Several residents and business owners said they generally like the idea of splitting Westfield Avenue in half and installing a northbound ramp to Route 8 at exit 18.
“Me, personally, I am for it because I don’t live at the end of the road,” said Chris Hovan a resident of 120 Westfield Ave. for 11 years. “I am happy with it because it will turn the road into a dead end. But, if it is just going to be an on-ramp then I don’t like it.”
The Valley Council of Governments and the state Department of Transportation held an informational meeting Wednesday night in Ansonia City Hall on the project, which, officials said, will divide Westfield Avenue into two parts, along with adding an entrance ramp, cul-de-sac and roundabout.
Motorists would no longer be able to use Westfield as a cut-through from Division Street to Wakelee Avenue coming off Route 8 south near Emmett Avenue in Derby.
Elaine Witalis, a Westfield Avenue resident for 23 years, said she is in favor of the project.
“It depends on what they decide to do, but I would be for it,” said Witalis. “Every time I am out here working on my yard someone is asking where northbound 8 is. If they go dead end that would be really nice and cut down on traffic. I will have to make adjustments to get home, but I can deal with that.”
Westfield Avenue Route 8 North
Traffic on Westfield Avenue has been an issue for residents, who said they have had several meetings with Ansonia City officials.
Cars race down Westfield Ave to get to the Route 8 southbound ramp, which is located off Division Street.
The use of Westfield as a cut-through annoys people who live there.
Business Reaction
Roy Tidmarsh, owner of Tidmarsh Bakery at 66 Westfield Ave., said he agreed with John Zeleski, owner of Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, who said signs would need to be available near the highway to get traffic to the businesses.
Tidmarsh wondered what effect the ramp’s construction would have on local businesses.
“When are they going to block Westfield at the beginning of construction?” asked Tidmarsh. “(For the) First few months people will not know they can’t get in and out of Westfield.”
Larry Saffran, president of Stelray Plastic Products, of 50 Westfield Ave. said he stopped by the VCOG offices in Derby to review the plan. A previous plan, proposed in March 2008, looked to take some of Saffran’s land holdings along the road.
Saffran said he is now looking to put up another medical building.
