The state Department of Transportation has heard the complaints from drivers in Danbury who get stuck in traffic on North Street because of the widening project.  Unfortunately there's little to be done to alleviate the situation.

During the winter shut down period, the DOT plans to continue some work on the Route 37/North Street/Exit 6 project in Danbury.  Project Manager Charles Murad says they will be actively working on the concrete retaining wall in the North Street Shopping Center parking lot.  That part of the project includes relocating water service for a bank there, excavating for sewer installations and installing manholes and sewer pipe.  Electric crews will also be working on traffic signal equipment on the off ramp. 

Murad says they know people are frustrated with the traffic flow, but noted that it is a high volume traffic area.  He lives in the area.  He says whenever they start work and there are delays, people mostly know that when construction is done the traffic will move smoother.

The traffic light signals are timed now to clear the exit 6 westbound off ramp first.  If cars back up onto the highway, that creates a big safety problem.  All of the intersection signals are coordinated so the off-ramp is a priority.  Murad says the more time dedicated to the off-ramp, the fewer cars that can move through the Hayestown Avenue and at Padanaram Avenue intersections.  He says drivers can help by taking alternate routes, alleviating some of the congestion.

The DOT is conscious of the businesses, hospital and ambulance services, and bus routes in the direct area.  The project coordinators are in contact with police and ambulance dispatchers about traffic flow.