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Eighth‑grader asks Traffic Commission for speed bump outside Crystal McCallough Charter School
Summary
A student-led petition asked the Traffic Commission to study and possibly install a speed bump on Newbury Street next to a charter school; DPW agreed to collect speed and volume data and staff offered to submit the commission petition on the students' behalf to waive homeowner signature requirements.
A Crystal McCallough Charter School student asked the Traffic Commission on Tuesday to help install a speed bump on Newbury Street adjacent to the school, saying drivers regularly exceed the speed limit and the building is not easily recognized as a school.
Sal McLaughlin, an eighth‑grade student, told the commission his group estimated cars travel "10 to 15 miles over the speed limit" near the school's one‑way street and asked the commission to help place a speed bump or other traffic‑calming measure. He said the students had been told the traffic commission petition requires six homeowner signatures but that a city councilor can submit the form on their behalf.
Robert Lewis, head of public works (as referenced by the student), and DPW staff responded that the department will collect volume and speed data on Newbury Street as a first step. "We'll collect volumes and speeds, and that's one of the first parts of any changes that would be made by the commission," a DPW representative said. The staff member said the department could begin data collection even before the formal petition is submitted and that any city councilor may submit the petition to waive homeowner signature requirements.
The commission encouraged the student group to work with a councilor and the school to advance the petition; staff offered to help identify the appropriate councilor and to provide required traffic data prior to a formal request.
