Highway Safety Committee adopts student-backed signage upgrades at Wallace/Meadow/Beals intersection

A Bedford High School student’s investigation of a crash-prone intersection prompted the Highway Safety Committee on Jan. 27 to approve a package of low-cost signage upgrades aimed at reducing collisions. David Bergeron, a junior, told the committee his review found about 11 crashes at the Wallace, Meadow and Beals Road intersection in roughly three years and urged additional warnings and lighting to address visibility and speed problems.

Bergeron said the intersection’s sight lines, combined with a downhill approach and limited nighttime visibility, contribute to drivers missing stop conditions. "I believe a logical next step is to add an additional 'stop ahead' sign on the left-hand side of both approaches," he told the committee, and recommended reflective strips and solar-powered LED flashing stop signs fitted with visors so the lights would be directed away from nearby homes. He estimated the signage upgrades would cost about $3,520.

Public Works Director Bridal Defosis and Police Chief Dan DeWitty described prior improvements made in 2024 — moved stop bars, advanced stop signage and reflective strips — but said crashes and near misses continued. Defosis noted that crash reports suggest most incidents were westbound on Meadow Road and said an LED stop sign costs about $1,500; he also flagged a nearby resident’s concern about flashing lights and proposed fitting visors to limit glare.

Members discussed placement, solar reliability and maintenance. Defosis and others pointed to local experience installing solar-powered flashing signs on Joppa Hill and other roads; they cautioned that north-facing or shaded sites sometimes struggle to keep solar panels charged and that trimming overhanging trees or clearing brush may be required for reliable operation.

Public Works moved to adopt Bergeron’s recommendations in full — LED stop signs on Meadow and Beals, flanking 'stop ahead' signs with yellow strips and additional advanced signage to alert drivers — and a second was recorded. The motion carried on a 5-0 voice vote. The committee asked staff to proceed with procurement and installation, to consider visors on LED signs near residences, and to return with any site-specific constraints or cost updates.

Chief DeWitty and committee members thanked Bergeron for his work and encouraged him to share the findings with his teacher. The vote formalizes a set of low-cost interventions the committee said could reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes while staff pursues site adjustments and maintenance work.