Traffic task force

The Transportation, Circulation and Parking Task Force, meeting for the second time yesterday, reviewed a preliminary plan to slow the pace of traffic and enhance the movement of pedestrians on Beacon Street West.

The plan calls for reducing Beacon Street West from three lanes to two by allowing parking on right side of the roadway for much of its length. Leaving Veterans' Square, the right lane would be designated as a turning lane providing access to the Streetcar Place building. Water Street would be choked off where it joins Beacon Street West to form a T junction, compelling drivers to come to a complete stop before joining the flow of traffic. A pedestrian crosswalk would be installed just below the Water Street intersection.

Frank Tilton, former Director of Public Works, described the plan as an "interim report," stressing that the sub-committee was still considering the measures. Initially the Task Force envisioned a placing a traffic island in Beacon Street West to slow traffic, but the sub-committee concluded an island would likely pose a hazard without adding to the safety of pedestrians crossing the street.

"Speed is purely a function of the width of the road," said Bob Sawyer, adding that measures to slow traffic on Beacon Street West might also divert traffic to New Salem Street. Police Chief Tom Oetinger said if a significant number of vehicles used New Salem Street to avoid congestion on Beacon Street West, they could create a bottleneck at the intersection of Fair and Court Street — in font on the new police station. "It's like pressing on one end of a balloon," he said.

The Task Force is focusing much of its effort on connecting the residential and commercial development planned for the Allen-Rogers property to downtown. To some extent its work will be preliminary and tentative until plans for the Allen-Rogers site mature.

The Task Force also agreed to proceed with a proposal to designate twelve parking spaces on Beacon Street East, again with the intention of slowing and calming traffic, especially near the heavily traveled pedestrian crossing at the Belknap Mill. Dawn Emerson, Director of Planning, expects to present the proposal to the City Council for its consideration at its next meeting on October 13.

The Task Force meets every other Thursday in the City Council chambers at City hall at 3 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for October 16.