Commission Abandons Plan To Block East End Of Old Stonington Road
The Board of Police Commissioners has decided not to go ahead with a plan to close off the east end of Old Stonington Road and instead continue to restrict traffic at the intersection and improve signs.
Serious accidents at the intersection and complaints that it is dangerous prompted the town to erect a “no outlet” sign for motorists turning onto Route 1 from the eastern end of the road, as well as a “no left turn” sign for motorists traveling east on Route 1 who want to turn left into the street's eastern entrance.
Drivers ignored the signs.
Police Chief David Erskine proposed closing off access to the road and installing a guardrail. Drivers would have had to enter the road from its westernmost intersection with Route 1.
But some residents and members of the Quiambaug Fire Department, which is on Old Stonington Road, criticized the plan. While fire trucks do not use the easterly access, Erskine said firefighters headed to the station from the east do use it.
Erskine said cars heading west on Route 1 will be allowed to turn right into the entrance but drivers heading east on Route 1 will not be able to turn left into the east end on Old Stonington Road. In addition, drivers will still be banned from making a left- or right-hand turn out of the road's easterly intersection with Route 1. Erskine said signs have been improved to better alert drivers to the restrictions.
— Joe Wojtas
Stonington