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Norwalk committee approves $377,000 design contract for South Main roundabout near new elementary school
Summary
The committee authorized a contract with VHB for up to $377,000 to design Norwalk’s first modern roundabout at the intersection adjacent to the new South Norwalk Elementary School. Staff said the work includes removing a rail spur abutment and creating a dedicated drop-off area; the vote was unanimous.
The Economic and Community Development Committee on March 17 authorized the mayor to enter an agreement with VHB for 100% design services, bid advertisement and bid analysis for a roundabout at South Main Street, Meadow Street, Wilson Avenue and Meadow Street Extension in an amount not to exceed $377,000.
Ben (TMP staff) described the project as tied to the new South Norwalk Elementary School, calling it Norwalk’s first modern roundabout. The plan calls for removing an old rail spur bridge abutment on city-owned property to re-align South Main Street and create a circular roundabout that will include a pick-up/drop-off area on the west side of South Main adjacent to the school.
Council member Freier moved the authorization. Council members discussed safety, traffic flow and community concerns. Council member Barbara Smith asked for collision- and safety-data on roundabouts; Ben said he did not have numerical data at the meeting but confirmed that roundabouts are a proven safety countermeasure in industry reports and that he would follow up with more detailed materials. Council members from the West Norwalk area raised resident concerns that a roundabout might increase traffic flow through nearby streets; staff responded a modern roundabout typically improves flow and reduces crash angles while also supporting safer pedestrian crossings.
Ben said the city intends to host a public meeting in the summer as design advances and that the project team hopes to take down the rail spur abutment as soon as possible so designers can analyze subsurface conditions. He said city staff want to minimize major construction activity once school opens in September and that they are pushing the schedule to do demolition work this summer.
The motion passed unanimously. The authorization covers design through bid advertisement and bid analysis; construction funding or construction schedule were not approved at this meeting.
