Commission directs study for White Oak–Shea intersection; staff proposes flashing radar sign

The New Canaan Police Commission on July 16 directed staff to study the White Oak–Shea intersection and discussed near‑term options to improve visibility and safety. Traffic staff said a consultant proposal for the full intersection study is pending but presented an interim option: a radar‑activated, flashing stop sign identical to the device in the town‑hall parking lot. The staff member said the sign and installation quoted at "$5,700" could be purchased and installed before completing the full study. Commissioners described the intersection as confusing because two legs have stop signs while a third leg does not, and said commuter traffic now uses the street as a Parkway bypass. One commissioner said a younger driver who regularly uses the route told staff he often missed a stop sign at the bridge, which helped prompt consideration of an upgraded flashing sign for the northbound approach. Staff noted the town may need to upgrade older beacon systems and that, by local practice, adding a new stop sign on a particular approach requires completion of an engineering/study process. Commissioners asked staff to proceed with the study and to pursue the flashing northbound sign in advance of full study results so improvements are in place before the school year. No formal recorded motion to purchase the sign appears in the transcript; the directive recorded was to perform the traffic study and to pursue installation of an interim flashing sign at the northbound approach. Any purchase or installation will be subject to procurement and accessibility requirements; staff told commissioners they expect to complete accessible ramp work at the corner before school begins.