SENATOR BOUCHER and REPRESENTATIVE SCRIBNER Respond Quickly to Traffic Warning Signs Requests (8th UPDATE)

Report and Photos by Paula Antolini

Regarding the topic of getting traffic warning signs on the road approaches to the Bethel train crossings, especially at the Greenwood Avenue crossing in Bethel, CT, I contacted the offices of Governor Dannel Malloy, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, CT State Senator Toni Boucher, CT State Representative David Scribner, and CT State Representative Dan Carter.

Although we are still in the questions stage, two individuals got back to me within hours today, and those are CT State Representative David Scribner and a legislative aid (Alex Genovesi) to U.S. Senator Toni Boucher.  Boucher understands that the Bethel residents' request is for traffic warning signage, not information about the railroad malfunctions (although yes, everyone wants the train gates fixed) and although they received a response from the DOT they now wrote back to them for clarification, because the DOT only spoke about the safety on the Danbury line, and the stop and warn policy, and not the traffic warning signs.  

Here are their responses:

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FROM REPRESENTATIVE SCRIBNER:

Tue, Mar 4, 2014 11:28 am

Dear Paula,
Please know that I have sent two alerts to the Department of Transportation. I have requested they look into this issue and get back to me with information. To date, I have not received a response in return. When I hear back,  I will be sure to notify you.
Thank you for your email.
Sincerely,
David A. Scribner
State Representative
107th District

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FROM SENATOR BOUCHER:

Tue, Mar 4, 2014 1:41 pm

Dear Paula,
Thank you for your email. Our office contacted the DOT regarding the rail crossing on Greenwood Avenue in Bethel. Our understanding was that Bethel residents had requested that temporary signage be installed on Greenwood Avenue to warn motorists that the safety gates are not working, and that the town had forwarded this request on to the DOT for their consideration. We emailed the DOT to ask what the status of that request is. So far they have responded with general information about safety on the Danbury line, and the stop and warn policy. Our office has written back to clarify that we are looking for information specifically about the request to install  temporary signage on Greenwood Avenue. I hope to get a response from the DOT soon and will follow up with you when I hear back from them.

Best Regards,

Alex Genovesi
Legislative Aide to Senator Boucher

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I will post more information as I receive it.