Last night I decided to go another way home and I would have been going through it at the exact time. Every night as I inch through with my children in the car I am thankful that I made it through that intersection without getting hit. This needs to be fixed!

A 4-way stop, such a block up Central at West Elm, would help tremendously. I live near this intersection and hearing skidding and horns at least a few times a week.

I hope we can work on a solution for this intersection and others city-wide.

I would like to add though that lights and signs are not the solution alone. There was recently the first significant accident at Alden & Edgewood where there is a virtually brand-new full traffic light.

I'm not a traffic engineer but I like the idea of Crossing Islands. There is an example of what I mean in the City's new Complete Streets Manual in the appendix.

Accident last nite at this spot. I also know that when I try and walk across that intersection cars do not adhere to the LAW of the crosswalk. A blinking light at person level in the middle of the crosswalk would be awesome! They are completely ignoring the posted "yield to pedestrians" sign.

More comments:

-- In 2003, my car was rear-ended and crushed into the car in front of mine in a serious accident at the corner of Central Ave./E.G. Boulevard while sitting in my car waiting for the red light to change. This is not to say that a traffic light is a bad idea; just that it is not a perfect solution, either. The traffic light at Alden/Edgewood was certainly helpful. Until people start to drive responsibly again, we will continue to have these accidents and near-misses every day. A state-wide driver education program (TV, Billboard, Newspaper) as well as STRICT enforcement of stop light & stop sign infractions is long overdue. We need to make public bad driving as unacceptable as public smoking has become. I know that camera ticketing is controversial; but being killed or crippled by a maniac driver is not acceptable, either. ‘Right Turn on Red’ seemed like a good idea, once; but it seems to have removed everyone’s inhibitions about all traffic regulations. I’m not sure that ‘traffic calming’ impediments and circles are a great idea. They seem to be obstacles waiting to be hit, and an obstruction to snowplows - but I guess research shows otherwise. I always take a deep breath & pray before entering a traffic circle - hoping I will get through the melee safely. I do feel the 4-way stop at West Elm & Central has been a great improvement, and would certainly help here, as well. It is an inexpensive and effective action to take both here and at Alden/Willard. Meanwhile, please think of SAFETY when you are hurrying to your destination & especially when approaching an intersection. The speed limit really is 25 mph - don’t curse at those who observe it. Follow their example. Remember our children are watching us drive & learning from us (especially those cuss words) We need to plan enough time to get to our destinations while observing the traffic laws; not running red & yellow lights and doing 45-50 (or more) in a 25mph zone. The way we drive can save lives or end them. I apologize for the sermon, but I am still in pain after 7 years. I am lucky to be alive.

-- An accident on a city street is no private matter. I think if more people saw this it might be a wake up call!!! I live on that corner and it’s a death trap. These folks were very lucky and the police and fire crew were very professional. We need a four way stop or a stop light and I’m going to keep fighting for it!!!!!!!!

One resident wrote to the Management Teams: "We daily hear horns and skids as cars on Willard cross Central and are surprised by fast-moving traffic."

A roundabout (like what was just installed at Elm and West Park Ave) would be perfect for this intersection.

Roundabout!

Any movement to fill out a complete streets request form for this? I know there is also a developing interest in a neighborhood-wide traffic master plan.

I was slammed at Central and Willard a few years ago by a car pulling out of his parking space on Central and hurrying to beat time... Fortunately, no one was hurt; but both cars suffered significant damage. Because I'm a Willard resident, I slowed to almost a stop at that intersection before the crash. I've been advocating for four way stop signs ever since. What will it take before something is done?

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Go for the stop sign. Traffic signals increase speeds. The block, that I live on, has two traffic signals and, when the lights turn green, the drivers hit the gas, with speeds reaching up to 50mph, on a narrow, 25mph stretch of road, so that they can make the light. Yellow light means even faster speeds and usually 2 to 3 cars run the full red light. So cars flying down central and seeing a green light will increase their speeds, run the yellow and red lights, and you'll end up with worse accidents than if you had 4-way stops at each intersection. Just my two cents. No one at city hall cares anyway.

The road is being rebuilt south of West Elm. Does anyone know if it will eventually be rebuilt up to Willard as well? See http://seeclickfix.com/issues/119210 for possible next steps.

Paving will not continue on Central up this far this year.

However, I have discussed with the relevant City depts to include this signalized intersection as part of the paving further south and skim-patching on Yale when assessing options from the City's Complete Streets Manual during this work.

City Engineer has said he'll visit this intersection as part of the nearby project.

I'm very concerned about this intersection, as I live two blocks away and frequently accompany my son as he bikes through the neighborhood and across this intersection. Along with Yale Avenue, Central Avenue is among the more dangerous streets in Westville.

I appreciate Chris Heitman's and others' focus on re-engineering the street so as to facilitate pedestrian traffic and to calm and control vehicular traffic. The question is what will it take to convince the City to act?

Has a complete streets form been submitted? If so it would be helpful to post an image of it here, as recently done for the proposal for State & Bradley, another problematic intersection in New Haven.

Another accident at this intersection late last week. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt. Familiar story: driver crossing on Willard thought the intersection was "clear", started to go through, and a car came down Central at a high speed, thus surprising and crashing into the first driver. Anyone want to work on a Complete Streets request with me on this one? Perfect candidate for a "temporary" traffic circle here - quick and cheap.

I generally try to plan my trips to avoid this intersection, but end up passing through it at least once a day. It's bad. Happy to help.

