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Norwalk Joins Darien in Through Truck Ban on Route 136


by turfgrrl


June 29th, 2007 · 22 Comments

Mayor Moccia announced that Norwalk and Darien will jointly ask the State Traffic Commission to ban through trucks on route 136. This tactic might have a better chance of being successful. From the Norwalk Advocate:

The traffic commission, an arm of the state Department of Transportation, last week tabled any action on Darien’s proposed ban until Norwalk filed a joint application. The STC panel could act on the new application as early as next month, Klein said.

State law defines a through truck as one that does not originate in a municipality or make any stops in it. For more than a year, residents have sought state intervention to prohibit such trucks on the 4.1-mile stretch of Route 136 from Rowayton to Exit 12 of Interstate 95 in Darien.

These trucks could use Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in South Norwalk to get to I-95, residents said. UPS and FedEx trucks that originate in South Norwalk and do not fit the definition of through trucks could use MLK, an industrial, four-lane road, instead of the two-lane, residential Route 136, ban proponents said.

I think the last sentence got magled in the copy edit stage over at the Advocate, since UPS and FedEx delivery trucks could more obviously use Route 136. Unless residents really want to ban the delivery trucks too, which is of course possible. A rose is a rose is a rose, but a truck is a truck of many sizes and purposes. I suggest tractor-trailer trucks or gross tonnage, or number of wheels be used as definition in addition to through truck language.

source: Norwalk Advocate, Officials to press for Route 136 through-truck ban, By James Lomuscio, June 29, 2007

Tags: In the News · Norwalk

22 Responses so far ↓ “Norwalk Joins Darien in Through Truck Ban on Route 136”



  • 1 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 11:51 am

    Something else for Moccia to take credit for when he runs for re-election. Didn’t take long for him to jump on the bandwagon that the residents of Rowayton started.

  • 2 Roton Homeowner // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:00 pm

    If he succeeds where others have failed, why not give the man his credit? If he fails, then he’s just as ineffective as the rest. Why is this so hard for you?

  • 3 just asking // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:02 pm

    Negative, negative, negative! Thats about all that can be said about above poster. The Mayor is doing his job. The residents contacted him, he responded! What is it you people want? If he didn’t respond you would be yelling, he does respond and you criticize. Are you all drinking or snorting some funny stuff? Do you people think that just because you want something done it can magically be done without footwork? The State and Federal Government don’t work that way. There are rules, regulations and procedures that need to be followed before you can get even one person to listen and then to get them to respond is a whole different story. Have you ever tried contacting a state or federal official? Perhaps one day you should try. The red tape, green tape chain of command and every other obstacle imaginable gets in your way. So before you go playing politics, take a walk on the wild side and try to get these things done. Coming out in numbers is a way to get attention. As with everything else in life, results come to those who persue the subject and as we have seen the Mayor has done just that. He didn’t make one phone call and close the door, he persued it and followed it through.

  • 4 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 1:23 pm

    #1 If you had attended the meeting you might have learned that the Mayor sent out a letter in November of 2006 requesting the ban, and had the corporation council argue for the city at two meetings held in Newington before the Commision. You might also have learned that he personally was in Rowayton during the slow down week in March of 2006 to observe the truck traffic and discussed the problem with residents at that time. But.I used the word learned, that apparently is a word that the Mayor’s enemies never use. So he did not jump on the bandwagon, he along with Mike Barbis, Bob Duff, Yvonne Klein, Andy Glazier actually drove the bandwagon. I would love occasionally to see some true facts on this site by the Norwalk bashers instead of misstatements.

  • 5 Mr Greenpeace // Jun 29, 2007 at 2:25 pm

    everyone defend the mayor everyone defend Duff who is representing the 100’s of kids on Woodward, Meadow and water st the other way to the highway,,not one word not one mention of the other direction,,

    The safety on the other side of the green grass and fence didn’t seem to enter into the discussion or did I miss something..besides there are two issues that have not been addressed one the DOT has no control over,,so when it comes time to debate this maybe a big wrench should be thrown in until the powers to be reconize how the other half live and I don’t mean Rowayton.

    Its odd how people can only think of themselves as if we didn’t exist on the other side of MLK and how are we going to enforce this law when the ones we have on the books are ignored..and the study paid for by drug assets did they suggest more patrolmen on the street?Who is going to enforce it and are we going to be taking cruisers out of the loop with shootings and assualts and robberies going on to run to Rowayton for one truck..get serious people

    All we had to do is build a bridge over the road with a low overhang then only cars and vans could pass and trucks can’t I don’t care if we don’t use the bridge for anything it will be as useless as most of our politicians.

