Ridgefield Answer Book
Ridgefield Answer Book: Transportation

Sep 19, 2007

How many cars and trucks are registered here?
There are more than 21,000 motor vehicles registered in town.

How many miles of roads are there in town?
Ridgefield has 190 miles of town-owned roads. State highways such as Routes 7 and 35 add another 30 miles.

Who maintains and plows the roads in town?
The town Highway and Public Services Department, 60 South Street, (431-2748), under the direction of Highway Superintendent Pete Hill, maintains all the town roads. State roads are maintained by the Connecticut Highway Department (call the police, 438-6531, or the state highway department (797-4157) to report problems with state roads). State roads include Route 35, Route 33, Route 7.

To whom do I complain about a pothole?
Notify either the police department (438-6531) or the highway department (431-2748) about potholes or other road problems. For potholes or other complaints about a state road, call the state highway department in Danbury at 797-4157.

Whom do I call to replace or fix a street sign?
Call the highway department at 431-2748.

What are the typical speed limits in town?
All town roads are 25 miles per hour, and state roads vary up to 45 miles per hour.

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 55 miles per hour range from $123 for going one to nine mph over the posted limit to $211 for 23 mph and over the posted limit. Fines are higher for construction, utility, and school zones. Traveling unreasonably fast pertains to cars going under 56 mph. The fines in this bracket range from $103 for one to nine mph over the posted limit to $191 for 23 or more mph 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 hour 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 the stretch of Main Street in front of Ridgefield Hardware two lanes of traffic or three?
Route 35 is a two-lane road through the center of town. The portion in front of Ridgefield Hardware, where the southbound lane widens, is for vehicles entering and leaving the angled parking spaces, and not for through traffic.

What are the rights of a pedestrian?
There are designated crosswalks for pedestrians. If there is no traffic light regulating the walk, then cars must stop for pedestrians in the walkway. If the walkway is regulated with a Walk/Don’t Walk light, pedestrians must wait for the Walk sign. Pedestrians have the right of way, but jaywalking is illegal.

How can I find out about a traffic jam on the highway?
The Department of Transportation offers an electronic rail and highway traffic incident notification system via e-mail. It is free and available 24/7. To sign up, go online to ct.gov/dot and click on “Register for E-Alerts.”

Is there free municipal parking?
All parking is free within the regulations posted by spaces.

What hours are the municipal parking regulations enforced?
Parking regulations in the municipal lots are enforced from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are two-hour and three-hour parking spaces. The municipal lot on Governor Street, next to the Boys & Girls Club, provides all-day (but not overnight) parking.

Is there overnight parking?
No, not in any lot nor on any street in town after midnight. During a snowstorm, the street ban is extended to daylight hours.

What is the fine for illegal parking?
The first parking ticket is free; thereafter, the fine is $15 fine for exceeding parking time limits. Drivers are allowed one free pass per fiscal year. There are higher fees for more serious offenses. A late fee is added if the fine is not paid within 15 days.

Can I get a special permit to park in town?
Forty permits are sold through lottery every June and December, allowing all-day parking in certain limited-time lots in the village. For application details, call the parking authority at 431-2765. Thirty permits are for the Bailey Avenue municipal lot, five for CVS and five in the Balducci’s lot. The fee is $60 for six months.

Where can I get a handicapped permit to park?
A special parking permit application (form B-225) can be picked up at any DMV office. It can also be mailed to you by calling 800-842-8222 or by request online at dmvct.state.ct.us/B225.htm.

Where are the closest motor vehicle department offices and when are they open?
The nearest are in Danbury at 2 Lee Mac Avenue and Norwalk, 540 Main Avenue. Both are open 8 to 4:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 8 to 7 on Thursday, and 8 to 12:30 on Saturday. For information, call 800-842-8222 or visit dmvct.org.

