A Roundabout Emerges Near Blackstone Library

Residents attending an information session about a proposed roundabout for Main Street seemed intrigued by the idea. The new configuration on the western side of the Town Center would eliminate confusing intersections at Main, South Main, Eades and Laurel streets and would also address traffic issues on Cedar Street near the Blackstone Library.

Several of the 40 people attending the meeting Thursday night at the firehouse community room asked questions or voiced support for the plans, while a few opposed the idea.

The town commissioned a study in 2008 which included proposals for revamping the Town Green and constructing a roundabout. The plans — especially those affecting the Town Green — met considerable public opposition.The new plans do not include any changes to the Town Green.

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove (pictured) explained that the current roundabout plans build upon the 2008 study. He said in 2015, the possibility of $3 million in state funding for the project became available, and the town earmarked $300,000 for design work. ​“I’m happy to bring this project to you,” he said.

Cosgrove said public input is essential to determine if there is enough interest in the project before committing to the state funds. CDM Smith Design of New Haven was hired to do preliminary conceptual designs and to make the presentation Thursday.

Town engineer Janice Plaziak (pictured right with Dave Sousa, of CDM Smith Design)said the plans were refined from the 2008 study, and traffic studies were undertaken to ​“really understand what changes we needed to make to the original concept plan.”

She said the state funding was bonded for this project in 2015. ​“If we don’t use this money … it will likely go to another town.”

The presentation is posted on the Engineering Department’s link on the town web site. Plaziak said people may send comments to her at [email protected] until the end of July.

Explaining the Roundabout

“The intent of this project is not only to create a safer network of streets for vehicular travel and for pedestrians and cyclists, but also to create a gateway. I call it blending the art of urban planning with the science of traffic engineering,” said Sousa .He has been working with DOT officials for several months to develop the project.

Sousa said the plans fit into the new concept of ​“complete streets” which are designed for everyone. ​“Cities need to function for all users. People of all ages need to feel comfortable on our streets whether they’re in a car, on a bus, or a bicycle or walking.” He said towns with complete streets are more desirable places to live, shop, and do business.

He said the plans also include safer parking, dedicated bike lanes in some areas, new crosswalks and traffic-calming devices.

He said a roundabout is a much safer design than traditional intersections, and result in fewer accidents and less severe accidents. He also said traffic flows at a slower speed in a roundabout. ​“You have to slow down — it’s a beautiful thing.”

Plans also call for changes to some surrounding streets. For example, Cedar Street between Main and Laurel street would be one way northbound, to eliminate the problem of making a left from Cedar onto Main Street. Southbound Cedar Street traffic from I‑95 and Route 1 would flow onto Laurel Street and into the roundabout. Making Cedar one-way in that location would also provide more on-street parking for the library. The police department is located at 33 Laurel St.

David Giel (pictured), traffic engineer with CDM Smith Design, assured people that the roundabout would encourage slow speeds, not like the high-speed rotaries on Cape Cod.

“The four things we’re really trying to stress in regard to roundabouts are they operate efficiently, they’re very safe, they reduce vehicle speed so you have slower moving traffic ….. and they’re also going to compliment the Town Green,” Giel said.

He said there is a 40 percent reduction in accidents when roundabouts replace intersections, but more importantly they reduce the severity of accidents.

The Public Speaks

Karen Jensen, director of the Blackstone Memorial Library, said the Board of Trustees ​“strongly endorses” the roundabout because it will increase safety for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, especially in front of the library. She read a statement of support from the board which said the project ​“offers many significant benefits to the town of Branford.” The board also approved of the proposal to make that section of Cedar Street one way with more parking spaces along the road.

Frank Twohill, a Republican member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), said he supports the concept.

Peter Black, a Republican RTM member, asked if there is a lot of bicycle traffic on those streets.

“We need to start designing streets for all users,” Sousa said, adding that bicycle lanes will encourage biking in the downtown. ​“When you provide the facilities in Branford, people will opt to use them.”

A woman, who did not identify herself, asked about the need for changing the intersections. ​“Is it the best way to use our money?” she questioned.

A man, also unidentified, questioned the effect such projects have on taxes. ​“I’ve lived here for 40 years and I’ve never had a problem” with the streets involved, he said.

Dan Hally said the state is broke, and he questioned why the town would do this project. ​“The intersections are fine,” he said.

Plaziak said there have been accidents in that area and a pedestrian was recently hit.

She said other options were looked at in 2008, but the skewed intersections were problematic. ​“There was really a need to clean up the circulation there and to make it safer and more welcoming as people enter the Town Center.”

Plaziak said the police department has been ​“really supportive of this idea.”

She said the project and funding are part of the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) in which towns undertake projects on state roads. She estimates the work could begin in less than five years.

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