Greenwich Answer Book
Transportation
May 29, 2007

How many miles of roads are there in town and who maintains them?
The Department of Public Works Highway Division, under the direction of Superintendent Joseph Roberto, is responsible for the repair and maintenance of 265 miles of public highways, as well as all bridges, sidewalks, and storm drains. The division is also responsible for street cleaning and snow plowing, as well as putting up street name signs and supervising street lighting. The department’s office hours are from 8 to 4. The department is on the second floor of Town Hall and may be reached by calling 622-7766.
State roads are maintained by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. For a problem with a state road, call 203-389-3020.

May I request a traffic light or traffic sign for my neighborhood?
Residents who feel their neighborhood would be improved with a traffic light, traffic sign such as a stop sign, speed limit sign, speed bump, or crosswalk lines may make such a request in writing to the town’s Traffic Engineering Division. Include your name, address, daytime phone number, and a detailed description of your request to: Garo B. Garabedian, Traffic Engineer, 101 Field Point Road, Greenwich, CT 06830.

What are the typical speed limits in town?
Most roads have limits of 25 m.p.h., 35 m.p.h., or 45 m.p.h.

What’s the fine for speeding here?
All fines for motor vehicle infractions and violations are set by the state and published in a booklet available in most public libraries, police departments, and DMV offices. It is also available online at jud.state.ct.us/faq/traffic.html.
Speeding tickets for cars going over 56 miles per hour range from $123 for going one to nine mph over the posted limit to $211 for 23 m.p.h. and over the posted limit. Fines are higher for construction, utility, and school zones. Traveling unreasonably fast pertains to cars going under 56 m.p.h. The fines in this bracket range from $103 for one to nine m.p.h. over the posted limit to $191 for 23 or more m.p.h. over the limit, again with greater penalties for construction, utility and school zones.

What are the penalties for DUI?
A person is considered under the influence of alcohol when their blood alcohol level is .08. The threshold is .02 for a person under 21.
State penalties for a first offense include a $500 to $1,000 fine and (1) not more than six months in jail (48 hours mandatory) and a one-year license suspension or (2) probation, 100 hours community service, and a one-year license suspension.
A second offense within 10 years will get you a fine of $1,000 to $4,000, and not more than two years in jail (120 days mandatory), probation (required 100 hours community service) and three years license suspension.
A third offense within 10 years will land you in jail for at least one year and result in the permanent revocation of your license.

Is there free municipal parking?
No. There is metered parking in lots on Lafayette Place, Mason Street, Benedict Place (and Lewis Street), East Elm Street, Greenwich Avenue, Arch Street, Field Point Road (next to Town Hall), and Steamboat Road (across from the Bruce Museum). There are indoor parking garages (with hourly, daily, and monthly rates) at the intersection of Greenwich Avenue and East Putnam Avenue, and Greenwich Avenue between Lewis and West Elm Streets.
The fine for overtime parking is $20, and the meter feeding violation is $55, with a stipulation if the fine is paid by the end of business the following day it will be reduced by $5.

Where can I get a town or rail station parking permit?
Parking permits are available for the West End Avenue municipal parking lot in Old Greenwich at a cost of $165 per year.
Railroad station parking permits are issued annually on Oct. 1 by the Department of Parking Services. Permits cost $242 for stations in Old Greenwich, Riverside, Cos Cob, and central Greenwich on Railroad Avenue. A limited number of parking spaces at the central Greenwich railroad station Greenwich Plaza garage are available at a cost of $423. These permits are subject to a reservation system and waiting list. Call 622-7730 for details.

What is the process for paying a parking ticket?
All valid parking tickets must be paid on time or they will be subject to doubling. You may pay at the parking office or online at greenwichct.org. If you believe you have been issued a ticket in error, you may request a parking violations hearing. You may make the request online at greenwichct.org/parking. You may also call 203-618-3060.

Where are the closest DMV offices?
The nearest full-service motor vehicle department office is in Norwalk at 540 Main Avenue. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
A satellite office at the Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, is open 8 to 4:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Limited services include license and registration renewals, replacement of lost plates, and handicapped parking permits. For more information, call 800-842-8222 or visit dmvct.org.

