The What: Merritt Parkway–Route 7 Update; Safe Streets in Fairfield, and more

Kelly Prinz -

Monday, June 23 

Happy Monday! We’ll have a deep dive into the school budget challenges—and solutions—that districts across the region faced next week, but if you’re curious how Norwalk’s budget situation turned out, check out the latest from NancyonNorwalk.

Highlights 

This section gives a brief overview of the key items in the newsletter.

  • Residents are invited to get a look at the latest plans and next steps for the Merritt Parkway–Route 7 construction project, scheduled to begin in 2027. There will be a Route 7/15 Public Information Session in Norwalk on Tuesday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m. 
  • Fairfield is hosting a Safe Streets Campaign Launch on Monday, June 23 at 10:30 a.m., as part of the town’s efforts to change “our attitudes, our behavior, and our culture around the way we drive, bike, and walk in Fairfield.”
  • The Connecticut Siting Council, which oversees electric infrastructure in the state, is voting on United Illuminating's application to install overhead monopoles through Fairfield and Bridgeport on Thursday, June 26. The council took a straw poll earlier this month, where commissioners voted to deny the application. 

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

Improving the connections between Merritt Parkway and Route 7 and enhancing local roads—particularly safety and mobility are the two main goals of Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Route 7/15 project. 

The project has been discussed for more than 20 years, but state officials say it's finally getting close to shovels in the ground. 

“The project will now proceed to preliminary and final design,” a statement from CTDOT reads.

However, some local transportation advocates have said the project doesn’t go far enough in making the roads safer for all users. In particular, advocates are voicing their frustration that the plans don’t incorporate an off-road trail for the Norwalk River Valley Trail. 

“The current proposal ignores all of the requests we submitted in August 2023 and does nothing to accommodate the Norwalk River Valley Trail,” a statement from Sustainable Streets Norwalk, a local advocacy group, reads. “Instead, they’re looking to route the trail onto Main Avenue to get under the Merritt with a painted bike lane, which is inaccessible for many people who ride on the NRVT, including children.” 

Members of the public will get a chance to look at the latest plans for the $162 million project at a public information meeting in Norwalk on June 24 at 6:30 p.m. 

Check out the latest on the plans or watch our previous video on the proposal. 

This Week at a Glance

This section aims to highlight the most important meetings and news taking place each week.

  • In Stamford, the  Fiscal Committee will meet on Monday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. and vote on numerous items, including a request for $500,000 to go toward a $12.5 million project that would bring a “community commons” to Mill River park. The plans call for it to be “a downtown hub with event space, restrooms, greenspace, and more to support year-round activity and economic growth.”
  • In Norwalk, the Common Council will meet on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. and vote on plans for a new Broad River Baseball Complex, which would include grass outfields and clay infields. In addition, the council will vote on a $200,000 contract with Mid-Fairfield Community Care Center for its Latinx Integrated Care (LINC) Program that supports recently arrived Spanish-speaking immigrants enrolled in Norwalk Public Schools.
  • Also in Norwalk, there will be a Route 7/15 Public Information Session on Tuesday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m., featuring CTDOT staff. There will be an open house from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with an informational presentation at 7 p.m. Check out the latest plans. 
  • In Fairfield, the Representative Town Meeting is meeting on Monday, June 23 at 8 p.m.and will vote on supporting plans for an “open space trail” at 150 Villa Avenue. 
  • Also in Fairfield, there will be a Safe Streets Campaign Launch event on Monday, June 23 at 10:30 a.m.  “This campaign focuses on changing our attitudes, our behavior, and our culture around the way we drive, bike, and walk in Fairfield,” said First Selectman Bill Gerber in a statement. “Every single one of us, adults and children alike, plays a part in making our streets safer. We’re asking residents to step up, take the pledge, and be part of slower, safer, friendlier roads in our community.”
  • And in Fairfield, there will be a Safe Streets Expert Panel Discussion on Wednesday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. This follows Fairfield’s adoption of Vision Zero, a strategy to reduce traffic deaths to zero, last year. Learn more about pedestrian safety efforts around southwest Connecticut. 
  • In Darien, the Planning & Zoning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, and continue discussing banning smoke shops, vape shops, and tattoo parlors in the town. 

Plan Your Week

This section includes a list of meetings, events, and programming happening around southwest Connecticut each week.

Bridgeport

Stamford

Norwalk

Fairfield

Greenwich

Darien

Westport

Stay in touch!

As we continue to grow and evolve, please join us! You can do that by:

Please note: All of these agendas and information here are current as of Sunday night. Meeting times and agendas may get adjusted throughout the week.

Have a great week,

Kelly Prinz

Founder, Reporter at Coastal Connecticut Times