Traffic upgrades in Greenwich move forward
GREENWICH — A longdelayed project to make traffic flow more efficiently through central Greenwich is finally moving forward.
A $2.75 million upgrade to the traffic lights in central Greenwich has faced postponements involving state funds and insurance issues. The work was initially proposed to be completed in 2018.
The technological upgrades are now moving ahead.
“This project is currently out to bid,” said James Michel, town deputy commissioner of public works.
The project will add “smart” traffic lights at seven intersections on Arch Street and adjoining corners in central Greenwich.
Long delays at Exit 3 from I95 into central
Greenwich have caused frustrations and fenderbenders for years, as the steady growth of businesses, residences and offices into the downtown area have generated more vehicle traffic.
Backups at Exit 3 in the southbound lanes of I95 have been observed as a mile long on some occasions in the morning rush hour. The afternoon rush hour also has delays when motorists slog through the same intersections on town streets heading back toward I95.
While the current traffic system off Exit 3 and Arch Street has some technologically advanced features, the adaptive technology that will be installed in the area is far more developed.
The system adapts to traffic as it increases or decreases, according to engineers. The lights are fitted with sensors and specialized cameras. The sensors can determine how many vehicles are in line on one street, gather input from other intersections and then instantaneously work out the optimal flow of green lights to keep traffic moving.
Traffic engineers have said the adaptive traffic lights would make a “significant” improvement, though traffic tieups will still be inevitable.
The new lights will be built for the seven traffic signals around Arch Street, Railroad Avenue and Steamboat Road.
A recent review of traffic accidents in a state data base identified Arch Street, the roadway leading to and from Exit 3, as the street with the shortest distance with the most number of collisions in town. State Police have also seen a steady volume of accidents in the section around Exit 3 on I95, with rearend collisions a particular problem.
Michel estimated that the construction work would take six months. The work to install the new traffic signals will also be done with some new sidewalks and pedestrian improvements in the area.
The project will be jointly carried out by the state and the town, and changes to state guidelines required a new round of administrative issues to be resolved before the upgrades could go forward.
The $2.75 million project for trafficsignal work near Arch Street and Exit 3 has been put out to bid.