HARTFORD – State Rep. John Shaban (R-135) testified on February 11th before the Legislature’s Transportation Committee in support of his proposed bill designed to alleviate traffic on the Merritt Parkway.
Shaban’s bill — HB-5385, An Act Concerning Traffic Flow on the Merritt Parkway — seeks to require (a) the installation and operation of control signals to time traffic entry at entrance ramps (aka “ramp meters”) on the Merritt Parkway, coupled with (b) the imposition of reduced speed limits as appropriate. These measures would presumably be in use during high traffic time periods.
Ramp meters are stop-and-go traffic signals that time and regulate the entry of traffic on a roadway. The main goal of ramp metering – which was first implemented in Chicago in 1963 and has since been used in numerous urban areas with chronic traffic problems — is to control traffic flow, improve safety and reduce travel time for commuters.
“Notably, the estimated cost of installing five metered ramps is just over $1 million,” Rep. Shaban added. “This gives us the opportunity to bring a relatively quick, effective and inexpensive solution to bear, while we vet the other multi-billion proposals that might help many, many years from now.”
The bill is still before the Transportation Committee, which is responsible for addressing issues regarding highways and bridges, navigation, aeronautics, mass transit and railroads. If passed out of committee the bill could come before the entire legislature before session ends in June.