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Select Board launches two-month Pleasant Street one-way pilot to favor pedestrians and bicyclists
Summary
The Select Board approved a two-month pilot to make the southbound lane of Pleasant Street (between William Street and Atlantic Avenue) pedestrian- and bicycle-only while reopening the northbound lane to vehicle traffic starting Feb. 7; the pilot will include signage, access to driveways and data collection for an April report.
The Select Board on Feb. 5 approved a two-month pilot to make the southbound lane of Pleasant Street between William Street and Atlantic Avenue (Five Corners) pedestrian- and bicycle-only while reopening the northbound lane to vehicle traffic.
The pilot — recommended by the Nantucket Historical Commission, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and other local advisory groups — is scheduled to begin as early as Friday, Feb. 7, when the Department of Public Works will place signage and barricades to designate the southbound lane for nonmotorized use and reopen the northbound lane for vehicles. Access to all driveways and intersecting streets will be maintained during the pilot.
Town transportation staff told the board the pilot will run for about two months. During that time the town will collect public comment through the town’s ZenCity portal and gather traffic counts that include vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle volumes. Staff will analyze the data and present findings to the Select Board in early April.
If staff conclude the pilot shows “sufficient positive responses from those who walk or bike in the area, minimal anticipated disruption to traffic flow and general acceptance by the community,” they said they will recommend extending the pilot and public outreach to a date to be determined.
The transportation planner framed the pilot as an evaluation of “the community’s acceptance of a traffic flow change that more safely accommodates pedestrian and bicyclists while also minimizing property impacts to abutting property owners.” The planner emphasized that the period is intended to measure community response and impacts, not to enact final policy immediately.
The board did not announce any immediate permanent changes. The Select Board asked staff to return with data and community feedback after the monitoring period so members can consider a longer-term strategy for the corridor.
