Traffic signal gains approval

On Tuesday, June 15, the State Traffic Commission approved a traffic light for the intersection of Route 7 in Ridgefield and 640 Danbury Road — which serves Laurel Ridge Health Care Center, Ridgefield Crossings and Regency at Ridgefield, an over-55 condominium complex.

State Rep. John Frey (R-Ridgefield) worked cooperatively with state Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie, the State Traffic Commission, and residents at Regency during the last two years to make the traffic light possible.

The DOT conducted a traffic study of the intersection in January, and agreed that traffic conditions had changed since road was widened and three facilities were completed in the area. The request for a traffic light there had been turned down twice before, once in 1997 when Laurel Ridge was being constructed and again in 2005 when Regency at Ridgefield was being planned.

“I am pleased that the DOT has agreed, after conducting a traffic study of the area, that placing a traffic signal at this location is the best course of action in the interest of public safety for Ridgefielders,” said Rep. Frey.

“I have received numerous calls over the years from residents, employees of the facilities and visitors who have found that intersection difficult to enter and exit. It was a long process, but the outcome was the right one and I thank Commissioner Marie and his staff for facilitating the approval,” Rep. Frey added.

David Sawicke, Executive Director of the State Traffic Commission said the department’s traffic engineering group conducted a study of the area after they were requested to do so by Rep. Frey. Sawicke also confirmed the cost of installing the signal, estimated to be between $100,000 and $140,000, will not be incurred by the state but paid for by the adjoining property owners.