Traffic Problems

Who To Call?

An explanatory brochure on the responsibilities of the STC and ConnDOT with respect to various traffic/maintenance issues

State and local officials, as well as members of the general public, are often unsure whom to contact regarding various traffic related issues. Common questions received by the State Traffic Commission (STC) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) include: "How do I get a traffic light installed?" "Who is responsible for slowing vehicles speeds on my street?" "How can I get that pothole fixed on the road that I take to work?"

Listed below are a series of questions and answers to help explain the relationship of the STC and the DOT, and how to deal with various traffic concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the State Traffic Commission?
2. Where is the STC located?
3. When does the STC meet?
4. How do I go about getting a speed limit changed or traffic signal installed?
5. What happens after I talk to the LTA regarding my problem?
6. Suppose I don't agree with the report prepared by Traffic Engineering?
7. How can I get a "No Thru Trucks" sign erected on my street?
8. I have read the STC brochure on Certificates of Safe Traffic Operation, which refers to large developments. Does the STC ever deny an application for such a certificate because the residents or town object to a development?
9. Whom do I contact regarding potholes, drainage problems, or other maintenance issues?
10. Can a resident contact the STC directly with a traffic problem?
11. As legal traffic authority, I am not always sure whom to contact regarding a particular problem.

1. What is the State Traffic Commission?
   
   A. Section 14-298 of the statutes establishes within the Department of Transportation a State Traffic Commission. The STC consists of the commissioners of the Connecticut Departments of Transportation, Public Safety, and Motor Vehicles. The STC promulgates regulations establishing a uniform system of traffic control signals, devices, signs and markings for public highways. The STC also adopts regulations in cooperation and agreement with local traffic authorities governing the use of state highways and roads.
   
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2. Where is the STC located?
   
   A. The office of the State Traffic Commission, which is staffed by the Executive Director of the STC and clerical and engineering personnel, is located within the Department of Transportation. It is located at 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131-7546, Tel. No. (860)594-3020, FAX No. (860)594-2377.
   
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3. When does the STC meet?
   
   A. The STC normally convenes on the third Tuesday of each month at the DOT complex in Newington. At this monthly meeting, reports prepared by the Division of Traffic Engineering of the Department of Transportation are presented for action. These reports relate to various regulatory measures including speed limits, traffic signals, and parking restrictions. Also considered are the issuance of certificates of operation which, in accordance with Section 14-311 of the Connecticut General Statutes, are required for developments generating large volumes of traffic on state highways.
   
   The STC has prepared a separate brochure regarding such developments. Copies are available by contacting the STC at (860)594-3020.
   
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4. How do I go about getting a speed limit changed or traffic signal installed?
   
   A. The first step to take is to contact the legal traffic authority (LTA) of the town involved. Each of Connecticut's towns has a designee who handles traffic related matters in that town. In larger towns, it may be a professional traffic engineer, and in some towns it may be the Chief of Police or the First Selectman. Contact your town hall to find out who it is in your town. You should discuss your request with the LTA first, since he is the one who is most familiar with the area in question and he may be aware of previous studies or any other similar complaints from residents. Also, by statute, the STC must work hand in hand with the LTA in reviewing regulatory matters.
   
   The Division of Traffic Engineering is currently preparing an informational brochure on speed limits which may be of interest to the reader.
   
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5. What happens after I talk to the LTA regarding my problem?
   
   A. If the LTA feels that the request is a legitimate one, he can forward it to the STC or, depending on the nature of the request, to the appropriate office in the DOT for review. An investigation will be conducted and, if STC action is needed, a report will be prepared by the Division of Traffic Engineering recommending approval or denial of the request, and the matter will be placed on the agenda of one of the STC's monthly meetings. If no STC action is required, a reply to the LTA will be forwarded by the investigating unit in the DOT.
   
   There are many items which are handled by other offices within DOT which do not require any action by the STC.
   
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6. Suppose I don't agree with the report prepared by Traffic Engineering?
   
   A. LTA's and members of the public are welcome to attend the STC meeting at which the report will be presented and express their viewpoints to the members of the STC. The Commission may vote to have the matter reviewed further or they may override the recommendation submitted by Traffic Engineering.
   
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7. How can I get a "No Thru Trucks" sign erected on my street?
   
