Ridgefield Gets Two STEAP Grants for Traffic, Parking Improvements
The first grant of $75,000 is for installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Danbury Road and Route 7; The second grant of $200,000 is for traffic flow and safety improvements in the Ridgefield Center Business District.
The Town of Ridgefield has received two Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants totaling $275,000, Gov. Dannel Malloy’s office announced today.
The first grant of $75,000 is for installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Danbury Road and Route 7.
“This intersection controls traffic for a 322 unit complex including a nursing home, assisted living facility and an age-restricted condo development,” a release from the governor’s office states. “The nursing home and assisted living facility average 400 ambulance calls a year and the intersection has become difficult to navigate since the road was widened to four lanes.”
The second grant of $200,000 is for traffic flow and safety improvements in the Ridgefield Center Business District, including reconstruction of the 233-space municipal parking lot between Bailey Avenue and Prospect Street, which serves multiple downtown businesses as well as Town Hall.
"As a ranking member of the state's transportation committee I know all too well the financial challenges communities have with maintaining safe roads and workable transportation systems,” State Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) said in the release. “The STEAP award being provided to Ridgefield will help make the business district more accessible to residents and safer for pedestrians.”
“There is also a great need for a traffic light at the heavily traveled intersection of Danbury Road and Rte 7,” Sen. Boucher added. “I am pleased to see that this initiative will be completed with the state's support. The commuting public deserves safe and reliable transportation systems and these awards will help smaller communities in a substantial way.”
“Over the past several weeks I’ve enjoyed visiting the small towns across Connecticut that make our state a great place to live,” Governor Malloy said in the release. “Local leaders have done a tremendous job advocating for their communities and ensuring that these important projects are getting the attention and support they need—and state government has stepped up as a partner in the effort to improve the quality of life for residents. These projects are part of reinventing Connecticut and making us a stronger, highly competitive, and more vibrant state.”
Ridgefield was one of 22 Connecticut towns and the only one in Fairfield County to receive STEAP grants in this latest round.
Michael Gibney
6:21 pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2012
State Rep. John Frey said, "The Bailey Avenue Municipal Parking Lot plays a critical role providing parking in the heart of our business district. It hasn't seen any changes or improvements since I was Chairman of the Parking Authority in the early 1980's. The Town of Ridgefield has come up with a design plan to make improvements that involve the adjacent private property owners that will improve the traffic flow and address maintenance and repair issues."
paul d.
8:58 am on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
I don't quite Mr. Frey's message here. Is he taking credit for getting Ridgefield these grants or is he just saying since 1980 nothing has been done till now.
Does Ms. Boucher honestly believe there are pedestrians stupid enough to be walking on Route 7 where that traffic light is being put? She might want to go visit the site before issuing statements like this.
Christine E.
6:27 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Not sure what's so confusing, Paul. The quote Mr. Gibney has brought to the table is pretty straight forward, and in no way implies anyone is taking any 'credit'. Additionally, Ms. Boucher's comment appears to be a general, overall comment about the benefits of the grants, which is also benefiting the town center, not just Rt. 7. I think you're reading much too far into this.
Ron orson
7:08 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Thank God i live in upper Ridgebury and dont use RT 7. Another traffic light to mess up the flow of traffic on rt 7. Or to let the people that exit those housing projects that cost me money and should not be their. Double whammy to tax payers. I thought the widening of RT7 was to smooth the flow of traffic NOW A LIGHT WHAT A DUMB IDEA. I am willing to bet the accident rate their will double at that light, Lets see make it more difficult to get to danbury GREAT
Ron orson
9:21 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Sure why not take the grant money. It comes from the Knomes not us tax payers. Another statement that i live for one of the dumbest things i have read in years. Taking grants and thinking we dont pay for them. And further more spending it on something that is useless. Lets see one hour parking or a ticket. Great plan. Once again shop DANBURY
Ron orson
9:29 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Another Traffick light in town and on RT7 is this not the DUMMEST THING IN THE WORLD. And further more many residents will bypass RT7 and use George Washington to avert the delays. Prime example is the light at the intersection of great hill and 35. Since the state re-timed it traffic is backed up past the early bird. What am i missing.
Driver
10:15 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
What's the issue? I haven't encountered a problem at that location. (I come out of Subway a few times a month.) Once in a while I need to wait for the cars to pass, but it only takes a minute or two. Not a problem. Is this a rush hour only issue? If so, we are going to make cars wait at a light for 23 hours per day to solve a rush hour only problem? Is this the best solution?
John Symon
11:26 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
I count 7 towns in Fairfield County.
I agree... I'd be more thankful if there were no state grants. But, in this case, is $20 million is going to be awarded, it behooves us to get a piece.
As far as New York roads being better, that hasn't been my experience (MAYBE upstate).
Ron orson
9:26 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
Once again what are you talking about. Just because their is a tower in FRANCE does not mean i have to jump off it!!!!
John Symon
12:20 am on Friday, January 6, 2012
Luca. You said:
"1 town out of 22 grants are in fairfield County....45% of tax reciepts to hartford come from fairfield county. "
I count 7 towns in Fairfield County that recieved grants.
Then you say "I think there are more than 7--you might want to count again."
What are you talking about?
Christine E.
12:50 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
As per the last sentence in the article above..."Ridgefield was one of 22 Connecticut towns and the only one in Fairfield County to receive STEAP grants in this latest round." However, that is not to negate the fact that other Fairfield County towns have received grants in previous rounds.
Ron orson
9:23 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
Once again what are you talking about . John Those developments assured us at the time of construction there would not be a traffic light or the town would not supply ambulance service to the facility. Now they got the light and the ambulance calls epesent app 69% of our calls.(not sure of this number but i think it is close) So once again us tax payers suffer. By the way just because their is grant money available does not mean we should think of DUMB things to spend it on. !!D'OH!!!
Ron orson
9:29 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
Here is my take on this . Their is going to be many more accidents at thei intersection. Cars speeding down rt7 and blowing that light will be a reality. It is Dumb Stupid ansd was a deal when they shoved that development down our throats that a light was off the table PERIOD. Is this explained plain enough!!!