Speed Limit To Be Increased On Rte. 32

It looks the Department of Transportation has finally recognized reality.

After years of people obliterating the speed limit on Route 32, the DOT will increase the speed limit from 40 mph to 45 mph. Additionally, the traffic lights will be synchronized to reduce rear-end collisions and create a more fluid traffic flow, according to the minutes of the police commission’s Aug. 8 meeting.

“You are talking about a four-lane highway,” First Selectman Dan Steward said. “Forty-five miles-per-hour is not unreasonable.”

The lights will now be synchronized on reds and greens so people can drive smoothly throughout the intersections, Steward said. This will both decrease the number of accidents and increase the traffic flow, he said.

Steward was not sure when the new speed limits or the light synchronization will go into effect. Route 32 is a state road and is controlled by the DOT, so it's that department's decision, Steward said.