Greenwich Looks To Improve Pedestrian, Motorist Safety In Byram

GREENWICH, CT — A project aimed at increasing pedestrian and motorist safety at one of the more dangerous intersections in Byram received support from residents and the Board of Selectmen during a first read of the proposal on Thursday morning.

Greenwich Department of Public Works Commissioner James Michel appeared before the board to ask for Municipal Improvement status to make improvements to Delavan Avenue at Chestnut Street/Veterans Way, the site of several pedestrian and motor vehicle crashes over the years, according to Michel.

The project would add new high-visibility crosswalks, shorten the pedestrian crossing distances across each approach by about 50 percent, and add high-visibility pedestrian signage including Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), Michel said.

Additionally, the project would feature new ADA-accessible curb ramps and increased greenspace areas. The improvements are expected to have a traffic calming effect, and will not add any new vehicle movement restrictions. Michel said the project will not sacrifice any on-street parking spaces, or remove any trees.

Michel said DPW hopes to use money from the $300,000 that was earmarked in the current year's budget for Byram neighborhood improvements.

In the summer of 2021, resident Joe Kantorski went before the Greenwich Board of Selectmen on behalf of the Byram Neighborhood Association (BNA) to ask for help in implementing measures to increase safety for motorists and pedestrians.

He gave a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the dangers on some of Byram's streets, where he said bad driving habits, speeding, and the running of red lights and stop signs occurred frequently.

"This was raised as one of the main locations of concern. As many people know, Delavan is kind of a main arterial between I-95 and Port Chester. There's a significant amount of traffic that goes on that road," Michel said Thursday, noting there's a restaurant on one of the corners of Delavan at Chestnut, and the Byram Vets building on the other corner. New Lebanon School is also nearby.

"This is also a pretty significant pedestrian route for students going to the school, others going to downtown Byram, and others going to the library," Michel said.

New Lebanon School Principal Alexandra Michaelson spoke Thursday and said there are 17 students who live on Chestnut Street, and many, if not all, walk to school every day.

"Anything that the professionals in the field deem appropriate to enhance the safety of that area, I would of course support," she said.

DPW worked with the BNA to come up with solutions at this intersection, and the current proposal was the preferred choice, Michel said.

Liz Eckert, a Byram resident and vice chair of the BNA, urged the selectmen to move the project to the next step.

She recounted how in October 2019, her husband, Tom, was walking their dogs and crossing this particular intersection when he was hit by a driver coming down from I-95.

"[The driver] tried to cut off the traffic coming up Delavan, and without stopping, hit my husband at full speed as he was accelerating into the crosswalk," Eckert said. "He didn't see Tom until Tom was on his windshield."

Tom was thrown down Veterans Way. Still holding the dog leash, he sustained serious injuries to his shoulder and neck, which still bother him today, Eckert said.

"I'm shaking because this means a lot to me personally. On behalf of the BNA, we really, really urge you to go through with this," she said.

Kantorski spoke Thursday and thanked DPW for responding to resident concerns.

"Crossing the streets in Byram is a big deal, and it shouldn't be. This intersection is notorious for being a very dangerous intersection to try and cross," he said. "I'm looking forward to the time when students, seniors, you name it, anybody who wants to cross that street, really doesn't have to worry about being hit or being run over."

Another resident asked about implementing signage to reduce speed of drivers passing through the intersection.

Michel said the speeds on Delavan are not significantly higher than the posted speed limit, based on a yearlong study. The average speed is 27 miles per hour, and 85 percent of drivers drive at or below that speed.

There is a school zone sign in the area that shows real time speed for drivers only during the school zone timeframe. Michel said the sign could be activated so it's on at all times, but if it's on too much, drivers could stop paying attention to them.

"It is definitely a concern, but we think by narrowing [the crossing distances] down, it really does add some attention that there are pedestrians in these areas, and some emphasis that there are people crossing the road," Michel said.

David Wold, a member of the Byram Veterans Association, asked if DPW could improve access to the Byram Vets building for veterans, who are sometimes dropped off in front of the building or on the side.

Michel said his department can look at implementing a loading, unloading zone, but it would take away from some of the proposed greenspace.

First Selectman Fred Camillo asked if a bike lane could be added as part of the project, but there isn't enough space in the roadway to accommodate that feature, according to Michel.

The selectmen did not take any action on the proposal, and are expected to vote during their next scheduled meeting on Feb. 23.