Thursday’s Board of Selectmen agenda for Thursday, July 24 at 10:00am with Zoom option includes a three month pilot of a ‘road diet,’ or involving reducing the number of vehicular travel lanes from two to one in the area of Rte 1 by the New York state line.
A road diet, also known as a roadway reconfiguration, needs the blessing of the Selectmen who serve as the town’s traffic authority.
The proposal, which comes from the Greenwich’s Dept of Public Works Engineering Division, is for a 3-month pilot starting in August for a “quick-build trial” on Route 1 in the vicinity of Byram Road and Pemberwick Road.
The “quick-build trial” would not include pedestrian enhancements, such as crosswalk striping, signage, curb ramps, or sidewalks.
Five years of crash data is included in the agenda packet, with the most occurring in the area of Rte 1 at Byram Road.
A memo to the Selectmen from Michael Kiselak of DPW said the area is in need of pedestrian safety improvements based feedback from Greenwich residents and crash safety analysis prepared for the Safe Streets Action Plan.
Mr. Kiselak notes CT Transit bus stops are located on both sides of Route 1, but there is no designated crossing or walking route.
The idea of the pilot is to determine if a ‘road diet’ is feasible from a traffic
operations perspective.
The road diet would would reduce traffic on Route 1 to a single through-lane in each direction at potential crosswalk locations at Byram Road and Pemberwick Road.
If the road diet is successful from a traffic operations perspective, DPW would prepare a permanent plan incorporating striped crosswalks, rapid flashing beacons, curb ramps and sidewalks.
Kiselak says in his memo the trial project can be removed at any time if necessary prior to the end of the 3-month pilot on October 31.
The idea is based on the lane reduction reducing the crossing distance for pedestrians, serve as a traffic calming measure, and reduce the number of variables for pedestrians and drivers currently to consider as they move through the area.
Of course Rte 1 is a state road, but the CT Dept of Transportation allows trials on State roads.
A memo from the state DOT says the projects should be temporary and reversible.
Some of the allowable quick-build complete streets projects include protected bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, curb extensions, wayfinding signage, and a road diets, which is what DPW proposes.
Some of the allowable materials include flexible posts to delineate lanes, large planters, temporary paint, flexible speed humps and portable traffic signs.
“Preliminary discussions with CT DOT indicate they are open to this proposed trial project and their final approval is pending,” Kiselak wrote. “The trial would provide both DPW and CTDOT with valuable information as we work on developing a permanent solution for this location.’
Kiselak noted that both the new York State Dept of Transportation and the Village of Port Chester have been contacted since signage and lane markings are necessary across the New York border to announce the trial configuration.
The Dept of Public Works would collect traffic data, conduct observations, and solicit feedback from the community.
Aerial view of the area proposed for the road diet. Top left building is Carvel. Top right is intersection with Pemberwick Rd. Bottom center is intersection of Byram Rd and Rte 1 where the most crashes are documented. To see this image in full size go to page 18 of meeting agenda.