Council discusses traffic trouble spots, crossing guards and scope changes to Safe Routes grant; staff proposes a traffic study

Councilors urged action on recurring crash locations along Ruger Street and asked staff to pursue a traffic study and design plan. Staff said the city proposed using budget funds to commission a traffic/engineering study to generate options (signal relocation, stop signs, roundabout) and cost estimates.

Councilors asked why existing traffic lights could not be moved; staff explained moving or relocating traffic signals is major infrastructure work involving state/utility coordination and is not a simple or low-cost fix. As a lower-cost alternative, staff suggested traffic-calming measures such as additional stop signs or other intersection controls while a full engineering analysis is completed.

Councilors also asked about crossing guards at a neighborhood school. Lieutenant Trombley and other staff said they would review the specific location and add it to the traffic-study conversation; staff noted that at times a police officer may be required to direct traffic for certain high-traffic school events.

Separately, Alicia updated the council on a DEC Safe Routes to School grant application: the originally planned scope grew in the application to 4.37 miles, but the refined work plan used for contracting was reduced because right-of-way surveys were incomplete. Staff said the contracted scope was scaled to approximately 0.37 miles and that surveys and scope adjustments remain ongoing. The DEC contract is active and staff plan to continue refining the design and scope with DEC feedback.

No new traffic-control installations were authorized in the meeting; staff said the traffic study is part of the proposed capital budget and that they will return with details when funding and design are ready.