GILLOTTI ROAD IN NEW FAIRFIELD
Like Sawmill Road, Gillotti Road is a locally maintained road that serves some thru traffic needs often associated with the functions of state roadways. There are several reasons for this. West and east ends of Gillotti Road (using minute portions of Maclean Drive and Barnum Road at the east end) terminate at Route 39. The distance traveled along Gillotti Road between its two intersections with Route 39 is a little over two miles.

 

But to travel between these same two points on Route 39 by using the more circuitous  state roadway itself would be a considerably greater distance of three and one tenth miles. Gillotti Road is also the most direct route to New Fairfield Center from most of the Ball Pond neighborhood. It is also an important link in the considerable daily commuter flow from New Fairfield into New York State.       

 

Thus for thru traffic there is little incentive to use Route 39 for east west travel when Gillotti road is available, part of the reason for the documented speeding on Gillotti Road in the vicinity of the New Fairfield High School.

 

Conn DOT average daily traffic volume statistics for 2000 also help reveal the role of Gillotti Road. While on Route 39 from the Center to the east end of Gillotti Road the volume is 10,200, north of Gillotti Road the Route 39 volume drops dramatically to 4,100. Then at the traffic signal at the west end of Gillotti Road the volume on Route 39 north of Gillotti Road is 7,100 but a higher 8,600 to the south, reflecting flow added from Gillotti Road.

 

The traffic circulation role and upgrading options for Gillotti Road have been local issue for several decades. In 1975 indicates that the late First Selectman William Raacke took the step of proposing the relocation of much of the western section of Gillotti Road to a new alignment north of the current road.

 

According to a News Times report of 8/27/1975 "The proposed construction would eliminate sharp curves near the Hidden Valley intersection and at points west of the new high school. A new section of Gillotti Road would be built in a straight line from Hidden Valley west to Route 39, passing through undeveloped and Town owned land."  But this proposal was dropped in 1976 when it became clear that the local share of a possible federal grant would not be available.

 

Interest in Gillotti Road improvement was revived by the Town in 1991, when  a traffic study of its deficiencies was conducted. By 1994 spot improvements along Gillotti Road had become defined as Conn DOT Project No. 90-91, including:

 

1. At the west intersection with Route 39, raise the profile of Gillotti Road to reduce the steep westbound approach grade, installation of a traffic signal at the intersection, and construction of turning lanes;

 

2. Correct poor sight line at the Ball Pond Road East intersection;

 

3. At Carriage Lane and Erin Drive combined intersections reduce curvature by flattening the Gillotti Road curve, and redesign so that only Carriage Lane will intersect with Gillotti, rerouting Erin Drive to intersect with Carriage Lane;

 

4. At East Lake Road intersection, correct poor sight line;

 

5. At High School Driveway intersection, add turning lanes; and

 

6. At Hidden Valley Park, realign the sharp horizontal curve and raise the profile to compensate for steep grades.

 

The improvements above were completed in the later nineties. However, early in 2000 the Town asked HVCEO to review the adequacy of the sight line and turning lane improvements made at the New Fairfield High School driveway.

 

The resulting 2000 Barkan and Mess Associates report found that while the posted speed limit in the vicinity of the High School was 25, the 85th percentile speed (the speed below which 85% of the traffic travels) was about 43 miles per hour. The all day traffic volume was 5,177.

 

There were several current problems identified, including queues of eastbound traffic on Gillotti Road waiting to turn left into the school driveway and obstructing eastbound through traffic from view, and that as a result exiting motorists turning left from the school driveway could not see vehicles approaching from the right.

 

Similarly, traffic in the westbound right turn lane on Gillotti Road obscured westbound through traffic for motorists exiting the school driveway. Also, the sight line for motorists exiting the school driveway is inadequate for the high prevailing speeds.

 

In addition, the stopping sight distance for eastbound vehicles on Gillotti Road was insufficient, given prevailing speeds so much higher than the posted limit. Other geometric problems were also observed.

 

Fortunately, "Regarding safety at the intersection, the accident data assembled does not indicate a frequency or collision type pattern that would suggest safety concerns.... Operationally, the biggest concern involves delays and queues for left turning vehicles entering the school driveway." 
 
Recommendations by Barkan and Mess included signage with flashing lights operating during peak periods to reduce sight line requirements, possible extension of the sight line to the west, some further widening of Gillotti Road, and channelization of turning movements into and out of the driveway.

 

These recommendation were then forwarded to Conn DOT for possible reactivation of the federal project that had funded completion of the earlier improvement here.

 

A memo of 9/27/2000 transmitted the Conn DOT reaction, basically proposing improvements of much less cost than those of Barkan and Mess. Approved were the school sign with flashing lights, moving of the driveway stop bar, narrowing of the painted island east of the driveway, and assigning a uniformed police officer to direct traffic during peak periods.

 

But the more expensive geometric changes suggested by the HVCEO report were all rejected. It appears the option available to the municipality is to see if the recommended Conn DOT changes reduce the problem,   then reapply for remedial funding if they do not.

 

TEA-21 ENHANCEMENT
PROJECTS IN NEW FAIRFIELD 

Periodically Conn DOT issues a solicitation for competitive grant proposals for a category of Federal Highway Administration funding known as "Enhancement." Allowable activities here include improvement of sidewalks, plantings, pedestrian amenities and other village type beautification, also historic bridge and rail station upgrades. However, the development of new sidewalks unrelated to comprehensive streetscape activities is not allowed with these monies.

 

As already noted Enhancement funds have been awarded to New Fairfield for upgrading of landscaping and walkways along Route 39. This streetscape and pedestrian access project is located on CT Route 39 in front of the Town Hall, Town Hall Annex, Library, Post Office, Cemetery and Memorial Field. This project is a component of a broader Town Center Area beautification plan incorporated into the Plan of Conservation and Development in 1999.

 

Components of the current grant include walk paths, signage, street lighting, plantings and a bus waiting area. The total cost is the minimum eligible grant size of $200,000, with this application requesting 80% of that total or $160,000.

 

Additional areas that may be eligible for this funding could be additional streetscape in the Town Center Area, especially the bridges at entrances, using the 1998 New Fairfield Center Beautification Plan as a guide.

 

Also, the initiation streetscape planning and implementation along Route 39 in the Candlewood Corners Area, as recommended by the 1998 Beautification Plan as a strategy to reduce accident rates, reduce speeds and beautify this hamlet area.