Fairfield council debates speed control: tables, humps and trees all on the table

Fairfield councilmembers and residents on June 18 discussed multiple options to reduce speeding in town, especially on Main Street and routes near the park and bus stop. Speakers reviewed pros and cons of rumble strips, permanent speed bumps (aggressive, high profile), speed humps (removable, designed for 20 mph) and speed tables (longer raised crossings that can be used at crosswalks). Several councilmembers and staff also proposed planting street trees to narrow perceived roadway width and thus reduce speeds over time.

RL (councilmember) described firsthand observations of vehicles speeding with trailers and buses and urged action to avoid a crash around the school bus stop. He said a prior temporary speed bump had changed traffic patterns and suggested that removable speed humps or tables could be tried as a test. Staff and council discussed costs: consultants or staff estimates in the discussion indicated permanent asphalt tabletop installations could cost roughly $5,000–$7,000 per hump; a total program for both Main Street and another key route was discussed in the range of $6,000–$8,000 as an initial estimate for temporary installations. Council suggested testing a removable tabletop or speed hump in a targeted location first and evaluating results.

Residents and councilmembers suggested trees as a long‑term measure to visually narrow the road and calm traffic, but planners noted trees require coordination around underground utilities and future right‑of‑way expansions. The council asked staff to research temporary, testable tabletop options and vendor estimates and to return with recommendations and budget figures.