Norwalk Public Works aims to improve traffic movements in 2 SoNo areas

NORWALK, Conn. — Efforts continue to improve a troublesome Norwalk intersection known to frustrate drivers coming from all directions.

Also on the docket for Tuesday’s Public Works Committee meeting, as the other part of a $9,000 contract, is funding to attempt to lessen West Avenue congestion that is caused by the needs of pedestrians.

RBA Group of Connecticut would be asked to study the intersection of Flax Hill Road, Fairfield Avenue and Couch Street, as well as the adjoining intersection of Fairfield Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive, RBA states in a letter to Norwalk Traffic Engineer Fred Eshragi.

Former Department of Public Works Director Hal Alvord said it would be impossible to improve, but current DPW chief Bruce Chimento decided to tackle the problem.

The idea would be to make movements at the two intersections work differently, hinging the southbound MLK traffic to the southbound Fairfield Avenue traffic, instead of to the northbound Flax Hill traffic as is the case now, RBA states. The approach from Flax Hill Road might be reconfigured to two lanes, RBA states – although the DPW reconfigured it in December to allow for a left turn lane to improve the situation.

Public Works Committee Chairman John Igneri (D-District E) was not available for comment.

Couch Street might be made a one-way street, RBA states, not elaborating on which direction that would be in.

Also proposed for study are three West Avenue intersections: the off ramp for Interstate 95 south, the intersection of West with Connecticut Avenue and the driveway for Matthews Park, and the intersection of West with Butler Street. Pedestrians using crosswalks cause intermittent congestion when they push the buttons to stop traffic, so RBA will “identify potential alternatives to the existing timing, phasing, and coordination,” RBA states.

RBA would conduct its studies over a two-week period, and meet with the city twice before delivering a letter of findings, RBA states.