Where can I get a handicapped permit to park?
You may apply for a permit or disability plates at the Department of Motor Vehicles on Main Avenue in Norwalk, or the satellite office at 888 Washington Boulevard in Stamford. Applicants must provide proof of disability with form B-225.

How soon after I move into the state do I need a Connecticut driver’s license?
A new state license is required within 30 days. You do not need to pass a Connecticut driver’s test if you already possess a valid driver’s license from another state.
You must register your car within 60 days. This requires visiting a full-service DMV branch for VIN verification. Call 800-842-8222 for details.

At what age may a person begin driving?
A student must be 16 years old to take driving lessons. For those under 18 who do not attend a state-licensed driving school or driver’s education program, a Home Training Certificate must be issued at least one month before the driver’s exam. There is a mandatory five-hour program covering safe driving practices. Call 800-842-8222 for more information. A 16- or 17-year-old driving without a learner’s permit is subject to a $158 fine.
Sixteen- and 17-year-old drivers are subject to graduated licensing. For the first three months after receiving a license, the driver may not have more than one passenger, who must be a parent, legal guardian, or driving instructor. The passenger must be at least 20 years old with a license at least four years old. Between three and six months after getting a license, the driver may only have as passengers those mentioned above or members of the immediate family. The teen may always drive alone. Violating this restriction can net you a $103 fine.
For information, visit ct.gov/dmv.

Are there any other restrictions on teen drivers?
Yes. A state law prohibits teens under the age of 18 from driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

Who must wear seat belts?
Drivers and front-seat passengers, and all rear-seat passengers 4 to 16 years old, must wear seat belts when riding in a motor vehicle.
Child safety seats are required for children younger than six or less than 60 pounds. Children must travel in rear-facing car seats until they are a year old and weigh at least 20 pounds.

May I drive and talk on my cell phone?
Connecticut bans the use of hand-held cell phones by adult drivers. It bans all cell phone use by teen drivers — 16 and 17 years old — except to call 911 or other emergency numbers.

Do I have to get my car inspected regularly?
A safety inspection is no longer required for passenger vehicles. Any vehicle from out of state must have an emissions test and VIN verification before being registered.

Is there an emissions testing program?
Yes. You will be notified by mail of your test days. Vehicles must be tested every other year. New vehicles less than four years old or more than 25 years old are exempt. If you do not have your vehicle tested, it does not pass, or has not been granted a waiver, DMV will not renew your registration. For information and testing stations, call 1-888-828-8399 or visit online at ctemissions.com.
The nearest testing stations are: Greenwich Shell, 83 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich (661-8871), New England Service Group, 1429 East Putnam Avenue, Old Greenwich (698-9531), Soundview North Service Center, 35 Arcadia Road, Old Greenwich (637-2033).

Where can I get gasoline at 3 a.m.?
Shell of Greenwich (622-7302) 83 East Putnam Avenue, is open 24 hours and offers emergency service.
The Mobil Station on the Merritt Parkway (531-5092) near the NY state line is open 24 hours.
Greenwich Mobil, 142 Railroad Avenue, (422-0188) is open until midnight.

Where is the nearest AAA office?
AAA Connecticut Motor Club has an office at 20 Saugatuck Avenue in Westport (226-0681) and another at 623 Newfield Avenue in Stamford (765-4222).

Is there a car pooling agency around here?
Metropool Inc. in Stamford provides commuter ride-sharing programs to corporations and individuals, as well as van-pooling. There is also a free matching service to commuters wishing to car pool. For details, call 1-800-346-3743 or visit its Web site at metropool.com.

Where can I get rid of an old car?
A number of charities and organizations, including MADD (386-0049), the American Lung Association (800-LUNG-USA), American Diabetes Association (1-888-212-9900), Big Brothers/Big Sisters (1-800-859-6526), and the Boys and Girls Clubs in Connecticut (1-800-246-0493) will take unwanted vehicles. The car owner can take a tax deduction for the donation, but the laws have changed. Check with the IRS at irs.gov.
Another possibility, depending on the quality of the vehicle, is to call the technology education (industrial arts) department at Henry Abbott Regional  Vocational and Technical School (797-4446) in Danbury.
Sometimes area fire departments use cars for training.

