Fairfield To Launch 'Vision Zero Pledge' To Thwart Roadway Fatalities

FAIRFIELD, CT — A news conference has been scheduled for Friday in Fairfield to cut the ribbon on the new roundabout at Redding and Dunham roads, and to announce the town's "Vision Zero Pledge," an initiative to end all road deaths and injuries in Fairfield by 2034.

The pledge, which will be signed by officials and department heads on Friday, is considered a shared responsibility, according to First Selectman Bill Gerber. Leaders of the town's Police, Fire, Public Works, Health, Social Services and Conservation departments are among those expected to sign the pledge.

"Setting zero as the only acceptable target sends a strong message: traffic deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable and preventable," Gerber said in a statement.

Friday's news conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the intersection of Redding and Dunham roads, where work on the new roundabout began in October.

Among those expected to speak at the news conference include:

• First Selectman Bill Gerber
• CT DOT Special Advisor Carlo Leone
• State Representative Sarah Keitt
• State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey
• Sarah Mason, Chairman, Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee
• Captain Hector Irizarry, Fairfield Police Department Special Services Commander
• Kyran Dunn, Interim Fire Chief
• William Hurley, Engineering Manager, Town of Fairfield

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

Redding Road has been the site of two fatal crashes in recent years.

Fairfield received $1 million in state funding, secured by Rep. Sarah Keitt, to help pay for the roundabout and other pedestrian and vehicle safety improvements in the Greenfield Hill area.

"Over the past several months, the Town has made a number of safety improvements to Redding Road, including edge lines that visually narrow the road and slow drivers, center rumble strips that warn drivers when they leave their lane, and reflective post delineators on all speed limit signs on Redding Road that catch the attention of drivers, especially at night," Gerber said.

Additionally, Fairfield has commissioned 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 Redding, Mill Plain, and Sturges roads. More traffic-calming and safety measures will also be implemented in other parts of town.

The following officials are expected to sign the town's "Vision Zero Pledge":

William A. Gerber, First Selectman; Robert Kalamaras, Chief of Police; Sarah Mason, Chairman, Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee; Kyran Dunn, Interim Fire Chief; Michael J. Testani, Superintendent of Schools; Jim Wendt, Planning Director, Town Plan and Zoning; William Hurley, Manager of Engineering; Megha Jain, Senior Civil Engineer; David Becker, COO, Interim CFO; Scott C. Jarzombek, Town Librarian; John Marsilio, Interim Director of Public Works; Julie DeMarco, Director of Human and Social Services; Mark S. Barnhart, Director of Community & Economic Development; Anthony R. Calabrese, Director of Parks & Recreation; Sands Cleary, Director of Health, Timothy J. Bishop, Director of Conservation; Jeffrey Minder, Tree Warden; Robert Wall, Chairman, Sustainable Fairfield; Mary Hogue, Chairman, Fairfield Forestry Committee.