HIGHWAY SAFETY

The Branford Police
Department and the Board of Police Commissioners are dedicated to making
Branford roadways safer for the community.
Attempting to reach the goal
of safer roadways, we have compiled a list of what we consider to be
troublesome intersections. The suggestions are subjective opinions of
professional police officers that travel Branford's roads on a daily basis,
and are not based on actual data.
The following is how
the police commission improved conditions at these perceived troublesome
intersections:
Jefferson Rd & Burban
Dr
RECOMMENDATION:
RESOLUTION:
Gould Lane and Featherbed Lane
SUGGESTION:
- Remove traffic island at the intersection of
Gould La and Featherbed La
Resolution:
- Although it is awkward to look back over your
right shoulder while exiting Gould Lane on to Featherbed Lane in a
southerly direction, the commission could not find justification for
rebuilding this intersection because there is no significant
accident statistics for the intersection.
Meadow St. to Pine Orchard Rd.
SUGGESTION:
- The
intersections from Montowese St. at Pine Orchard Rd. to Montowese
St. at Meadow street should be controlled by a synchronized traffic
light.
RESOLUTION:
- The police
commission recommended two synchronized traffic lights, one at the
end of Pine Orchard Rd. and the other at the end of Meadow St.
Because Montowese St. is a state road the recommendation was
forwarded to the state department of transportation.
Leetes Island Rd. from Gould La. to East Main
St.
SUGGESTION:
- Evaluate lengthy
traffic light cycles on Leetes Island Rd. from Gould La. to East
Main St.
Resolution:
- The police commission unanimously voted to
recommend that the time cycle of the traffic lights be reduced to a
reasonable length of time. The request was submitted to the state
department of transportation and the time cycles have been
changed.
North Main St. & Cherry Hill Rd.
SUGGESTION:
- Remove overgrown shrubs and relocate a traffic
control device that blocks view while traveling south on Cherry Hill
Rd.
RESOLUTION:
- An inquiry was made to the state department of
transportation and found that this intersection is on the state's
list for improvement, however a start date has not been determined.
The commission determined that the traffic control device did not
impair sightlines. It was recommended that the property owner trim
the shrubbery at the intersection. Additionally the commission
recommends that left turn lanes be added in both directions on North
Main St. at the intersection of Cherry Hill Rd.
Cedar St. & North Main St.
SUGGESTION:
- A left turn signal should be added northbound on
Cedar St. at the intersection of North Main St. Additionally the
northbound traffic lanes on Cedar St. should be reconfigured to
require the left lane to turn left and continue straight. The right
lane should be right turn only.
RESOLUTION:
- The commission recognized the same issues with
this intersections however also added that the intersection should
be widened to accommodate three lanes of traffic northbound on Cedar
St. (left, straight and right turns).
Main St. & Ivy St.
SUGGESTION:
- Widen Main St. at Ivy St. to accommodate turn
lanes in both directions coupled with turn signals, to relieve
congestion.
Resolution:
- The commission recognizes the issue of traffic
congestion, however to widen the street at this intersection can
only be completed at the expense of many parking spaces which are
already at a premium. The commission recommends that an advanced
left turn signal for eastbound traffic on Main St. be installed on
the existing traffic signal.
Main St. & Kirkham St.
SUGGESTION:
- Create a left turn lane for westbound traffic on
Main St. at Kirkham St.
RESOLUTION:
- A advanced turn signal was approved on the
traffic light for westbound traffic on Main St. at Kirkham St during
the April commission meeting. This will be amended in the January
2005 commission meeting to recommend the creation of an additional
lane westbound on Main St affording both a turn lane and a straight
lane. This will require eliminating one parking space on the north
side of Main St.
Court St. & Clark Ave.
SUGGESTION:
- Make both Court St. and Clark Ave. one-way
streets with southbound traffic on Clark Ave. and northbound traffic
on Court St. Additionally allow parking only on one side of the
street.
RESOLUTION:
- Due to the very congested nature of this area,
any changes to the parking and travel directions will be very
controversial. The commission does not want to impose our will on
this area. Instead the commission would rather consider definite
recommendations made by the Short Beach Association. This
suggestion was tabled pending action by the Short Beach
Association.
Alps Rd & Burban Dr.
SUGGESTION:
- Post curve signs on Alps Rd near Burban Dr.
RESOLUTION:
- Curve signs are already in place, no action
taken.
Kirkham St., Maple St., Meadow St. & Indian
Neck Ave.
SUGGESTION:
RESOLUTION:
- The commission approved the new road alignment
associated with the MIF project. When Indian Neck Ave. is complete,
the commission will recommend that the intersection of Kirkham St.
and Meadow St. become a 3 way stop with an advanced stop warning
sign posted in an appropriate location on Maple St.
Please feel free to
submit suggestions in regard to traffic issues to:
traffic@branfordpolice.com