Do I have to get my car inspected regularly?
A safety inspection is not 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 granter a waiver, DMV will not renew your registration. For information and testing stations, call 1-888-828-8399 or visit online at ctemissions.com.
In Ridgefield, motorists can get their emissions test done at Limestone Service Station (438-8028), 399 Danbury Road, or Copps Hill Shell (438-2433), 130 Danbury Road.

How soon after I move into the state do I need to get a Connecticut driver’s license?
A new state license is needed within 30 days. If you have a valid license from another state, you do not need to take a road test. You must apply for a Connecticut license at a full-service DMV office.
You must re-register your car within 60 days. This requires visiting a full-service DMV branch for VIN verification. Call 800-842-8222 for details.

May I renew my car registration online?
Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicles recently began allowing some vehicle owners to renew their registrations on the Internet. Vehicle owners may also renew through the mail or by visiting a DMV branch office.

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. For driver’s ed information, call 800-732-8090.
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. 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.

What is the law regarding driving and cell phone use?
A state law 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.

Who must wear seat belts?
Drivers and front-seat passengers, and all rear-seat passengers 6 to 16 years old, must wear seat belts when riding in a motor vehicle.
Car seats are required for children younger than 6 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.

Is there anywhere in town to rent a car?
You may do so at B&K Car Rentals, 92 Danbury Road. Call 438-0485.

Where can I get sand to put on my driveway or sidewalk in the winter?
You can get free sand from the town highway garage across from the transfer station on South Street. If you want salt in the sand, wait until about October to pick it up. Sand is also available for a fee from Cioffoletti Construction Plumbing and Heating, 438-0153.

Where can I get gasoline at 3 in the morning?
The town’s two 24-hour gas stations are Ridgefield Mobil, 31 Danbury Road, 438-6559, and Ridgefield Amoco, 115 Danbury Road, 431-0616.

Where can I get a tow late at night or Sundays?
Tow trucks are available from Pamby Towing, 143 Danbury Road, 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays and all day on weekends, 438-5782; for regular weekday hours, call 438-6525. Ridgefield Auto Body, 721 Danbury Road, (438-5147), and Marty Motors, 92 Danbury Road, (438-0485), also have 24-hour service.

Where is the nearest AAA office?
AAA Connecticut Motor Club has offices at 93 Lake Avenue in Danbury and at 20 Saugatuck Avenue in Westport. The phone number for both is 765-4222. For emergency road service, call 800-222-4357. The Web site is aaaconn.com.

Where can I get rid of an old car?
Some charity groups accept old cars as charitable contributions. These include the American Diabetes Association (888-212-9990), the J ewish Children’s Fund (800-527-3863), the American Lung Association (800-LUNG-USA), the Boys and Girls Clubs of Connecticut (800-246-0493) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (203-386-0049). Some auto wreckers will pick up an old car and take it away for free. You may also call area high schools; most have an automotive repair shop and accept donations of cars to learn from and practice on. Sometimes fire departments use cars for training.

Where are local commuter lots for car pooling?
An official park and ride is at Jesse Lee on Main Street. T he First Congregational Church of Ridgefield, 103 Main Street, allows commuter parking, as does St. Mary’s Parish, 183 High Ridge (if you are facing the school building, park around to left towards the back).
Commuters may also park at the Branchville Railroad Station on Route 7.

Is there a car pooling clearing agency here?
Metropool Inc. is a not-for-profit commuter ride-sharing service for those traveling in Fairfield and Westchester counties. The agency produces a free newspaper, Commuters’ Register, which lists ride-sharing opportunities, and commuter lots throughout the state. It also provides a free matching service to commuters wishing to car pool or van pool. Call 800-FIND-RIDE or visit metropool.com.

