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State-funded Safe Streets plan targets six Foster locations; crosswalks and speed measures proposed
Summary
Consultants presented a USDOT Safe Streets for All planning grant for Foster, identifying six priority locations and proposing crosswalks, shared-use paths and speed countermeasures; adoption would make the town eligible for implementation funds.
Consultants from AECOM briefed the Foster Town Council on Feb. 13 about a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning study funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and coordinated statewide by RIPTA. Dave Derek of AECOM said the study analyzes five years of crash data and is producing a town-specific safety action plan that the council could adopt to become eligible for implementation grants.
Derek told the council there were four fatalities and 127 injury-related crashes in the five-year period under review and that 20–25% of crashes involved injuries. He said the town’s per-capita rates for fatal or serious injury crashes exceed state averages on several measures and noted clusters along Route 6, Route 101 and other locations.
Consultants said they have identified six priority locations for improvements: (1) Foster Center Road between Isaac Payne Elementary School and the Youth Athletic Center (proposed crosswalk and sidewalk/shared-use path); (2) between the school and the Foster Fire Station (crosswalk and shared-use path); (3) Route 6 (speed detection cameras and speed-feedback signs); (4) Hartford Pike and Mount Hygeia Road (speed measures and intersection alignment improvements); (5) the post office driveway (sight-distance issues and lack of sidewalks); and (6) the Foster Center Road/Plainfield Pike intersection (redesign toward a T intersection to slow traffic and improve visibility).
Evan Mormon, AECOM, outlined countermeasures under consideration—crosswalks, lighting, improved curve delineation, speed cameras and shoulder/bike facilities where appropriate—and emphasized that the plan will be tailored to Foster’s right-of-way and community preferences. Derek said AECOM will deliver a draft safety action plan in March and a final plan in April; adoption by the council would make Foster eligible to apply for federal/state implementation funds to design and build recommended projects.
Council and public discussion focused on maintenance liability for sidewalks if the state installs them, the magnitude of pedestrian crashes (local public-safety officials said pedestrian crashes have been rare historically), and whether implementation funds require local matches. AECOM representatives and RIPTA staff said that implementation funding under the program, as currently structured, does not require a local match but that decisions about construction and long-term maintenance (and which agency owns the roadway) would be part of project development and require coordination with the state (RIDOT) and participating agencies.
Chief Gina Lindell, speaking as head of public safety, urged the council to prioritize crossings between the school and athletic fields and pointed to vehicle speed and sight-distance concerns at specific locations. Councilors and residents raised visibility at the post office driveway, speeding by large trucks on Route 6, and the awkward skewed Foster Center Road/Plainfield Pike intersection.
The consultants asked for public feedback and provided contact information for suggestions and additional location requests as they finalize the plan.
