NORTHAMPTON — Work is underway to address the concerns of students and parents who worry about traffic hazards near Northampton High School, but even though there is strong community will to solve the problem, it could take many months before major solutions are in place.
The Transportation and Parking Commission is scheduled to meet virtually on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 4 p.m. The meeting agenda features discussion of three citizen requests for traffic calming on Burts Pit Road, North Maple Street and Hinckley Street, as well as an “update” on traffic safety near Northampton High School.
The city is expecting to conduct a traffic study near the high school at 380 Elm St. amid a slew of parent and citizen complaints about hazards in the area.
“We are still working through the details of the study with our engineering firm but expect a formal kickoff to their work soon,” Public Works Director Donna LaScaleia said on Sunday. She told the School Committee on Feb. 10 that the study, which is just one part of a developing strategy for long-term mitigation, should be completed by the end of the academic year.
Police Chief Jody Kasper issued an emergency order that bans parking near the school after the death of Charlie Braun, 69, who was hit by a car while riding his bike near the intersection of Woodlawn Avenue and Elm Street on Oct. 6. A crossing guard suffered unspecified injuries at the same intersection on Jan. 26 when a passing pickup truck hit his hand and the sign he was holding.
Braun’s death resulted in charges against the driver, Haley Kelly-Sherette of Williamsburg. No charges were filed against the driver who struck the crossing guard.
“Donna and Jody really take a pretty fact-based approach. They gather a lot of information and really proceed based on that,” Adam Novitt, a member of the Transportation and Parking Commission, said. “When something like this happens, before you can move forward with any specific recommendation, there’s a lot to study.”
Novitt said that Elm Street is a state road, Route 9, and that affects the kind of changes the city can make on its own.
“Without somehow significantly changing the infrastructure there, there’s not easy or pat solutions,” Novitt said. “There’s a strong will, and there’s a recognition that we have a problem there. … When you’re trying to do the right thing, sometimes it takes time.”
A citizen’s traffic calming request asks the commission to make changes that would slow down drivers on Burts Pit Road in Florence, where the request states that speed and accidents have become problems since repaving was completed in spring 2019.
“Without a radar speedometer, speed verification cannot be determined. However, I would guess that certain cars reach in excess of 65-70 MPH, maybe faster,” the request reads. “I would request that (a) traffic calming assessment be conducted ASAP — as the warmer weather seems to encourage some to travel (at) an increased speed,” raising the likelihood of a fatal crash.
The request also mentions an oversized radius when turning on to Woods Road, encouraging high-speed turns, and asks for speed humps and a flashing speed indicator sign in the area.
Two other traffic calming requests also address problems in Florence. One describes traffic on North Maple Street as “crazy fast” at “all” times, creating hazards for pedestrians and raising concern of a crash at the bike path crossing. The final request covers Hinckley Street from Riverside Drive to Nonotuck Street, another stretch where road repairs have allegedly encouraged faster driving.
“There are many pedestrians walking their dogs, babies, cyclists, cats, wild life (bears, deer, skunks),” the request reads. “Traffic in Baystate Village is becoming busier with the housing construction, as well.”
To attend the virtual meeting, visit https://bit.ly/3p16e5d. Use meeting ID 917 9478 3341 and passcode 562315. To join by phone, call (617) 675-4444 and use PIN 419 934 175 7014.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.