Request Federal Oversight... Our Work Is Not Done

Dear Petition Signers,

 

Thank you for signing our petition to request Federal oversight of the CTDOT project to rehab or replace Westport, CT’s Cribari Bridge. CTDOT acknowledged they received our petition, and it is part of the federal record. 

 

This is the first of several brief planned email updates you will receive on aspects of our work with the Cribari Bridge Project. I ask that you use each one as an opportunity to offer comments for the public record.  We have until April 17, and the Federal engagement we have sought will result in recognition and a favorable outcome. 

Now we need your ongoing engagement in this battle to save our Bridge and Saugatuck from Semi-trucks.  We must apply collective pressure to ensure height restrictions are designed into an adaptive rehabilitation of our historic Cribari Bridge.  

We urge you to click the links below to send a form email with this request to the Governor, DOT and Town Officials.

The CTDOT meeting last Thursday night had an extraordinary turnout at Town Hall – thanks to many of you. The room was full, the message clear, and our community showed up with purpose and conviction. Now that our voices have been heard, we need emails filling the inboxes of state, town, and DOT officials. 

But we are not done.

Between now and April 17, decisions will continue to take shape. This is when sustained pressure matters most. If momentum fades, our goal may slip away. We cannot allow that to happen.

We must stay focused on one priority:
A solution that includes a permanent height restriction to prevent semi-trucks from entering Saugatuck.

🚨 THREE URGENT ACTIONS TO TAKE NOW

1 - In order to be effectively heard, you MUST comment on the CTDOT portal. Use this link: 

https://tinyurl.com/CTDOTPortal 

This is critical because comments are counted and become part of the public record. Numbers will determine our outcome.

You may comment multiple times because the state requires a comment for each issue you have with the project - and this helps our numbers. (A sample comment to use as is or personalize is at the bottom of this email)

 

2- Email the Gov Lamont, DOT and Town officials. Click one of the links below for an updated form email: 

 

https://tinyurl.com/3-21-email-ios (for iphones and mac)

https://tinyurl.com/3-21-email-outlook (for Outlook desktop

 

3- If you want to stay informed on this issue, join our email list at the link below. (Westport Alliance for Saugatuck has volunteered to maintain this list and execute our on-going campaign)  

https://sites.google.com/view/westportallianceforsaugatuck/get-updates

 So keep the pressure on. 

Continue sending emails
Encourage neighbors and friends to participate
Share the link and message widely
Our petition opened the door. Now we must push through it. 

Save Westport Now, the Greens Farms Association, Westport Preservation, the Alliance for Saugatuck and several RTM members from districts 1, 4, 5, and 9 have rallied and echo our message.  

This community has shown what unity can accomplish. If we stay aligned and focused, we can make this happen!

Thank you for your engagement 

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Sample Comment for DOT Portal

I support a solution for the Cribari Bridge that includes a permanent height restriction to prevent semi-trucks from using the bridge and surrounding roads. This is essential for public safety and community protection, including:

1) Protecting pedestrians, children, cyclists, and motorists

This corridor is a heavily used local route, including school bus stops and active pedestrian crossings. Semi-trucks create dangerous blind spots and turning limitations that put young children waiting for or boarding school buses, cyclists, and everyday motorists at risk.

2) Ensuring emergency vehicle access is not delayed

Allowing tractor-trailers on these roads would increase congestion and create obstructions that could delay police, fire, and ambulance response times through Saugatuck.

3) Preventing increased air pollution

Routing heavy truck traffic through this area would significantly increase diesel particulate emissions, negatively impacting air quality and public health in a dense residential community.

A permanent physical height restriction is the only reliable way to ensure navigation systems do not route semi-trucks through Saugatuck.

Please ensure the final design reflects this requirement.

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