Authority approves two 'Do Not Block Driveway' signs at police headquarters to reduce queuing

The Norwalk Traffic Authority on Jan. 26 approved installation of two "Do Not Block Driveway" signs for the Norwalk Police Department's South Main and Monroe entrances to reduce signal-related queuing that can impede department access and a nearby school bus stop.

Benjamin Young introduced the brief request from Deputy Chief Denno, saying queues from an adjacent signal often back up past the police driveways. "We have traffic backing up at times ... where the driveway to the police department is completely blocked by stop traffic in both directions," Deputy Chief Denno told commissioners, adding that blocking a crosswalk as children exit a bus has occurred during peak times.

Staff noted precedent for this signage at a fire department entrance on Route 1 (Connecticut Avenue) and said the two driveway signs can be approved promptly. They also said a broader "Do Not Block Intersection" remedy would require additional queuing analysis, internal coordination and possible state and ordinance committee review.

Commissioners approved the driveway signs unanimously and asked staff to study whether an intersection-level restriction should be pursued later in coordination with state authorities and the ordinance committee.

Next steps: TMP will schedule installation of the two driveway signs and continue analysis about an intersection-level intervention.