State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today praised the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and Commissioner Joseph Marie for their response to several local requests that have helped to improve quality of life in the Norwalk area.
“A lot of times, we ask for things but we don’t take the time to acknowledge good work and say, ‘thank you,’” said Senator Duff. “Under Commissioner Marie’s leadership, the DOT has worked to become more responsive, and that’s evident by the work the department has undertaken in our community.”
Responding to a request, the DOT worked to clean up graffiti left on the Silvermine Avenue underpass of the Merritt Parkway in Norwalk. The DOT also took care of some deep potholes on the West Rocks Road Bridge, which is a state-owned bridge that crosses the Merritt Parkway, in response to a constituent request.
Additionally, the department responded very quickly to Senator Duff’s request that the schedule for mowing along highway on and off-ramps, which had been curtailed to save money as the state copes with a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, be revisited to ensure that tall grass not obstruct drivers’ line-of-sight and pose public safety hazards.
The DOT responded by addressing mowing needs on an overgrown Interstate 95 ramp and by issuing assurances that, while cosmetic mowing will take a backseat, mowing for safety purposes will continue.
“These are not only safety issues, they’re quality of life issues, and the DOT—from central office staff to district office and work crews—should be commended for taking them seriously,” said Senator Duff.