Where are the nearest train stations?
The nearest train station is the Branchville station off Route 7, about five minutes down Branchville Road from the center of Ridgefield. It is 54 miles to Grand Central Terminal. There are machines to buy tickets. Ticket prices to New York City are: $14.25 one-way peak, $10.75 one-way off-peak, $308 monthly. There is a wheelchair ramp to the platform. The station is served by Westport Star Taxi (227-3063). Call in advance. Parking is free.
New York City commuters find the Katonah station convenient and the train ride shorter, although parking is limited. Goldens Bridge, one stop north of Katonah, is another frequently used station for Ridgefielders. Ticket machines are available. The fare to GCT from both stations is $11.50 one-way peak, $8.75 one-way off-peak, $251 monthly.
Northern Ridgefielders might use the Southeast station in Brewster, N.Y.  The fare to New York is $13.25 one-way peak, $10 one-way off-peak, $289 monthly. All ticket prices are for tickets bought before boarding the train. There is a significant monetary penalty for buying a ticket on the train if ticket machines are available at the station..
Permits for parking at Katonah, Goldens Bridge and Southeast are handled by Allright Corp., 888-682-PARK.

How can I get the latest train schedules?
Timetables are available by calling Metro-North at 800-638-7646, or by visiting mta.info. For information on Amtrak trains, call 800-872-7245 or visit amtrak.com.

Is there a commuter bus service in town?
Housatonic Area Regional Transit offers a shuttle bus service between the park and ride at Jesse Lee and the Katonah train station. For the schedule, call 748-2034 or visit hartct.org. The fare is $1.25 for adults, 90 cents for students (K-12), and 60 cents for seniors and the disabled.

Where can I get a limo?
Limo firms include Limousine Service International (431-9508), Nutmeg Livery Service (438-1381), Regal Limousine (438-0180) and Ridgefield Limousine (438-0800).

What public transportation is available?
Norwalk Transit runs a bus along Route 7 between Norwalk and Danbury. The bus runs during the morning and afternoon rush hours and will stop only when flagged down by a passenger. There is no service on weekends and certain holidays. The regular fare is $1.25, 60 cents for seniors and the disabled, free for children under 6, exact change required. For schedule times and more information, call 852-0000 or visit norwalktransit.com.
The SweetHART bus offers free door-to-door service for the elderly and handicapped, Monday through Friday from 7 to 6, and Saturday from 9 to 3. There is also a bus from 8:15 to 4:45 on Tuesdays for medical appointments only. Fares are 60 cents local, 75 cents intertown, $1.25 ADA. For reservations, which can be made one to two weeks in advance, call 748-2511, from 7 to 1 (until 5 for ADA priority trips), Monday through Friday. Outside those hours, call 744-4070.

Where is the nearest bus station?
The Danbury Bus Terminal, 48 Elm Street, Danbury (748-1353) is served by Bonanza and Greyhound. Peter Pan and Greyhound use the station at 30 Station Place (343-9999) in Stamford.

What airports are nearby?
Westchester County Airport in New York is used by Air Canada, AirTran Airways, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and USAirways. The airport code is HPN. The phone number is 914-285-4850. The Web site is westchestergov.com/airport/.
LaGuardia, serving 25 airlines, is in Queens, New York. The airport code is LGA. The phone number is 718-533-3400. The Web site is panyns.gov/aviation/lgaframe.htm.
JFK International Airport, serving scores of airlines, is also in Queens, about 90 minutes away. The airport code is JFK. The phone number there is 718-244-4444. The Web site is panyns.gov/aviation/jfkframe.htm.
Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (203-576-7498) serves the Bridgeport area. It offers charters, flight training, and private plane services, as well as helicopter service to New York (see below). The airport code is BDR.
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, about an hour and 15 minutes away. Bradley serves more than a dozen airlines. The airport code is BDL. For more information, check the Web site at bradleyairport.com.
Tweed New Haven Airport (203-466-8833/flytweed.com) serves USAirways and Pan Am’s Clipper Connection to a number of East Coast cities including Baltimore and Raleigh-Durham. The airport code is HVN.
Danbury Municipal Airport (797-4624) does not have commercial flights. It does offer charter service, aircraft rentals, flight instruction, sightseeing rides, and private plane services. The airport code is DXR. Information is available at airnav.com/airport/dxr.

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