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Board refers West Street speeding complaints to Traffic Safety Committee
Summary
Aldermen voted to send resident complaints about speeding and use of West Street Bridge as a "launch pad" to the Traffic Safety Committee for review of enforcement and physical mitigation options; staff said the stretch has been part of repaving and that engineering input will be invited.
Residents described repeated speeding and loud vehicles using West Street — including the West Street bridge — as a launch point, and the Board of Aldermen on July 7 voted to refer the issue to the city’s Traffic Safety Committee.
During public comment a resident said cars "use the bridge as a launch pad," creating safety issues for pedestrians and nearby homeowners. Aldermen discussed options including increased enforcement, mitigation measures used elsewhere in the city, engineering solutions and longer-term bridge reconfiguration. Several aldermen favored starting with Traffic Safety Committee review to bring engineers, police and DPW staff into the conversation.
Why it matters: residents said aggressive driving and noise is ongoing and affects quality of life and pedestrian safety. The board noted that some repairs to the bridge and repaving are planned but that a permanent reconfiguration would likely require grant funding and a longer timeline.
The Traffic Safety Committee was described as meeting monthly (third Friday at 9 a.m. at the police station) and the board’s representative said he would report back to the full board after the committee meets with the traffic engineer and police.
Ending: The motion to refer passed. Staff said they will coordinate Traffic Safety Committee scheduling and involve DPW engineer Ted Gillen and police leadership to discuss near-term enforcement and medium-term physical mitigation options.
