'Choke Point' Intersection in Norwalk to Receive Improvements: State Sen. Duff

NORWALK, CT — The Westport Avenue/North Avenue and East Avenue intersection in Norwalk will be the site of a state-funded improvement project, announced State Sen. Bob Duff (D-25th).

Also known as the intersection of Route 1 and Route 53, the project is slated to "vastly improve traffic flow and public safety around one of the biggest vehicular 'choke points' in the City of Norwalk."

The work began January 14 and is expected to be completed on time and within budget by Labor Day, 2018.

"The intersection of Westport Avenue, East Avenue and North Avenue is what I call ‘choke point number one’ on our local roads," said Sen. Duff at a press conference with state Department of Transportation officials at the intersection Thursday. "This is a very old, very basic and very outdated intersection that has not kept pace with Norwalk’s business and housing growth. These improvements will result in wider lanes, better traffic flow, less vehicle idling, improved pedestrian and driver safety, and getting where you’re going quicker and safer, which are all good things."

The state Department of Transportation project will also upgrade the intersection of Route 1 (Connecticut Avenue) and Stuart Avenue, which is located near Interstate 95, between Lowe’s and Toys R’ Us. Together the two will cost $2.8 million.

Both sites will receive wider pavement, curbing and sidewalks; improved drainage, retaining walls and new traffic signals. Additionally, the streets will be milled and re-paved, and will receive new pavement striping and other painted markings.

Photo 1: Westport Avenue/North Avenue and East Avenue intersection via Google Maps; Photo 2: State Rep. Chris Perone, left, and State Sen. Bob Duff. Photo 2 credit: Contributed

(Editor's Note: Patch is re-posting this story in case you missed it the first time around.)