Cranston council approves stop sign at Carway Drive despite traffic engineer's recommendation

The Cranston City Council voted May 18 to approve an ordinance adding a stop control at an intersection on Carway Drive, overriding a traffic engineer's written recommendation that opposed a multi-way stop.

Councilman Banano, a sponsor of the motion, said the action recognizes neighborhood safety concerns and urged colleagues to support residents who had requested the change. Councilman Ritz told the council he had visited the site and that residents had provided video showing drivers failing to stop: "I actually went to this location over the weekend and I did see people just going right through it and I think a stop sign will be very useful there." Several other council members said their conversations with neighbors and their own site observations supported a stop sign.

The traffic engineer's report, included with council materials, recommended denial of a multi-way stop, stating the request "is inconsistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" and suggesting alternative measures such as removing the existing two-way stop or authorizing a two-way yield or two-way stop on Callaway Drive. Council members acknowledged the engineering analysis but concluded neighborhood safety and the perception of dangerous turning movements justified the ordinance.

The council recorded the measure as passed on a roll-call vote. Clerk roll-call responses recorded affirmative votes by the council present that evening; the motion carried.

The ordinance amends the city code regarding stop intersections and will become part of Cranston's traffic controls once codified. The council indicated it would monitor outcomes and the ordinance sponsor encouraged residents to report back on whether the change improves safety.