Construction Begins On Redding/Dunham Road Roundabout In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Construction has begun on a traffic roundabout at the intersection of Redding and Dunham roads in Fairfield, and the occasion was marked with a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday attended by local and state officials.

The permanent roundabout, modeled in part on similar roundabouts in Europe, is designed to help slow down traffic through the area, in addition to improving lines of sight issues at the low visibility intersection.

"It's a beautiful street, but in recent years it has had a tragic history," First Selectman Bill Gerber said of Redding Road. "We've had two deaths on this road [in the past four years]."

In July 2020, Pennsylvania resident Marileidy Morel-Araujo, 33, who was visiting family in Fairfield, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Redding Road. The vehicle responsible for the fatality was driven by Declan P. Kot, who is currently serving seven years in prison for the crime.

The second fatality was that of Fairfield resident Meghan Raveis, 45, who was struck by a vehicle in June 2023. Meghan Rice, of Newtown, was the driver of the vehicle and was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle and related violations. Rice's next court date is Nov. 1.

The new roundabout, which Gerber said is the first of what will likely be more in town, is partially funded by a $1 million from the state, money that was secured by Rep. Sarah Keitt, who was also on hand for the groundbreaking.

"I am just so thrilled to be able to bring back this money to the district for this project," Keitt said. "I want to applaud the First Selectman and his entire administration for their attention to pedestrian safety here in town. This is a first step, there's still so much more we need to do throughout town."

Fairfield is currently commissioning a study to define the boundaries of the town's right-of-way and to review and analyze intersecting roads for vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle safety on other parts of Redding Road, in addition to Mill Plain Road and Sturges Highway, among others.

Dr. Denise Fernandez, who was related to Morel-Araujo, said the groundbreaking is emotional for her and her family, and brings back memories of that fateful day in 2020. Fernandez, who has lived on Redding Road for nearly two decades, spearheaded a petition drive for safety measures along the street.

"It's very rewarding to stand here today, I'm honored to be here to see that changes are going to come to Redding Road to calm down the traffic and the speeding issues that have occurred," Fernandez said.

Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras said that over the years, the department has issued thousands of tickets to drivers along Redding Road, but in addition to enforcement, education and engineering are also key components to traffic safety.

"This is a proven safety countermeasure that will definitely create some improvement in not only in the speed of vehicles, but also the safety of the turning conflicts that occur at this intersection," Kalamaras said.

Construction of the new roundabout is expected to take about two months, and is being done by the town's Department of Public Works.

Photo groundbreaking photo caption information:

From left to right, Selectman Christine Vitale; Fairfield resident Sarah Roy; Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee Chair Sarah Mason; Engineering Manager Bill Hurley; Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras; General Supervisor of Streets & Highways, Public Works Jim Carney; State Representative Sarah Keitt; First Selectman Bill Gerber; Assistant Director of Public Works John Cottell; Fairfield resident Denise Fernandez; Chief of Staff Christine Brown; Emergency Management Director David Becker; Interim Acting Fire Chief Kyran Dunn