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After neighborhood debate, board approves temporary speed humps on Colonial Avenue with six‑month monitoring
Summary
Following a resident petition and yearlong review by the traffic committee, the Town Board approved temporary speed humps on Colonial Avenue to test traffic calming for six months; opponents urged alternatives including stop signs and highlighted a separately funded $1.24M sidewalk project.
The Town Board approved installation of temporary speed humps on Colonial Avenue after residents, traffic‑committee members and staff presented conflicting views about the best way to slow traffic near a busy school corridor.
Traffic committee and neighborhood petitioners told the board the petition met the policy threshold (about 75% of residents on the block) and asked the town to deploy temporary, low‑profile speed humps for a trial period. The board authorized the town engineer to place temporary humps where the engineer deems appropriate and to monitor conditions for six months before determining whether to install permanent humps.
Supporters described repeated near misses, heavy drop‑off traffic and a change in neighborhood patterns since 2020 that increased child pedestrian exposure. "We canvassed many people on the streets, and you asked for 75% support, we got that 75% support," a street resident who worked on the petition said during the meeting.
Opponents warned that traditional speed bumps encourage drivers to steer around them where sidewalks are absent, potentially exposing children to greater risk. Hallie Hart, a lifelong Colonial Avenue resident, told the board, "Speed bumps do far more harm than good" and urged prioritizing sidewalks.
Planners said the town has secured a $1,240,000 grant to build a sidewalk on Colonial Avenue from Weaver Street to Damon Terrace; staff said right‑of‑way agreements and state processing are in progress and that construction is expected in fiscal 2025 but depends on final contract timing.
The board voted to install temporary speed humps and to re‑evaluate after the trial period; staff said the town engineer will report back with technical observations and community feedback.
What happens next: the town engineer will determine exact locations and oversee installation of temporary humps, the town will monitor effects and the board will review suitability for permanent installation after the evaluation period.
