A public information meeting is being held in Danbury tonight by the State Department of Transportation.  A project has been proposed to make improvements on Route 37 at Stacey Road and Barnum Road.  DOT Project Manager Andreas Fesenmeyer says one part of the project is to put a left turn lane on 37 southbound at Stacey Road.

The Stacey Road intersection would be changed from a Y shape to a T intersection.  Route 37 will be realigned to have a gentle curve through the intersection and an exclusive left-turn lane on the southbound side.  Safety and capacity will be improved by providing left-turn lanes sheltered from through traffic.  Sight distances to queued traffic will be improved.

Barnum Road would be widened to allow cars turning right to bypass those making a left.  Route 37 would also be widened in that area to allow the same bypass.  No additional signalization is proposed.

Additionally, the sidewalk fronting the Stetson Place property will be extended north to the intersection at Barnum Road in keeping with the City of Danbury’s long term plan to provide a pedestrian connection along this corridor.  At least one existing storm drain will require relocation and additional drainage structures will be installed along the new curb line at the west shoulder of Route 37.

Construction for both projects is anticipated to begin in spring of 2017 and anticipated to last twenty months.  Two lanes of traffic will be maintained during this period, as Route 37 will be temporarily widened to accommodate this activity.  The total cost is estimated at $5 million.

Plans of the proposed project will be on display for public review.  Department personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss this project.  Plans are also available for review at Danbury City Hall.

Tonight's meeting is at 6pm at Danbury City Hall.