City considers four-way stops on Elm Street

NORWICH – The Common Council is taking action based on a recommendation from the city’s traffic commission to make things a little safer on Elm Street.

In response to a recent speed and traffic survey conducted by the Norwich Police Department, Police Chief Joseph Angelino handed up a recommendation that the city turn three busy intersections at Elm Street and Conkey Avenue, Elm and Francis Avenue, and Elm and Eaton Avenue into four-way stops.

For a number of years, speeding motorists have been a major concern for residents and other drivers at the southern most part of Elm Street as it’s in close proximity to Perry Browne Elementary and heavy traffic poses a risk for pedestrians, especially for kids walking to and from school. Although the number of accidents near those intersections hasn’t been very high in recent years, the potential for a serious incident is there. That alone is enough to take extra safety precautions, said members of the Traffic Commission.