The Public Safety Committee voted July 16 to authorize the Department of Public Works to seek state approval and, if granted, restripe the southbound Route 125 turn lane at the Oak/Colby intersection, with up to $5,000 available from the Pedestrian Safety Improvement Program for design and work.

Committee members said the change aims primarily to give larger vehicles more turning room. The committee heard that the states bureau of traffic would not permit dashed guidelines for the side-street turning movements but would allow moving the stop bar back after review of a larger vehicle turning path.

"This could be accomplished... to allow larger vehicles additional space to turn from Oak Street to northbound 125," a DPW representative told the committee, adding that the city must submit a design vehicle turning path for the states review and that the work may cost about $5,000.

Why it matters: committee members described frequent near-confusing left-turn interactions at the intersection and said modest, low-cost changes are preferable to a more expensive reconfiguration. Councilor Kerolian said she represents residents who have repeatedly raised the issue and urged action before property damage or injury occurs.

Committee discussion and vote: members acknowledged that moving the stop line would not fully solve instances where drivers in the side-street second position make aggressive left turns, but several said additional space could help handle truck turns and reduce some conflicts. Councilor Herman moved to authorize DPW to proceed; the motion passed on a voice vote. The committee also voted to remove the item from committee pending DPWs follow-up.

What was not decided: the committee did not adopt dashed guidance markings (the state declined that treatment) and did not set a guaranteed distance to move the stop bar; DPW said the move would be modeled and could yield about 10 feet of additional space but that the exact distance depends on the approved design vehicle and state review. DPW said it would return to the committee if costs exceed $5,000 or the change does not achieve the expected distance.

Funding and authority: committee staff said funds would come from the Pedestrian Safety Improvement Program, a capital project account budgeted for lighting, signage, striping, markings, and rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs). The DPW representative clarified that the estimated $5,000 would cover design, permitting, and restriping as a total cost.

Next steps: DPW will prepare the turning-path submission for state review and, if authorized, complete the restriping. If the state approves a move larger than expected or costs exceed the estimated amount, DPW will report back to the committee.