    The police said $17,000 dollar fine could be leveled on one truck is that based on a 70,000 lb load? Who gets the money and if we do why don’t we do that every day on Meadow st where they could genrate more $$$$$,,I love it when these guys talk out of the side of their mouths and say nothing..the news reporters don’t know what to ask their just as lost they are not investigative reporters..

    so I trust we will spin our wheels and forget the issues at hand and worry about the traffic pattern so downtown sono looks like 95 at rush hour..but who cares its not Rowayton,,and yes the mayor does his job and sometimes a very poor one..

    attack my posting rip me apart tell me I”m wrong I don’t care just like what I have just read its words but when we have a child get hit on Woodward ave or Meadow st I’m sure it will be just another kid over there near all that industrial stuff we didn’t want here..

  • 6 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 4:00 pm

    Mr. greenpeace as always you are correct when it comes to the fact that this problem extends far past the borders of Rte#136 and hopefully by getting this taken care of it will relieve the fear of any parent/child who lives in and around Woodward, Meadow and Water Street. Then we can start looking at Gregory Blvd, East Ave, Westport Ave and Strawberry Hill where these same trucks drive like they are at a Nascar event.

  • 7 Mr Greenpeace // Jun 29, 2007 at 4:28 pm

    to posting number #4 if he was there in March 2006 what he learned was fact what were the facts,,a breakdown of that week would be nice seeing as though the news reporters were not able to get that when the last articles were written.

    You want to talk facts produce what happened that week, number of voilations, arrests, towing of vehicles unlicensed unisured vehilcles ,where and what times all important info for the records correct?

    We have this thing going on in Norwalk called accountability we are asking for it I know childish but just the same some of us are talking about it ,,lets see what you get over there on the facts of the week and pass it on to us ,I am asking you to work with us for us..please

    yes we did see the numbers of tickets and citations written it was impressive , but how many went to court and paid a fine, how many warrants were generated out of that week how many was dismissed I think you find the numbers may be deceiving..We wanted to see them to see if the places that have accidents all the time are being covered by enforcement.

    more accidents have probably occured at Meadow st and Woodward ave alone this year than in Rowayton for the last two years.Most are because of speed and narrow roads along side of big trucks..sound familiar?

    This year we had slow down week after school got out no busses not as much traffic and if the numbers are higher so we need more patrols don’t we,,where do you think your going to get the extra coverage when we as a city don’t have enough for everyday crime?

    and don’t worry posting #3 we don’t have to snort anything or drink to know what the deal is with our city I’m sure if they found a plume of contaminants out on Wilson Point we all would forget where it was..partying does that to people who ask serious questions like us,oh I’m sorry they have me over here talking democrats and republicans differant kind of party its all confusing your right i better go now..before i lose your attention,,

  • 8 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 5:02 pm

    I remember when MLK drive was extended from the infamous “bridge to nowhere” back in the 80’s. As I recall, the city and state officials tried to get the state to ban the trucks (other than delivery) from using roads other than the MLK route to 95. Once again I don’t think Norwalk had the clout in the legislature to get anymore than a watered down directive.
    This past week, I was in Rowayton for the Shakespeare play, and was horrified to witness (along with hundreds of others) 2 TANDEM FedX trucks pass behind the stage on Rte. 136 after dark. I hope that Bob Duff, the mayor and other elected officials succeed in getting large trucks banned from 136.

  • 9 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 5:27 pm

    Mr Greenpeace, do you work? You want details and analysis, if the police who you claim are never in the right place at the right time had to do what you want them to do, they would never be out on the street. Now the mayor was there in March and he talked to residents one on one, what kind of report do you want him to make, my God you want him to write a report everytime he had a converstaion with every citizen It appears he had general conversation to get their thoughts.
    As far as the violations, all you have to do is to ask the police for the breakdown, you have time to drive all over town finding fault with everything, drive to the HQ and get the answers you want. How many went to court is a state function,just to educate you, if the person does not show up, a warrant is issued for his arrest, now honestly speaking the police are not going to start tracking those people down, but if they are stopped again they are arrested. With regards to building a bridge, I hope you were joking. By the way if again you knew what you were talking about,the enforcement would come from Darien because the no thru trucks would mean that any truck orignating from Norwalk could not go thru Darien. Norwalk would only post the signs warning the drivers. Just have to get the facts to you instead of the inaccurate statements you make. Talking about getting serious, your proposed building a bridge over a road for no good reason and you talk about getting serious. Did you know that on average several hunded trucks day go thru Rowayton on the way to Darien, not just one. With regards to the $17,000 the money goes to the state, why doesn’t the city get it, since you know everything haven’t you figured it out, it is called state law, the state passed it that way to keep the money. With regards to Meadow Stree traffic, Grasso contruction which sends trucks through Rowyaton, is on 136 and is obviosuly past Meadow, so none of their trucks endanger the residents. Fed Ex is located at the end of Meadow just before 136 so no threat to its citizens other than a normal delivery run. UPS goes down Martin Luther no threat. So Lajoie could be the only culprit, but he is not sending out 600 trucks a day, so tell me by posting an officer on Meadow street, how many trucks are we going to stop for speeding etc, I am sure some; but probably at no higher rate than the rest of the city. With regards to the traffic in SONO, what does that mean, it is a busy area and has traffic what has that got to do with anything, maybe we should shut SONO and have no one go there. This constant whining about SONO being neglected, no cares about us, oh whoa is me, is ridiuclous. You want more police but probably would complain about high taxes if they were added, but you are never satisfied with the job they do anyway. Speaking of snorting. Many think that you appear to be on something that causes total lack of common sense or the abilty to work on your own to get the information. COME ON FOLKS, LETS BUILD A BRIDGE TO NOWHERE AT THE COST OF SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS ACROSS MLK DRIVE SO THE TRUCKS WILL NOT GO DOWN THE ROAD. THINK ABOUT IT. Believe me you have not lost anyone’s attention, most normal people just shake their head.

