House Republican Press Release

March 26, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. GIEGLER: INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT BECKERLE ST./CLAPBOARD RIDGE RD. INTERSECTION MOVING FORWARD

Project Will Help Resolve Long-Standing Problems At Danbury High School

HARTFORD—Plans to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Clapboard Ridge Road and Beckerle Street are moving forward, today said Representative Jan Giegler, R-Danbury. The traffic signal, first requested by Rep. Giegler through the State Department of Transportation (DOT) in 2003, is expected to be installed later this year.

In January 2007, a pre-construction meeting was held between DOT and M.J. Losito Electrical Contractors, Inc of Bethel, which is the contractor selected for the project. This intersection is a portion of a larger state traffic signal installation project (No. 174-300) which includes a new traffic signal at Westwood Drive and Mill Plain Road (Rt. 6).  The start date for the contract was January 25, 2007 and allows for a 168-day procurement period for all materials and a 156-day construction period which will commence in July 2007.    

In 2004, a DOT study reviewed the roadways adjacent to Danbury High School. The study indicated that the traffic signal would likely reduce the frequency of accidents and recommended that one be installed at the intersection. It noted certain sightlines along Route 39 from Beckerle Street were inadequate. DOT subsequently addressed these sightline issues by relocating a fence and trimming vegetation.

“The Beckerle Street project is one of three new traffic signals that will be prioritized by the contractor,” said Rep. Giegler. “I never envisioned that this project would have taken so long to come to fruition. I’m pleased that a contractor is finally in place and what will ultimately be a safety upgrade for this intersection is moving closer to becoming a reality.”