GREENWICH, CT — Left turns are now prohibited out of driveway No. 4, the main entrance for students onto the Greenwich High School property, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday.
Drivers will now have to turn right out of the driveway toward the Post Road.
Soon-to-be retired Greenwich Deputy Chief Kraig Gray, who also heads up the town’s parking services department, appeared before the selectmen Tuesday with the request.
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“I propose updating the ‘No Left Turn’ ordinance to include the GHS parking lot exit onto Hillside Road. This proposal has been developed in cooperation with Greenwich Public Schools administration and the Town of Greenwich Traffic Engineering Department, recognizing that a school policy alone is unenforceable on the public highway. Should a violation occur at this intersection, an ordinance is necessary to ensure that law enforcement officers can take appropriate action,” Gray said.
“This issue has been a long-brewing concern in the neighborhood and for the GHS administration. They have over time implemented other policies and practices none of which has wholly rectified the ongoing issue,” Gray added.
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Gray also noted that the town conducted a town-wide survey of residents’ perspectives on traffic in the Greenwich community, and GHS was identified as a consistent area of complaint.
Updating the left-hand prohibition of the town ordinance can enhance the safety of students, staff and the surrounding community, Gray noted.
“The change will reduce the traffic in the nearby residential neighborhoods, preserving the residents’ quality of life concerns about heavy traffic and directing the vehicles to US 1 East Putnam Avenue for improved traffic flow and distribution,” Gray said.
With school set to begin on Friday, the selectmen chose to vote on the agenda item rather than wait two weeks for a second read.
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