The planned installation of rumble strips on Route 527 in Vernon is drawing complaints, with the mayor expressing concerns about the possibility of added noise “around the clock.”
The project involves installing centerline rumble strips on Route 527 (West Street) from 260 feet south of Dart Road to 60 feet south of Daryl Drive, and from 110 feet south of Ridgewood Drive to Dailey Circle, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
“When cars and trucks drive on these rumble strips they make a lot of noise and neighbors are going to hear them around the clock,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said in a statement. He could not be reached for comment.
“Cars and trucks travel West Street at all hours of the day, and the noise is going to be constant. I want Vernon residents, especially those who live near West Street, to know about the plan, its potential impact, and to have the opportunity to tell DOT what they think,” he said.
According to CTDOT, rumble strips are “grooves within the double yellow centerline that produce noise and vibration when the tires of a vehicle come into contact with them. The noise and vibration alert the driver that they have departed from their lane and give the driver an opportunity to recover.”
CTDOT spokesperson Eva Zymaris noted that, between January 2022 and December 2024, the area of West Street saw 90 crashes, including several roadway-departure crashes that rumble strips may have helped prevent.
“Centerline rumble strips are a proven safety countermeasure that reduce head-on and roadway-departure crashes. The Federal Highway Administration recognizes them as an effective safety treatment, and CTDOT evaluates whether they make sense whenever a state road is being repaved,” Zymaris said.
“Next year, CTDOT will repave SR 527 (West Street) in Vernon, and this stretch qualifies for centerline rumble strips.”
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is hosting an online public information meeting about the project on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m., and Champagne wants Vernon residents to be aware of the work before it is done next year.
On the noise issue, Zymaris said the Department of Transportation now installs sinusoidal rumble strips, which she said are sometimes called “mumble sticks.” The transition to sinusoidal rumble strips began a few years ago.
Zymaris said sinusoidal rumble strips are “formed by wave patterns in the pavement rather than grooves cut into it, making them quieter than earlier designs.”
“Most of the corridor is not residentially dense, and rumble strips are not being proposed in the areas where many homes are present,” Zymaris said.
“Hundreds of miles of centerline rumble strips have been installed across Connecticut, and CTDOT has received very few noise complaints. They remain a low-cost improvement with a significant safety benefit for the traveling public.”
Depending on funding, right-of-way acquisition and permits, construction is expected to start in 2027, According to CTDOT. The estimated cost is $5,000, and the project is anticipated to be undertaken with 100% state funds.
The Oct. 27 meeting will be accessible on Zoom. A recording of the meeting will be available on the CTDOT public meeting playlist.
“The public information meeting serves as an opportunity to learn more about the proposed project and ask questions. These meetings are an important part of the process for CTDOT to receive feedback and engage with members of the community,” Zymaris said.
A person who commented on the town of Vernon post noted, “The centerline rumble strip alerts drivers that they are drifting across the double yellow lines. They are proven to save lives!
“At low speeds, (below 50mph) the noise is very minimal. Besides its not like people are going to drive on them consistently. Why does this town have so many issues making safety improvements to our roadways? It wasn’t until someone was hit at a rails to trails crossing to install the ped crossing lights.”
Following the meeting, there is a two-week public comment period until Nov, 10, where comments and questions can be submitted to [email protected], over the phone at 860-594-2020 or to Balazs Szoke at [email protected] or 860-594-2745. Residents are asked to note project No. 0171-0531 in the emails or voicemails.