The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2023-01-03 Infrastructure Committee Minutes1 Infrastructure Committee Minutes January 3, 2023 ATTENDEES Councilors: Gretchen Schaefer, Rick Fournier, Jonathan Sprague Clare Davitt, Joseph Leonard, Susan Hawes Staff: John Theriault and Aaron Huotari AGENDA ITEMS MDOT WIN 23573.00 Forest Avenue and State Street Demonstration Project John Theriault provided an overview of the past two infrastructure meetings that discussed the signalized intersection of State Street, Forest Avenue, and Boyd Street. Traffic counts were completed at the intersection in October of 2022 and reviewed against the traffic signal warrant criteria in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Based on the criteria within the MUTCD, the traffic volumes and pedestrian volumes at this intersection do not warrant a traffic signal at this location. John stated that the Manual recommends that if an existing traffic signal does not satisfy the signal criteria, than the traffic signal should be removed. A demonstration project was conducted at the intersection from November 21, 2022 to December 22, 2022 where the traffic signal was placed into flash operation to replicate the condition where the side streets would operate under stop sign control. John stated that he hoped the Councilors were able to visit the intersection during the demonstration period. The Councilors present indicated that they had been to the intersection during the demonstration period. John mentioned that he had been to the intersection several times during the demonstration period and most of the time the intersection operated well with minimal waiting for side road traffic. John acknowledged that there was a lot of pedestrian traffic at this intersection and that any change to the intersection operation would have to account for pedestrians. During peak afternoon periods, there were times when a queue of two to three vehicles was present however this is not unordinary at an un- signalized intersection accessing State Street. Based on the vehicle and pedestrian traffic at this intersection, the Engineering Department’s recommendation is to remove the existing traffic signal and make improvements to the intersection to enhance pedestrian safety. Councilor Davitt moved staff recommendation, Councilor Hawes seconded the motion, and all present approved the motion.