Metro Green will not clean the traffic scene
Letter to the Editor
Published: July 31, 2007
To the editor:
In "Metro Green Hopes to Clean Traffic Scene," [The Stamford Times, July 13] Zoning Board President Phyllis Kapiloff states, "We've got to do whatever it takes to get fewer automobiles on the road." Unfortunately, Metro Green will do just the opposite and further clog our already congested roads.
Contrary to the developers' claims, W&M Properties' Metro Green development will not ease traffic in Stamford, and may in fact create serious congestion problems on both I-95 and local roads. In order to assess the transportation impacts of the Metro Green project, traffic engineer Brian Ketcham recently conducted a traffic study and found that W&M's analysis is dangerously shortsighted. As a result of the developers' refusal to account for future growth in the South End or the project's reliance on I-95, there could be major gridlocking on local roads and increased traffic on I-95. Adding insult to injury, the developers have failed to propose any meaningful traffic mitigation for the roads around the project site. Traffic generated by Metro Green could have serious consequences for quality of life in Stamford.
Local 32BJ SEIU members, who work in commercial and residential buildings around Connecticut, including Stamford, are concerned about the city's growing traffic problem, and what it means for residents. Metro Green developers should put the safety and health of Stamford residents first. And Stamford residents should get involved by speaking out at future zoning board meetings.
Hector Figueroa
Local 32BJ Secretary-Treasurer