Police Commission Addresses Crosswalk Safety, Hall Lane Updates
At the Newtown Police Commission meeting on June 4, commissioners addressed parents’ concerns about potentially dangerous crosswalks near Housatonic Valley Waldorf School.
According to Officer Leonard Penna of Newtown Police Department, the school faces a “unique situation,” with a crosswalk connecting its two campuses. The protected crosswalk, located on Dodgingtown Road, prohibits drivers at the intersection from making right turns on a red light. However, Officer Penna notes that signage in the area remains incomplete.
Similar concerns were raised about a second crosswalk on Jacklin Road, connecting one of the school’s buildings and Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire house.
Officer Penna suggested adding a combination of warning and regulatory signs to indicate the school zone, along with doubling fines for speed violations. Other solutions included using flashing lights or changing the speed limit, but it would fall to the town to carry out these modifications.
If approved, the proposals will be sent to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT).
In other Police Commission news, Hall Lane has seen improved traffic conditions following revisions to its signage and landscape. The street also became a temporary one-way in February.
Chief of Police David Kullgren and Officer Penna detailed the most recent additions of a new turn curve warning sign and a speed sign on the street. Additionally, adjustments to the landscape were made to enhance visibility of the signs.
At the May Police Commission meeting, Chief Kullgren reported a reduction in traffic volume on Hall Lane. However, the speed tracker recorded an average speed of around 28 mph from its drivers in the past month, while the DOT approved a speed limit of 25 mph.
These changes came in response to previous complaints about excessive through traffic caused by backups on Interstate 84. The tracker will continue collecting data into mid-June.
Kullgren noted every road setting “has its own characteristics.”
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Intern Claire Baranovic can be reached through editor@thebee.com.
I agree- every road setting has its own characteristics- but I am seeing a pattern in Newtown. To whom do I complain about the excessive through traffic caused by backups on Interstate 84 that affect: Mount Pleasant, Main Street, Church Hill Road, and Currituck Road? I’d love to speak with whomever it is on Hall Lane that seems to have so much swagger.
Wish the actual speed on Glover avenue was 28 MPH. Matter of fact I bet most homeowners would be happy if the actual speed averaged speed on their road was only 28 MPH. Toddy Hill residents’ have been asking for help for years, while Hall lane only takes months for help. Speed enforcement in Newtown is Pathetic. No just totally absent.
You know where EVERYONE speeds, past my house. I have no problem with the speed on Toddy Hill and 302, its 55 right?