What are the rights of pedestrians?
If a crosswalk has a crossing signal, pedestrians must wait for the “walk” light; if a crosswalk has no signal, pedestrians may carefully cross and cars are supposed to stop for them. In areas without crosswalks, crossing pedestrians have the right of way; in areas with crosswalks, you can get a jaywalking ticket for not using the walks.

Where are the nearest train stations?
The Old Greenwich station is at 1 Sound Beach Avenue, between Webb Avenue and Arcadia Road. It is 31.2 miles to Grand Central Terminal. There are ramps to both platforms. Two ticket machines are on the westbound platform.
The Riverside station is at 1 Riverside Avenue, 30.2 miles to Grand Central Terminal. There are ramps to the platforms. Two ticket machines are on the westbound platform.
The Cos Cob station is at 1 Cos Cob Avenue, 29.6 miles to Grand Central Terminal. There are ramps to both platforms. Two ticket machines are on the westbound platform.
The Greenwich station is at 1 Railroad Avenue between Arch Street and Greenwich Avenue. It is 28.1 miles to Grand Central Terminal. There is a ramp to the New Haven-bound platform; an elevator to the New York-bound platform available only when station building is open. There are three ticket machines. The ticket office is open mornings and afternoons weekdays, with limited hours on weekends and holidays.
Al the stations are on Metro-North’s New Haven line. The fare from each of the stations (with tickets bought at the station) to Grand Central Terminal is: one-way peak, $10.75; one-way off-peak, $8; monthly $237. Fares are considerably higher when bought on board the train. Check mta.info for more information.

How can I get the latest train schedule?
You can pick up a timetable in Grand Central Terminal, at a train station office, or find schedule information online at mta.info.
For Amtrak service, visit amtrak.com.

Is there a taxi service?
For Greenwich Taxi, call 869-6000.

What bus service is available here?
Norwalk Transit offers a Commuter Shuttle bus service from the Greenwich train station to the central business district (Central Loop) and West Putnam Avenue (West Loop). Both shuttles meet morning and afternoon peak-hour Metro-North trains Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. For information, call 1-800-982-8420.
Easy Access is a curb-to-curb transportation service for the disabled (ADA-certified) unable to use public bus service. It is available for pick-up three-quarters of a mile on either side of the Post Road in Greenwich and for travel within Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, and Norwalk. For information, call 203-299-5180 (voice) or 203-299-5183 (TDD).
Connecticut Transit offers service between Old Greenwich and downtown Stamford on its Number 12 route. There is also service from downtown Stamford to White Plains with a stop at the Greenwich railroad station (I-Bus route). For details, check online at cttransit.com.

What airports are nearby?
Westchester County Airport in New York is used by American, Northwest, United and U.S. Air. The phone number is 914-285-4850.
LaGuardia, serving 22 airlines, is in Queens, New York. The phone number is 718-533-3400. The Web site is panyn.gov/aviation/lgaframe.htm.
Kennedy International Airport, a major international airport serving scores of airlines, is also in Queens. The phone number there is 718-244-4444. The Web site is panyn.gov/aviation/jfkframe.htm.
Sikorsky Memorial Airport (203-576-7498) is in Stratford.
Bradley International Airport (860-292-2000/888-624-1533) is New England’s second-largest airport after Logan in Boston. It is in Windsor Locks, 12 miles north of Hartford. Bradley serves 15 airlines including America West, American, Continental, Delta, Delta Express, Midwest Express, Northwest, Southwest, United, and U.S. Airways. For more information, check the Web site at bradleyairport.com.

Is there helicopter service to New York City?
Yes, US Helicopter Corporation offers helicopter service from Sikorsky Airport to JFK International Airport and the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. For schedule and ticket information, visit flyush.com.

© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers