In seeking to learn how best to improve congested traffic conditions at the five-way Main Street flagpole intersection, Police Commission members have hired a traffic consultant to study the troublesome junction, which has the second-highest local accident rate. The commission serves as the local traffic authority.

According to a recent statistical report from police, the flagpole intersection had 55 collisions from 2012 to 2014 inclusive. Most of the accidents involved vehicles colliding with one another, but others involved vehicles driving into the flagpole.

A 100-foot-tall flagpole, which is not shielded by barriers, stands in the center of the intersection where Main Street, Church Hill Road, and West Street meet. The intersection is controlled by stop signs on Church Hill Road and West Street.

Making any changes at the flagpole intersection is complicated by the fact both Main Street and Church Hill Road are state roads and are under state Department of Transportation (DOT) control.  Also, the flagpole is a state-sanctioned landmark.

The planned traffic study is the latest of a series of such studies since 2000 that have considered traffic problems the flagpole intersection.

At an August 4 Police Commission session, traffic engineer Michael Galante of Frederick P. Clark Associates, Inc of Fairfield explained the scope of the planned traffic study. The study’s price is $17,900, plus related costs.

Mr Galante said that the report will cover public safety concerns, motor vehicle accidents, traffic volumes, and the presence of pedestrians, among many other topics.

The traffic engineer used a large aerial photo of the intersection to illustrate the roadway layout in the area.

After analyzing data gathered for the traffic study including traffic-flow patterns and traffic volumes, the firm would list some options for possible improvements to the intersection. Such options may include installing traffic signals, creating a roundabout, the placement of stop signs and pavement markings, the placement of medians, creating vehicle turning restrictions, and on-street parking restrictions or some combination of those measures.

The recommendations would not involve removing the flagpole from the intersection, in view of its historical significance. The flagpole has landmark status based on an act of the state legislature, and thus protections are in place in terms of making changes to the structure.

Traffic counts of the vehicles traveling through the flagpole intersection area would be taken after the 2015-16 school year begins, Mr Galante said.

The traffic study will address what specific effects the flagpole itself has on traffic flow in the area, he said.

Police Commission Chairman Paul Mangiafico urged Mr Galante to keep in mind that a new firehouse for the Newtown Hook & Ladder Volunteer Fire Company is under construction at 12 Church Hill Road, not far from the flagpole. The current Hook & Ladder firehouse is at 45 Main Street.

After reviewing the traffic report’s findings, the Police Commission would need to discuss flagpole intersection issues with the DOT, Mr Galante said.

‘Touchy’ Subject

Of the flagpole intersection public safety issues, Mr Mangiafico noted, “This is a very touchy subject.”

On the one hand, residents who want improvements made at the flagpole intersection have criticized Police Commission members for inaction on the matter, he said.

On the other hand, other residents  have criticized the Police Commission for seeking changes at the intersection saying that there are no traffic problems there, he added.

There’s a “wide range of opinion” on the matter, he said.

Mr Mangiafico stressed that the flagpole would not be removed from the intersection as part of a public safety improvement project.

While installing traffic signals at the intersection might be beneficial, doing so raises aesthetic concerns, Mr Mangiafico said.

The solutions which are eventually found to improve conditions at the flagpole intersection need to be rational solutions and good solutions for the town at large, he said.

The results of the traffic study will not please everyone, Mr Mangiafico predicted.

Mr Mangiafico said that traffic conditions at the flagpole intersection are worse than they were in the past.

Mr Galante responded that interstate traffic patterns have changed, with some of the truck traffic that formerly used I-95 now using I-84.

“The I-95 corridor is awful,” resulting in the interstate traffic shift, he said.

And when there are traffic backups on I-84, motorists get off the interstate and travel on local roads in Newtown, he said.

“There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed…It’s a unique intersection,” he said of the flagpole junction.

“This really is a hot-button issue in this town,” Mr Mangiafico said.