NEW HAVEN, CT — Residents and local officials in the East Rock neighborhood are pushing for immediate changes at the intersection of Willow and Nicoll streets following a five-year span that saw 28 crashes.
The area, which funnels traffic from a nearby freeway off-ramp, has become a flashpoint for pedestrian tension and driver speed concerns.
City data shows no fatalities at the intersection, but repeated close calls have driven demand for redesign.
Residents have raised concerns over vehicle speeds and frequent near-misses. The Willow-Nicoll junction is surrounded by homes, sidewalks, and schools, heightening safety concerns for pedestrians.
Alder Caroline Tanbee Smith reported that roughly 200 residents signed a petition requesting the city to pursue traffic-calming infrastructure. The campaign gained momentum last fall as part of a neighborhood-led effort to reduce collision risk.
The nonprofit Strong Towns hosted a virtual study session Wednesday focused on the intersection. The group examined traffic behavior and identified speeding vehicles from the freeway ramp as a recurring hazard. The analysis aligned with city crash records and community feedback.
Potential remedies discussed during the session included four-way stop signage, raised speed tables, and curb extensions or sidewalk bump-outs. Each proposal focused on forcing slower vehicular entry into the intersection while improving pedestrian visibility and safety.
Two additional study sessions targeting other New Haven intersections are planned. The city is expected to review the findings and consider them in future planning.
Although the crashes at Willow and Nicoll have resulted in no fatalities, the volume of incidents over a short period continues to raise alarms.
