Click here to see additional commentary.  

Survey Results - June 2002
There are more #s in with nearly 50 respondents since last year.  Overall, the numbers are still quite similar.  Although the averages have declined in some areas by very fractional amounts (usually less than .05), support to get the highway built remains strong!  As you can see by the below summary, some of the score have increased.  Concern  remains strong. 

Click here to see additional commentary.  

The averages have changed VERY little.  The below chart summarizes the averages to our questions from both time periods.  Support to have this road built continues to be very strong yet the needs of an overwhelming majority are being ignored.  

The questions remain tabulated below with the original summary.  We tabulated some of the questions on our website.  Below is a summary of those questions that had a score of 1-5 in rating.  As you can see, nearly all of them had a 4+ rating.  The questions are at the bottom of the page.  However, the only two responses that were significantly below a value of 4 were questions #9 and #10.  Those dealt with noise and property values.  

In addition, there are some comments on the next page - we have not identified any of those responders - we have also included those who are not "pro" route 7 as we are trying to present a balanced view on this issue.  

In addition, since Wilton has been quite vocal in their lack of support (and interestingly enough with their support), there is a separate page detailing their commentary and their average scores to our questionnaire.  Click here to see their responses.  

Questions are as indicated below:

Question #14:  Compared to a year ago, has the traffic on Route 7 increased, decreased or stayed about the same

Age of responders  As you can see from this, many of the responders are baby boomers who are working for a living and traveling a lot.  79% of the respondents are in the age brackets of 26-55.  There was a reasonably significant percentage of responders (almost 10%) over the age of 55 (which means there are quite a few computer literate people out there in all age brackets!)

Distance Commuted  Even with gas prices escalating, people continue to commute to their jobs?  Why?  High real estate prices along the gold coast, plus the homes to the north are also larger, have lower taxes, and some people like t he "rural" quality of living in the northern Fairfield County communities.  

Is it worth it?  We didn't ask that but would love to hear from you about that topic!  45% or nearly half of the respondents commute over 20 miles to work each day.  That means they are spending from 1 to 3 (possibly more, maybe less) hours per day in their automobile!  Would an improved highway reduce the commuting time?  We don't know, but would an extra hour or two a week make a difference in lifestyles?  

How many of you would use the new Route 7?  A resounding majority of 93% responded in the affirmative.  

Number of years at current address  Nearly 2/3 of the respondents (60%) have only lived at their current home for the past 10 years or less.  Nearly half of them are "newcomers" to the area.  Old-timers (those over 16 years) have been in the area for over 15 years. 

Town of Residence
Danbury, Wilton, and Norwalk comprise the majority of the respondents with 57% of the respondents.   The numbers do not add up as 5% of of the responders stated they do not commute and didn't provide a mailing address. 

Town commuted to:  This is a much more diverse group.  The towns with the highest percentages in this group include Danbury, Norwalk, Wilton, and Stamford (located at opposite ends of the commuting spectrum!)  with 13%, 23%, 13%, and 15%  respectively.  A significant concentration of the traffic heads south, a total of over 1/2 of the respondents going to lower Fairfield County or New York.