No Changes In Store For Guilford Green Traffic

Reconfiguring the traffic pattern around the making it one way, will not make the area safer, improve traffic flow or create more parking spaces according to a two-month study just completed. 

The committee, tasked with reviewing the issues, was comprised of the First Selectman Joseph S. Mazza, Economic Development Coordinator Brian McGlone, Town Engineer James Portley, Chief of Police Thomas Terribile, Deputy Chief Jeff Hutchinson and Police Commissioner Jeff Heburg, with input from downtown businesses and the State of Connecticut.

The suggestion to look into changing the traffic pattern came from Hedburg, responsible for bringing before the commission any issues concerning traffic in town. After observing increased traffic around the town green Hedburg was concerned about vehicular and pedestrian safety, as well as traffic flow.

“Is there anything we can be doing better with traffic around the green, both from a traffic pattern standpoint or safety of both pedestrians and drivers,” said Hedberg, reflecting on his concerns. “Then as an aside to that, if we could do something that would benefit the businesses around the green to improve parking and accessibility to the shops and restaurants.”

The green is one way only four days a year, during the Guilford Handcraft Exhibition. 

The streets involved are Park Street, Broad Street, Whitfield Street/Route 77 and Boston Street/Route 146.  The traffic flows south along Whitfield, east to Boston Street, north along Park Street and west along Broad Street.  This is the same configuration the committee considered in thinking of a permanent solution to Hedburg’s concern.

In studying the possibility of freeing up more space for increased parking the committee reviewed implementing diagonal parking on both sides of Whitfield Street.  While initially it was thought this would add about 20 extra parking spaces that was ultimately proved false and actually opened up more concerns for the committee.

“We did take a look at past history of accidents around the green and there really haven’t been any real issues so it's not like we really had to correct the situation, “ said Hedburg.

On the contrary, the committee found that the change could have actually been detrimental to local traffic. 

“Without getting the extra parking spaces the merchants had a concern that one way traffic actually tends to increase people’s speed as opposed to slowing it down,” said McGlone.  “Because they’re not looking necessarily for the cars coming the other way.”

Another major stumbling block was that the change in parking would actually narrow the street and cause problems for larger vehicles needing to travel the Whitfield Street route.

“That would cause a problem for delivery trucks. It would cause a problem for emergency service vehicles, like fire trucks and ambulances and create some congestion,” said Mazza.

While some merchants thought this initially sounded like a good idea many of them changed their minds once they understand all the specifics of the suggested changes.

“I think it would be a hindrance,” said Jennifer Cowie, owner of Mix Design Store and a member of the economic development commission. “People would only have one route onto the shops at Whitfield Street, so if they’re out of towners and they miss a shop they would have to go all around again.”

Cowie believes downtown has plenty of parking.  She pointed out that there are many spaces behind the Guilford Food Center and the Town Hall.  In addition, Frank’s Package Store and Page Hardware have ample parking behind their storefronts reserved for their customers.

“I think what we need to do is just perhaps have better signage,” said Cowie  “I just think it just needs to be pointed out to people where they can park.”

While this committee has completed their work, there are lingering concerns about making downtown Guilford more user friendly and easier for local residents and visitors, alike, to stop and shop.

“The good news is that with all the additional restaurants we have in town and all the retail expansion there’s more activity downtown around the green,” said McGlone. 

Creating more parking spaces, to keep up with the economic growth, is an issue that remains on the agenda in the first selectman’s office.  “We’re in the process of creating more parking spaces,” said Mazza.  “We’re talking to various landlords around the area to see what we can do to create more parking.”