Road Interconnection Proposal Draws Fire

By Andrew Gorosko

Town officials have scheduled an informational session for Wednesday, August 23, on a town proposal to connect the dead-end Little Brook Lane to the dead-end Turkey Hill Road, intended as a way to improve public safety access in that area. The meeting is slated for 7:30 pm at Town Hall South at 3 Main Street.

When town officials broached the road interconnection proposal at an August 2 Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) session, Little Brook Lane area residents voiced opposition, stating that such an interconnection would greatly increase traffic flow on their road, which now has no through-traffic because it is a dead end street.

The road interconnection would be about 800 feet long and have a grade of about 9.5 percent.

Until a decade ago, the two roads were interconnected, after which that connection was cut and a turnaround circle was created at the end of Little Brook Lane.

Town Public Works Director Fred Hurley and Town Engineer Ronald Bolmer explained the road interconnection proposal to ZBA members. The town is acting as the agent for a private property owner who is seeking zoning variances which would ultimately allow such a road interconnection to be created.

Mr Hurley told ZBA members, “It’s a public safety issue.”

Mr Hurley later said that in the event the Pootatuck River floods over Turkey Hill Road, such a road link would provide the town with a secondary accessway to reach River Run, Nearbrook Drive, Mountain View Drive, Turkey Hill Terrace, and southern sections of Turkey Hill Road.

Several dozen Little Brook Lane area residents concerned about the road connection proposal attended the ZBA session on August 2 to voice their opposition.

Robin Buchanan of 15 Little Brook Lane said Little Brook Lane is narrow and it is difficult for two vehicles to pass while traveling in opposite directions. There are blind curves, she added.

“I don’t see where opening up the Little Brook Lane cul-de-sac would make it safe for anyone, especially the 28 families who live on Little Brook Lane,” she said. Such a road link would increase traffic on the street, she said.

A detailed story on issues stemming from the proposed road connection is planned for publication in the August 18 edition of The Newtown Bee.