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Uxbridge resident warns of 'blind corner' at Hazel Street; DPW to inspect trees and sight lines
Summary
A resident told the Public Safety Committee that the driveway at Hazel Street and Cross Road is a 'blind corner' and 'very dangerous.' DPW staff reported sight‑distance shortfalls and committed to field checks and trimming/marking options; longer-term reconfiguration would require private property clearance or contractor work.
A homeowner at 38 Crossroad told the Town of Uxbridge Public Safety Committee that the driveway where Hazel Street meets Cross Road is a "blind corner" and "very dangerous" for drivers trying to exit onto Hazel Street. The homeowner said parked cars and a cluster of trees near the pavement edge make it hard to see oncoming vehicles.
DPW staff and the town's traffic engineer said they reviewed plan views and estimated the town right-of-way at roughly 10 feet from the pavement edge. The engineer told the committee that, for a 30 mph design, "your stopping sight distance per the manual would be 200 feet," and that the current site provides roughly 160 feet of clear sight distance in the best case. The engineer said achieving the recommended 200 feet would likely require clearing well into private property.
Committee members discussed short-term, low-cost options including trimming trees at the right-of-way edge, improving pavement delineation (edge or fog lines), and targeted pavement markings to redirect motorists. Staff said they will check property ownership of the trees and schedule field crews to assess trimming or clearing that falls within town property rights; if private property must be altered, longer-term reconfiguration or ROW acquisition would be necessary.
The resident urged enforcement of parking near the driveway and suggested engaging the homeowner who regularly parks on the street to seek voluntary on-site parking solutions. DPW staff said they will contact the resident, verify ownership along the parcel edge, and return with a recommended scope of work and timeline. No formal vote was taken; staff committed to follow up with the resident and to report back.
The matter remains in the investigation stage pending confirmation of tree ownership, a field measurement, and scheduling of any tree work or pavement treatments.
