetted and are a much needed public safety project. Vetted for over a year, improved upon since the last RTM approval and P&Z approval process, and voted on several times by various entities (RTM, BOS, P&Z ); these projects are ready to pass and to be built.
Public safety is always my primary concern. As someone who walks it every day, I understand first hand why these changes are needed. Greenwich Avenue is heavily used by pedestrians, and that is a very good thing.
Unfortunately, in the last few months, we have had two pedestrians hit by cars on Greenwich Avenue, both at the two intersections approved for pedestrian safety enhancements: Arch Street and Grigg Street While there is never going to be a solution that works 100% of the time (in 2019 a pedestrian was struck in front of a police officer directing traffic), intersection bump outs are widely considered to dramatically improve pedestrian safety. Even better, these projects are 100% grant funded. And the previously completed reconfiguration at Elm Street has actually won awards for its engineering and safety, and earned broad public acclaim. Nationally recognized pedestrian safety expert Francisco Gomes has also endorsed these two improvement projects.
Beyond safety, these projects also add parking spaces, ease traffic flow, and will be paid for by a state grant because the state of Connecticut found them necessary public safety enhancements worthy of full funding.
Now, this project is coming back for a final vote in the RTM with the support of the Commission on Aging, Greenwich Communities (formerly Housing Authority), the Greenwich Police Department, the Greenwich Fire Department, and the Committee on People with Disabilities; as well having previouslyreceived affirmative votes from the Planning & Zoning Commission, the Board of Selectmen, and the RTM.
Since the last vote in the RTM, the original plan has been modified to address community concerns, which have made the plans even better. Greenwich residents, RTM members, disability advocates, pedestrian safety experts, and many residents in the downtown area specifically have been the driving force behind these improvements, ensuring that we have the safest, most beautiful intersections possible.
Greenwich Avenue has experienced change consistently for over a century. This new evolution respects our past and adjusts for the needs of the Avenue’s modern day users.
Here are some important facts and figures:
· The width of Greenwich Avenue is approximately 56 feet from curb to curb between Route 1 and Railroad Ave. The current width of Arch Street at Greenwich Avenue today is approximately 56 feet.
· The project received approval from Planning & Zoning, and addressed the concerns raised by the Historic District Commission.
· The project proposes to add 12 parking stalls as designed.
· There is a net increase of over 2000 square feet of greenspace as part of the project.
· There are NO trees proposed to be removed as part of this project. DPW will continue to work closely with the Town Tree Warden on the final design to protect Town trees. In addition, DPW will continue to work with the Planning and Zoning Greenscape Committee on final landscaping design.
· The purpose of a Municipal Improvement is to get a plan to the preliminary stage and obtain approval of the community through the BOS and P&Z process before spending significant tax payer dollars and time on the detailed final design and construction.
· There will be all-way stop signs placed at the intersection, just as there are today.
· The project cost estimate has been updated periodically through the conceptual process. The current estimate is approximately $2.2M with an added 20% in contingency.
In summary, these projects create safer and more pedestrian friendly intersections by aligning the roads in the intersection, shortening the actual amount of roadway pedestrians must cross, making crossings ADA compliant, and installing appropriate pavement markings.
I believe this project will continue the renaissance of downtown Greenwich and Greenwich Avenue as well as fulfill the mission we pledged back in 2019 to make our streets safer and more attractive venues than ever before for all who desire to use them.
Thanks again to all for your time, thoughts, and consideration, and thank you for your service to our town.
See also: Sign Up to Speak at Dec 15 Nathaniel Witherell Public Hearing