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                                                     Advocates for Calm Traffic

                                                                Norwalk, Connecticut

 

Frequently asked questions

.. and answers to your questions

 

 

      Q: Who do I call  to talk to about getting my traffic problems fixed?

      A: Click here -->  Handy Numbers to Call - and Government Website Links

  

      Q: Is there a city board that votes on local traffic concerns?

      A: Yes. It is called the Traffic Authority.  It has three members: the Mayor and two others appointed by the Mayor.  This body is also the Police Commission.  It meets monthly. These meetings are open to the public.  A meeting agenda is available a day in advance at the Mayor's office at City Hall. Click here -->  Handy Numbers to Call  for the names and contact information of the commissioners.

 

      Q: Can my councilman help with my traffic problem? And how?

      A:  Contact your councilman for assistance.  You may also attend the Public Works Committee meeting.  It is a Common Council committee that meets monthly at City Hall (usually the first Tuesday at 7:30 PM).  It considers many traffic issues and it is open to the public.  Click here -->  Handy Numbers to Call  to locate the names and contact numbers of the council members that are on the committee. Tell one of them your traffic problem. Many items on the meeting agenda get placed on the agenda in just this way.

 

      Q: How do I get speed bumps on my street?

      A: Click here -->    Traffic Calming Guidelines 

 

      Q: What else besides speed bumps can be used to calm traffic?

      A: Click here -->    Pathways to Calm Traffic 

 

 

      Q: How do I get a stop sign put in at my intersection?

      A: Stop signs are approved by the state Dept. of Transportation (DOT) and the local Traffic Authority.  First you contact the Department of Public Works (DPW).   It may be necessary to put your request in writing or have neighbors sign a petition stating that your neighborhood  wants the stop sign and why you think it is necessary.  DPW staff will let you know. Traffic studies will be conducted.  If it is determined that the stop sign is required the DPW will place the request for the stop sign on the Traffic Authority meeting agenda and provide information to the commissioners at the meeting.  Meetings are open to the public and it is advisable that you and some of your neighbors attend so that the support for the stop sign is clear.

 

      Q: How do I get a traffic light or other costly traffic feature financed by the city?

      A: To get a big-money project done it must receive funding in the city's capital budget.  To accomplish this, first you must contact the Dept. of Public Works (DPW).  Traffic studies will be done.  If it is determined that the project is warranted then the DPW may include it as an item on its list of requests for the following year's budget (July 1 - June 30) that it submits annually just prior to the end of the year. The capital budget requests go to the Finance Dept, the Mayor, the Planning Commission, back to the Mayor and then to the Common Council before they are approved in April.  Each deciding body that it is passed to can add or subtract items from the list.  You also have a say because two public hearings are scheduled -- the first by the Planning Commission and the second by the Planning Committee of the Common Council.  If it is approved then the city puts the project 'out-to-bid'.  Once a contractor is hired then the work gets done.

 

      Q: Who do I call if I want to get more involved in my neighborhood?

      A: Check the list of --> Neighborhood Associations provided on this website.  If there is an established group listed for your neighborhood contact them. If no association exists or holds regular meetings where you live you can contact any of the active groups in the city to learn more about how to create your own neighborhood group.

 

Do you have another question?  If you do, send ACT an email --> click here -- and the question will be added to the above list and/or answered directly.