  • 10 Mr Greenpeace // Jun 29, 2007 at 6:59 pm

    thank you posting #9 seeing what you wrote tells me some have no idea what goes on along Meadow st. I don’t whine I point out the obvious and struck some nerve in doing it. It worked didn’t it. Things that wern’t mentioned you brought up funny how things play out.

    Even I realize the mayor could not report back to the city all the time there wouldn’t be enough time for photo opts.

    Most normal people read the entire posting and understood the bridge part was a red herring, do I really need to explain the joke?

    But I do respect you don’t want trucks in your area I hope you get what you want but its not the only priority in Norwalk is it?

    that was good thou I enjoyed your rant just the same. it was worth as much as a 1/2 price ticket on the Titanic..

    Have a good fouth

  • 11 Watchdog // Jun 29, 2007 at 7:13 pm

    Anonymous, whatever would provoke you to challenge Mr. Greenpeace? Some things are just quietly and respectfully understood. Surely, you must see that Mr. Greenpeace has delicately woven his unique signature into the lining of the yourct.com tapestry. Several posters, like me, profess a fondness for Mr. Greenpeace and his lengthy rants. We have come to expect them, like clockwork, to remind ourselves that there are honest, genuine citizens who maintain a focus on very real, heartfelt neighborhood concerns apart from the usual abrasive partisan politics. For me, a cup of coffee and a Greenpeace rant set the stage for a perfect day.

  • 12 Anon432 // Jun 29, 2007 at 7:25 pm

    I like looking for you Watchdog. You have a sweet Irish like take on things.

  • 13 Watchdog // Jun 29, 2007 at 8:04 pm

    #12
    Thank you, my friend, and as my great-grandmother used to say, “Beagan agus a ra go maith.”

    Your heart is my mirror.

  • 14 Truthfull Taxpayer // Jun 29, 2007 at 10:02 pm

    #9 Anonymous You’re very rude and seem pretty disturbed by our friend Mr. Greenpeace and his posting. I hope that you calm down before you end up with a heart attack or stroke. You seem to be a type A personality.

    Speaking of strokes, could you please stop screaming on your post. There are many of us here who do respect each other and Mr. Greenpeace even if we don’t always agree with each other. Get a sense of humour and a sense of your community.

  • 15 Beach Bum // Jun 29, 2007 at 10:21 pm

    Greenpeace man, You may consider the bridge idea to be a red herring but I think it’s a great idea. Seriously! The Metro-North bridge over East Ave does divert those those tractor-trailers away from the beach community in East Norwalk. Maybe Rowayton can get a civil engineer to do some pro bono work: design a lovely bridge to their lovely community. Merrit Pkwy has some really nice bridges to copy from.

  • 16 Mr Greenpeace // Jun 29, 2007 at 11:56 pm

    I was actually thinking of a two uprights and a crossbar of pvc pipe,,they have them on Storrow Drive in Boston,,or go find an old goal poast and turn it upside down just something that would enhance the thought of low bridge ahead,,

    I honestly thank all my supporters I also respect the critics it shows their is passion and concern for improvements ,,it also shows something else, take a simple measure to ensure safety, quality of life ask for something that should be a given at times and its not taking it to city hall but bringing city hall to the problem. Change should be so hard for the sake of our children?

