Pittsfield Traffic Commission Fields Stop Sign Requests
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Commuters may soon see several new traffic signs along their routes.
At its Thursday meeting, the Traffic Commission considered requests for several new stop signs, advancing one proposal and continuing discussion on two others.
The commission approve a four-way stop at the intersection of Merriam Street, Catherine Street, and Buchan Street, which Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi requested on behalf of residents. The traffic order will now go before the City Council.
Lampiasi explained that the petition was prompted by feedback from multiple households in the neighborhood during the height of road construction on West Street.
She is concerned that people will use this route as a bypass once the light at the intersection of Upper and Lower West Streets is installed.
"The main concern is that there are small children. There are elderly folks who walk in the area regularly, and also driving their vehicles," she said.
"They found that folks just trying to get through Merriam weren't noticing them, whether they be in their car, bicycle, or walking, just trying to get across the street."
City Engineer Tyler Shedd recognized that cars drive "really fast" through that area, and thinks a four-way stop will make it safer.
Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey, a member of the Traffic Commission, recalled walking that neighborhood with Lampiasi.
Based on speed data, at least 2,000 cars pass through during most days of the week, more than 23,500 in a week, he said.
"The amount of kids, the amount of people walking in the street, and when traffic was starting to get backed up, just kind of watching how tight some of those corners are, the sight lines, how you can't see, and just people actually living there," Kavey said.
"I support it."
The commission continued Lampiasi's request for a four-way stop at the intersection of Albro Street and Schuyler Street. They did not have a quorum to vote on the item because one member had to recuse themself. It will be taken up again on March 26.
Lampiasi said Hillcrest Academy creates a lot of traffic, and while they tell staff not to take Albro Street and enter on Columbus Avenue, she regularly gets calls about transportation vehicles and delivery trucks on the street.
Residents have reported feeling unsafe during high traffic hours while walking their dogs, playing with their kids outside, or taking a walk. The Ward 6 councilor added that there will be a "major" building project at the facility that will create additional traffic.
Shedd pointed out that Hillcrest got a grant to install a speed feedback sign on Albro Street.
Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn requested a stop sign study at the corner of Longview Terrace and Willard Street, which was also continued.
Wrinn was not at the meeting, but communicated to Kavey that he wants the city engineer to gather data on that intersection before the next Traffic Commission meeting to see if a stop sign would be appropriate.
"He wasn't asking for them to be put in, obviously, right now. He was just saying residents have come to him," Kavey relayed.
"He wants to see some more information."
The commission also approved Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham's petition for a "No Parking Here to Driveway" sign, designating a loading zone on the east side of Dartmouth Street by Angelina's Submarine Shop, just south of the intersection.
Cunningham explained that a loading truck needs more space to park, as residents park on the west side of the street, almost within 15 feet of the intersection. He said that this was requested in November, and the council passed a petition to put up a sign.
"I don't know what happened administratively, but it wasn't put up. When I got there, I heard that it wasn't put up. I'm like, ‘Let's get this put up,' because they said it was starting to affect business operations, especially with the snow," he explained.
To his understanding, the sign is up, and this was an administrative approval to catch up.
Tags: traffic signage,
