A study is underway about improvements to Route 37 between the Exit 6 highway ramps in Danbury and the New Fairfield town line.  WestCOG, the regional planning agency, is working with City and Town officials to develop a corridor study.  They're looking at how to alleviate traffic congestion, improve pedestrian mobility, and to promote healthy and environmentally friendly modes of transportation. 

The study also evaluated the possibility of adding pedestrian and bike areas along the corridor.  Danbury and New Fairfield officials are looking into a walking trail along Margerie Lake Reservoir. 

Senior Engineer Parker Sorenson notes that the traffic signals at Golden Hill and at Jeanette Street are owned by the DOT, while the City owns the signals from Shoprite, south.  Sorenson says they want to coordinate the infrastructure, which are not now in the same signal system.  He called that an easy fix that will have a big impact. 

The southbound approach on 37 at 39 in New Fairfield has one lane, and the group proposed having a dedicated left turn lane.  He says it not only will provide efficiencies, but also safety.  The intersection is currently in the design phase for a signal system upgrade. 

Padanaram Road forks off at a sharp angle, but Sorenson says there is enough right of way to make it a T intersection and add a right turn lane.  They also want to add a shoulder northbound to allow traffic to bypass cars waiting to make a left onto Padanaram. Sorenson says the afternoon drive time traffic delay could be reduced by a minute and a half for cars waiting to make a right off Padanaram. 

Between Jeannette and Golden Hill, they want to add a center left turn lane for north and southbound traffic to get into driveways.  The group is proposing the DOT widen the shoulders by the shopping plazas around the animal hospital and Bagleman. 

Lastly, they suggest extending the merge where two lanes become one by the McDonald's.  They looked at crash data and found a lot of sideswipe accidents at that quick merge.