Sidewalk construction on Main Street, a project which has been the subject of much discussion and a town referendum, is scheduled to begin Mar. 15, 2012 and take approximately seventy-five days, said Tiger Mann, New Canaan's Assistant Director of Public Works.

The plan calls for sidewalks to be installed on the west side of the street from Oak Street, where the current sidewalk ends, to Farm Road.

Mann said that Public Works is, "in the process of selecting a contractor now," and plans to bring their recommendation to the Board of Selectmen at their Dec. 6 meeting.

As Mann reported to the Town Council on Oct. 19, five bids were solicited and three were fairly close in their cost estimates.

Also on the drawing board at Public Works is a traffic island at the intersection of Park Street, Bank Street and Old Stamford Road (Rte 106). 

The project, which originated with the Police Commission's Traffic Calming Work Group, is intended to reduce driver speed at the intersection.

Mann said there have been complaints about the speed of drivers heading east on Rte 106 who then turn onto Park St. "By the time they realize where they are, (and reduce their speed), they're almost to the center of town," he said.

The state Department of Transportation will review the plans, which include Rte. 106, a state road. 

After review and assuming approval by DOT, the project would then go through the entire budget process and require approval by the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Town Council before any monies were available.  If the project makes it through the budget process, then monies would be available after July 1, Mann said.

(Editor's Note: The traffic island project, is in the proposal stage and will require approvals and appropriations from appropriate town bodies. The above story has been edited to provide clarification.)