    I did contribute a letter or two to the DOT I did ask questions I actually called 860 594 3020 and had a few conversations with officials all of them supporting the measures but with concern for other things that could help the the entire community. I was surprised that when they tabled the motion is what they wanted from the city and planners something I would of thought was a given from the start.For that I would assume a traffic study with what I asked for will be there, see a reason I ask these questions see if we are out here slamming each other or finding solutions. I have to admit I like bringing out the worst in people ,,

    I also have to admit the the trucks bringing scrap to the junk yards from all over the state when steel is at all time high during the school year was more than a couple of trucks it was non stop all trying to get there early to free up their trucks and get out of there early morning while the kids were waiting for their busses.Its always been a concern,,any idea how many busses leave this lot and come through water street out? Laidlaw also has trash trucks along side of the busses I trust you know that as well..all coming and going via Water Street ..

    To think Lajoys having a scale for big trucks brought them this way down Meadow and out to 95 and not the other way,,some common sense and knowing the area helps one observe this.Knowing where the scales are would be another plus in asking for the facts..what about BFI the trucks alone are beyond Grasso next to lajoys and consolidates into 48 or 58 foot box trailors for dispoasl have we forgot them as well..again how many large truck scales can you find here in South Norwalk?

    Pepperage Farm trucks, trucks going into and out of the power plant( 18 wheelers) and that my friend on Woodward ave is traffic in volume, the ups the fed ex , and the Emery trucks are more than a slight inconveniance, we also have at least in volume of small business’s and trucks matching anything that comes out of Grasso,,another fact my friend.South Norwalk is honeycombed with large trucks from business’s most are ten wheeels but again there here..they need a road to leave on don’t they, they also pay taxes here in Norwalk don’t they deserve what everone else enjoys freedom of the road.There is an industrial park or two that never seem to get mentioned..off of woodward ave.

    Then there are the convoys of boats yes yachts on trailors assited by the Ct State police as many as four at a time all on tractor trailer flatbeds, raising power lines to navigate our streets ,how in the hell do you think they get to Water street there are all train tressel bridges from the Point to N main st yes the boat companies own water street before the season and after,,no complaints though they are paying taxes and the rigs pass inspection and wait till the kids are in school..so we wait for a 1/2 hour or go around its a way of life..don’t like boats live in Arizona..

    The indsutrial business who need chemicals and supply including a paint stores need trucks to service them a way of life, throughout Norwalk

    So when your talking fact on Meadow st either live here or come visit before you talk facts and when I ask for studies i ask when and where they were done ,,the DOT is also concerned that the whole picture gets told and not what a handful of people want it to say..there are more than what I and everyone out here says,,

    this bring another night to an end

    all enjoy and have a safe 4th of July

  • 17 anonymous // Jun 30, 2007 at 12:25 pm

    What could be more ridiculous than asking for this ban of trucks through Rowayton and Darien?

    How about the preposterous attitude of the residents of these neighborhoods who order a ton of things shipped to their houses via FedEx and UPS, but don’t want trucks driving through?

    These shipping companies have terminals in Norwalk that serve the neighboring towns. The’yve got to get to the next town somehow. A state route is the most viable route.

    But we’re Darien (Rowayton). We shouldn’t have to listen to noise!

    Maybe Darien and Rowayton should secede from the nation, since they think they are not part of the rest of us. Maybe there should be a ban on SUV’s there too, since they take up more space, waste valuable resources, and create several safety hazards?

    Or maybe, FedEx and UPS can live with the ban and just program their systems to charge a surcharge to all businesses and residents of Darien and Rowayton.

    This wouldn’t happen in Westport, Greenwich or New Canaan. Talk about a Freudian small town envy.

  • 18 Aunt Bertha // Jun 30, 2007 at 3:36 pm

    So does this mean that the trucks will be traveling on RT 1 (post Road) and only I 95? Pitcure that one on a Saturday afternoon like today. It must be nice to think that your property is more important to others that surround you. No 136 truck travel will mess up roads like RT1, Flax Hill, Strawberry Hill, Wolfpit,etc… How about enforcing speed limit and weight limit on trucks until they get fined it won’t matter.

  • 19 Can't sleep // Jul 11, 2007 at 2:55 pm

    What about 18 wheelers going down Strawberry Hill Ave. at 5:00 in the morning?? Are they trying to sneak down the street, when you can hear them a mile away? USE EAST AVENUE!

  • 20 Anonymous // Jul 18, 2007 at 3:22 pm

    New update at http://www.rowaytonct.com/trafficabatement.html

  • 21 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 10:07 am

    Rt 136 is a state road and anybody should be able to use it. Where is it going to end. You want Government to keep putting restrictions on everything and keep butting into our lives? Making stupid rules for the rich people that live on a state road? That is socialism not democracy. Hell you are the type of people that would like no trucks at all aren’t you

  • 22 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    now the trucks are racing through old kings hwy
    north in darien onto flaxhill rd.

    Good Call Boys

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