   A. The STC may, in cooperation and agreement with the legal traffic authority of a town, prohibit through truck traffic on any street or highway. The Attorney General's Office has defined a through truck as one which travels from a point outside the limits of a city, town or borough through such city, town or borough without any scheduled stop in the locality in question. Thus, a "No Thru Trucks" sign may not affect the majority of trucks using a particular road in a town, if they have a local destination.
   
   Towns may preclude trucks from town roads by ordinance as long as they do not become de facto no through truck routes; that is, when the road in question passes over a town line to an adjoining town.
   
   Care should be taken in the implementation of such prohibitions in that truck traffic will be diverted to other routes which may be less satisfactory.
   
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8. I have read the STC brochure on Certificates of Safe Traffic Operation, which refers to large developments. Does the STC ever deny an application for such a certificate because the residents or town object to a development?
   
   A. No. The STC and the Division of Traffic Engineering of the DOT work closely with the legal traffic authority of a town in determining the requirements for roadway improvements in conjunction with the issuance of certificates of operation. By statute, the STC can only consider traffic safety in its review. While issues such as the impact on the environment or the quality of life in a town which may be impacted by a large development may be valid, they do not come under the STC's jurisdiction. These are decisions that must be made on a local level. If a developer's engineer can demonstrate, through accepted traffic engineering techniques, that the improvements proposed by the developer to mitigate the impact of the generated traffic are adequate, the STC will normally issue a certificate of operation.
   
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9. Whom do I contact regarding potholes, drainage problems, or other maintenance issues?
   
   A. The Department of Transportation has four district offices, located in Rocky Hill, Norwich, New Haven and Thomaston. These offices handle various maintenance and construction functions.
   
   The appropriate district maintenance office should be contacted regarding problems relating to maintenance functions on state roads (see following list).
   
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10. Can a resident contact the STC directly with a traffic problem?
    
    A. This practice is discouraged. We ask that all requests for traffic control devices begin with the designated LTA of a town. He is usually the most knowledgeable of local conditions. This procedure ensures that the LTA is aware of all local concerns, that he endorses such concerns, and it facilitates STC/DOT work efforts by enabling us to deal with a single town representative.
    
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11. As legal traffic authority, I am not always sure whom to contact regarding a particular problem.
    
    A. Below is a list of various offices and those areas which come under their purview. If you are unsure, contact the office which most closely relates to the question you have.
    
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    Whom To Contact
    
    State Traffic Commission: Telephone No. (860)594-3020
    FAX No. (860)594-2377
    
    Requests for:
    
    New traffic signals or major revisions to traffic signals on state and town roads.
    Speed limit changes on state and town roads.
    "No Turn On Red" signs.
    "No Thru Trucks" routes.
    Lane-use control; "No Parking" zones; parades (or other special events); multi-way stop
    control; flashing beacons; bus stops; and other miscellaneous regulatory items.
    Major Traffic Generators.
    Traffic controls in parking areas of 20 or more spacesadjacent to state highways.
    
    * * * * * *
    
    DOT Division of Traffic Engineering
    2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington
    
    Districts 1 & 2 (Greater Hartford & Norwich Areas)
    Tel. (860)594-2740
    
    Districts 3 & 4 (New Haven & Thomaston Areas)
    Tel. (860)594-2770
    
    *Crosswalk requests. *Minor signal revisions. *Traffic safety studies; accident problems; capacity studies. *Guide, destination, and logo sign requests. *Illumination studies.
    
    District Offices
    
    District 1 - Rocky Hill: Tel. (860)258-4501
    District 2 - Norwich: Tel. (860)823-3210
    District 3 - New Haven: Tel. (203)389-3010
    District 4 - Thomaston: Tel. (860)585-2785
    
    *Warning signs. *Drainage problems on state roads; potholes, etc.

    *Sight line problems (trees, etc.). *Encroachment permits.
    *Signs knocked down. *Other maintenance-type problems.
    
    Traffic Signal Malfunctions: Burned Out Bulbs
    
    District 1 (Rocky Hill) Elect. Unit: (860)566-3156; (860)566-3157
    District 2 (Norwich) Elect. Unit: (860)848-0008; (860)848-7608
    District 3 (New Haven) Elect. Unit: (203)878-9028; (203)878-1869
    District 4 (Thomaston) Elect. Unit: (203)879-9850; (203)879-6077