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Council approves reversal of Dixon Street direction after residents cite safety and traffic increases
Summary
After years of resident complaints and a petition, council voted to reverse the direction of Lower Dixon Street to reduce cut‑through traffic; staff warned of parking loss and possible spillover to neighboring streets and proposed follow‑up traffic study and monitoring.
The council voted to reverse the direction of Lower Dixon Street following sustained testimony from residents who documented increased traffic volumes, sidewalk encroachments, and collisions. Resident Linda Stevenson presented a petition signed by a majority of houses on Dixon and showed photos and videos of vehicles mounting sidewalks and striking parked cars. Stevenson said traffic "has quadrupled" and cited pedestrian‑safety risks.
City Manager Kennedy and public‑safety staff described operational tradeoffs: Chief Donnelly and the manager estimated reversing Lower Dixon would require removing about 50 feet of parking on Dixon and roughly five parking spaces on Spring Street to accommodate fire apparatus turning movements. Kennedy said the city has funding for a broader traffic study but acknowledged urgency from residents and described the reversal as a reasonable 'pilot' if council chose immediate action.
Councilors split on process but many cited repeated resident outreach and ITC (traffic committee) discussion. Supporters argued the residents had waited years and the street's narrow profile already forces cars onto sidewalks; opponents urged caution about displacement of traffic onto Hammond Street and recommended an ITC study. After public testimony and debate, the motion to reverse the direction carried on a voice vote.
Next steps: staff will implement the direction reversal ordinance, monitor downstream impacts (Hammond/Narragansett), and continue ITC and transportation‑master‑plan work as funding allows.
