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County to flash signals for a year after traffic study; Brookfield signal removal draws public comment
Summary
Trumbull County engineers said traffic studies, including projected Amazon-related counts, did not meet signal-warrant thresholds and recommended flashing signals and a four-way stop at Brookfield Avenue; commissioners said the public comment period will run through April 1 and they will observe traffic for at least a year before final action.
Trumbull County engineers told commissioners on March 10 that a recent traffic study did not find warrant-level volumes at several intersections affected by a new Amazon site, and staff recommended interim measures — including setting signals to flash and installing a four-way stop at Brookfield Avenue and Yankee Run — while traffic is observed for at least a year.
The engineer said the study used projected traffic from the Amazon facility and that “they were still well below what the threshold for a warrant” for signalized control, so staff plans to “put those in flashing for a year, observe the traffic” and reevaluate whether permanent signal removal is warranted, according to John Hickey, Trumbull County EMA, who discussed the engineering recommendation.
The recommendation prompted strong public reaction: Hickey said he has received “over 2 dozen comments” and noted many residents oppose removing the Brookfield signal. He said the county is taking public comment — for, against or neutral — through April 1 and that staff will review comments with the consultant before deciding whether to proceed with any permanent changes.
Why it matters: commissioners must balance federally funded congestion-mitigation goals and local safety perceptions. County staff said the resurfacing/upgrade project (including 12 signalized intersections) is federally eligible and slated for construction next year; interim flashing and stop controls are intended to avoid sudden changes while the consultant evaluates real-world operations.
Costs and timing: staff said the North River Road resurfacing project — from Elm Road to State Route 46 — will be bid under an 80% federal SDBG program and is expected to proceed next year. Any permanent signal removals would not occur until 2027 at the earliest; Hickey said signals would remain in place at minimum for a one-year observation period and could be restored if conditions change.
The commissioners did not take a binding vote on permanent changes at the workshop; Hickey said staff will compile public comments, discuss them with the consultant and report back to the board.
