The Town of Greenwich Dept of Public Works has completed final designs for the Route 1 Corridor Adaptive Signal Control Technology Improvements project.
DPW is now in the process of obtaining authorization to bid from the Connecticut Dept of Transportation (CTDOT) which is administering grant funding for the project through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program.
The project study area covers all 27 signalized intersections along Route 1 (East/West Putnam Avenue) from New York to Stamford, plus two associated signals on Field Point Road.
The purpose of the project is to improve air quality, reduce congestion, minimize delays and decrease travel time along the Route 1 corridor as well as decrease exit ramp queuing on I-95 at Exit 5.
The project will upgrade the signal control technology to better handle fluctuations in traffic demand in real time. Upgrades to make all intersections in the study area fully ADA-compliant with accessible push buttons and curb ramps are included.
Following significant public feedback in the months after the presentation of preliminary
designs (June 2024), DPW has revised the pedestrian phasing plans for numerous intersections as follows.
Exclusive Phasing (18 Intersections)
The following signalized intersections will retain exclusive pedestrian phasing due to higher levels of pedestrian activity, proximity to schools, and/or complex intersection geometry.
• All intersections in Central Greenwich and Cos Cob, from Brookside Drive to River Road (except Milbank Ave/Maher Ave/Maple Ave – see below).
• Route 1 at Western Junior Highway
• Route 1 at I-95 Exit 5/Neil Lane
Where exclusive phasing is being utilized, congestion, air quality, and travel time improvements will be reduced; however, overall improvements relative to existing conditions are still expected.
Concurrent Pedestrian Phasing (11 Intersections)
The following signalized intersections along Route 1 will receive concurrent pedestrian phasing to reduce wait times for pedestrians and further improve traffic congestion.
• All intersections from East Weaver Street/Holly Hill Lane to Prospect Street/Edgewood Drive.
• Route 1 at Milbank Ave/Maple Ave/Maher Ave
• All intersections west of the Mianus River except the Exit 5/Neil Lane intersection (see above).
A release from DPW said, “Concurrent phasing is a safe and effective tool used throughout the United States that promotes increased compliance of pedestrians crossing when they have the right of way.”
Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) are being added at each concurrent-phasing intersection for each crosswalk possible to provide pedestrians a brief exclusive “head start” period before parallel traffic receives a green light.
The UCONN Training and Technical Assistance (T2) Center has published additional information here about the advantages and disadvantages of concurrent and exclusive pedestrian phasing, plus the benefits of LPI, which is a proven pedestrian safety countermeasure. According to research by the US Department of Transportation, LPI can
reduce pedestrian/vehicle crashes at intersections by 13%.
Based upon an assessment of the final design plans, design, construction, and inspection
costs are anticipated to be approximately $3.4 Million. The Federal Highway Administration will provide 100% reimbursement up to the full grant amount of $4 Million.
Following the bid advertisement, which is anticipated in early 2026, DPW expects
construction to begin in Spring 2026 and last approximately one year.
Future updates will be posted to DPW’s dedicated webpage for this project:
https://www.greenwichct.gov/2609
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