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Residents press city for traffic calming at Beach and Salem; engineers prepare design options
Summary
Residents told the liaison committee the painted lane markings at Beach and Salem have not slowed traffic; city engineers and councilors said longer-term changes — including teeing the intersection and pedestrian improvements — are under study and could move forward with grant funding and design in coming months.
Residents from Beach Street told the City Council liaison committee that temporary pavement markings intended to calm traffic at the Beach and Salem Street intersection have not reduced speeds and may have made turning movements more hazardous.
Jack Foley and Karen Foley, both of 86 Beach Street, described the corner as a “speedway” and said drivers still “come flying around the corner” despite newly painted markings. “Since we put this back in up there and then we brought it back 15 feet, it's still a speedway,” Jack Foley said. “It’s just real busy on that corner.”
City Engineer Alex Wazicki said the lines were a short-term visual measure and agreed they cannot stop tires. “I would probably tend to agree that the lines don't stop car tires…taking additional measures to slow down the rate of traffic and vehicular speed is probably warranted in this intersection,” Wazicki said. He told the committee the city is working with design consultants and expects to unveil potential changes in the fall.
Councilors outlined several options discussed with the traffic consultant: teeing off the intersection to force slower, more deliberate turns; placing barrels or temporary devices; adding pedestrian crossings and flashing beacons; and reconfiguring the island or right-turn lanes. Officials noted tradeoffs: barrels can be struck or obstruct sidewalks and teeing the intersection changes front-yard layouts and sight lines for adjacent homes.
Councilors said the city plans to seek Complete Streets grant funding in the fall to finance design and construction, with a realistic construction window in the following spring or summer. Councilor Marissa Bruin and other members said they will hold a smaller community meeting before public rollout so nearby residents can review specific plans.
Committee members requested traffic speed counts and other metrics; Wazicki said speed counts from the police were requested and could be included in a future packet. No formal action or vote was taken; the committee agreed to continue public outreach and advance design work.
