Council advances multiple traffic‑safety requests, urges further study

Councilors raised several traffic‑safety and pedestrian‑safety items and advanced orders and referrals seeking further study and action.

Councilor Recupero introduced an order asking the Traffic & Parking Commission to install stop signs on both sides of the Central Avenue and Shawmut Street intersection due to repeated accidents; the council adopted the order under suspension and the sponsor noted the ultimate authority for traffic control warrants rests with the Traffic & Parking Commission.

Separately, Councilor Sandegett asked the city manager to direct the Department of Housing and Community Development to evaluate measures to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of Bridal/Shortliffe and Marlborough streets. Sandegett said she received police and fire data showing 31 instances of pedestrians struck within 10 feet of her front door and described sightline and vehicle‑turning issues; she urged the city to revisit reimagining plans that had removed a timed traffic signal in favor of a blinking yellow.

Earlier communications from the city manager addressed bollards at school crossings (responses indicated DPW engagement but a councilor said one bollard is insufficient after recent accidents) and the installation of a blind‑spot mirror at Highland and Essex (a councilor said the mirror is too small and limited in visibility, and requested a larger mirror).

Next steps: referred items will proceed to the Traffic & Parking Commission or relevant departments for engineering evaluation; a follow‑up report or commission determination is expected.