Thanks, Mark. One other person reached to help put together a proposal. I'll give you a heads up about possible meeting times in the next week or two.

New Haven Public Schools should change the bus stops from this intersection to Alden and West Elm where there is a 4 way stop...

I want to reiterate the speeding problem on Central Avenue. Cars routinely travel along Central at 50-60 mph and do not stop for pedestrians attempting to cross the street at crosswalks. I live near Edgewood School, and the speedway on Central is very dangerous for children walking to school.

How is the proposal coming along?

This issue was recategorized from Uncategorized to Traffic/Road Safety.

Please submit this issue through New Haven’s “Complete Streets” program. To do this, please visit the Engineering Department’s “Complete Streets” website. Link Below:

http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/Engineering/completestreets.asp

There you will find a “Complete Streets Manual” and “Project Request Form”. The department has developed an entire program around improving New Haven’s streets in order to provide safer and more convenient access to a greater number of transportation modes. This issue is a good example of the types of ideas that fall under the “Complete Streets” scope.

A focal point of this program is to include feedback and ideas for street improvements from members of the community. You will also find previously submitted project requests from other community members.

Doesn't look like anyone submitted the complete streets form yet? Can anyone do it?

Hmmm this was originally posted in 2010!! Obviously, this is still an important issue that has not been resolved. Maybe Central Avenue Speedway should get some of the traffic calming measures mentioned instead of money being used for a bike path on Edgewood.

7 years later and nothing being done about Central Ave speedway!!!

Agreed! A 4-way stop would be very easy to establish at this intersection.

I completely agree. Among others, Forest Road between Derby Street and Fountain Street, (and the most of its intersections, Chapel Street for instance) is a dangerous road, where maximum speed is not respected and drastic measures to reduce speed are needed. Speed humps, narrowings traffic lanes, raised pedestrian crossing, more signs that detect vehicles exceeding maximum speed... are effective measures easy to implement. They can improve safety, reduce noise and air pollution and create a more livable environment in our busy and populated community of Westville.

I agree that this intersection is dangerous. I propose that we submit a Complete Streets Application in order to formalize our appeal to the City that action be taken to address this situation. I am happy to spearhead this, but who can lend their voice to the effort?
Email me at adammarchand25@gmail.com

Who wants to work with me on filling out a Complete Streets Application for this intersection?

No doubt, this intersection is a big problem. It is time for action. The question is, what can be done? Put another way, what solutions will the City's Transportation, Traffic & Parking Department support?

In response to public calls for action, and at my urging, TT&P Director Doug Hausladen instructed his senior traffic engineer to examine the crash data to see if the intersection meets the necessary criteria for a four-way stop. I will share the results of that analysis when I learn them. If the professional assessment supports a four-way stop, then great! If not, then we would have to make a strong case to the traffic commission in order for that body to override the professional recommendation. Not easy, but possible.

In the meantime, as we await the professional assessment, I say that we should submit a Complete Streets Application, which is the mechanism for residents to submit requests for traffic calming and other streetscape improvement measures. I have filled out these before and am happy to assist. I will reach out to a couple of neighbors soon to find a time this week or next to do this.

Stay tuned!

Adam Marchand
Alder, Ward 25
203-843-8102 cell”

I have not received any information yet from TT&P traffic engineers about the possibility of a four-way stop at Central and Yale/Willard. It's time to submit the Complete Streets Application, which a valiant resident has prepared. I invite residents to support of this application when invited!

Keep us posted Adam when we are invited to vote and thank you to Auguste whom I’m assuming filled out the application!!

Dear Neighbors, I submitted a Complete Streets Application for a 4-way stop at Central and Yale/Willard this morning. Please email the following officials to express your support of the application: mfiguero@newhavenct.gov, dhausladen@newhavenct.gov . If you would like a copy of the application that I submitted, please email me at auguste.fortin@yale.edu . Thank you.

Thank you Auguste for taking the lead on this! We will submit a letter of support from WVRA. Thank you Adam as well.

Yes, Auguste deserves recognition for taking initiative and filling out the Complete Streets Application. I will gladly follow up with City staff.

Best, Adam.

Alder Adam Marchand, Ward 25

I followed up with TT&P Director Doug Hausladen yesterday. He is aware of our Complete Streets Application, and he has directed his staff to review our proposal. If the traffic professionals agree that a four-way stop is warranted, then a recommendation will be made to the Traffic Commission to approve the proposal. If they don't agree, then I will have to write the Traffic Commission to request that our proposal be put on their agenda.

Stay tuned.

Best, Adam.

Thank you Adam!!!

As a homeowner on this corner, I have often been the first responder to the regular accidents in this intersection. I tried to advocate with previous Alder folks to no avail and appreciate you taking this on Adam! Thank you!

Hello everyone,

Last night another crash took place at this corner. I reached out to the TT&P leadership today to request that the professional analysis be expedited so that our Complete Streets Application for a four-way stop may be addressed as soon as possible.

Stay tuned, Adam.

The four-way stop has been installed for several weeks now. The final steps in the implementation--the painting of a stop bar and the word "STOP" on Central Avenue, northbound and southbound--should be completed soon. I will ask for more police attention to this corner, as well.

Dear Adam,
The Stop bar and "STOP" were painted Thursday night. This project seems to be complete. Thanks for all your support. The intersection is much quieter and safer.

With the implementation of the all way stop at this location this issue has been addressed. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Please place "All Way" signs below all 4 stop signs at this intersection. Thanks,

We have entered a work order for this request.

The All Way Stop sub plates have been installed. Thank you for your help and patience in this matter.