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Date: 5/31/2023
HOLYOKE — The Public Safety Committee took its May 22 meeting and dedicated it to outstanding orders related to traffic across the city and provide updates from City Engineer Kris Baker.
The 41 total items stretched across the past couple of years and earlier this year the committee decided to work with Baker to look through pending items that have been tabled or yet to be discussed. Baker came to the meeting with updates on each item as well as plans for the city to attempt to create a citywide traffic calming program, which would lay out a framework and systematic procedures for implementing traffic calming in Holyoke.
Baker took the approach of giving a citywide update and then talked about focused areas that would need more analysis done before any traffic-related project could happen. The proactive approach led to discussions about an overall plan and what was needed, as well as updates on smaller projects and what the city is doing in the meantime. It also has created a concerted effort from the city in organizing and addressing traffic issues across Holyoke as well as outstanding orders related to citizen concern or requests for traffic calming assistance.
Baker said while speed humps and raised crosswalks are popular traffic calming measures the city has already utilized, there were several low-cost options for traffic safety the city could also consider. He also noted to the public safety committee that the most significant constraint to the DPWs ability to implement traffic safety measures in the city is funding, and that because of this he would be doing his best to be upfront about all costs that come with potential traffic calming projects.
One option listed was the use of thermoplastic crosswalk markings more durable than painted and the use of thermoplastic solid white lines which give visual impression that the roadway width has been reduced which slows vehicles down.
Another option listed was corner extensions or bulb-outs, a horizontal extension of the sidewalk into the street resulting in a narrower roadway section. The slow vehicle turning speeds shorten pedestrian crossing distance and increase pedestrian visibility. The cost for a pair of bulb-outs is approximately $32,000 according to Baker.
Raised crosswalks have already been utilized in the city and were listed as an option from Baker as well. Raised crosswalks improve pedestrian safety by causing motorists speed to decrease at crossing. The cost is $30,000 to $60,000 depending on stormwater drainage.
Other options included adding more rectangular rapid flash beacons for crosswalks speed humps, additional signage and rumble strips.
Baker then moved onto a list of several problem intersections and roadways that have been brought up numerous times or are on the state’s top crash locations list. He said these areas would require detailed studies to develop effective solutions.
The first area listed by Baker was the intersection of Linden Street and West Franklin Street, a state top 200 crash listing. Another area Baker is seeking to evaluate is the corridor of Linden Street from Cabot to Mackenzie Street.
Baker also said roadways such as Whiting Farms Road and Beech Street near Linden Street and near Portland Street were areas where he wanted to run vehicle counts and collect speed data for future designs.
In the final part of his citywide overview, Baker shared DPW projects currently in design or construction, or are seeking funding for traffic calming measures. A project of noted listed in design or construction was the MassDOT Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Project for Lawrence School.
The project includes new sidewalks or shared use path, rectangular rapid flash beacons, raised crosswalks, transverse rumble strips, ADA compliant curbs, bump outs and high-visibility pavement markings along Cabot Street, Hampshire Street and Chestnut Street. This project will total approximately $1.5 million to be paid for through MassDOT funding.
Improvements on Race Street, which will be paid for from $399,000 of Cannabis Impact Fee funding, raised crosswalks for Main Street — which will be paid for with $202,000 from the Cannabis Impact Fee funding — and a safety audit on Northampton Street and Westfield Road — which will be paid for with $32,000 chapter 90 funding — were just a few of the projects noted that are already in motion from the DPW. Baker’s full memo and lists can be viewed inside the agenda packet from the meeting located on Holyoke.org.
For projects awaiting funding, Baker first noted a $1 million ARPA request made to the city is still awaiting response. The request would fund traffic calming installations that includes an assessment of current traffic conditions, evaluation of various traffic calming measures to be implemented, a prioritized list of projects, and the construction of several such high priority measures.
“I know everybody wants it [ARPA funding] but it’s a matter of where to find the money for it,” Baker noted.
Main Street reconstruction as a Transportation Improvement Program and ongoing Community Development Block Grant efforts with sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities Act ramps were additional projects mentioned by Baker that are still awaiting funding to accomplish but added these and the other projects on hold were important and were to better traffic in the city.
Ward 5 Councilor Linda Vacon thanked Baker for taking the time to come back to the committee with an overview and identified priority areas.
The committee then began going through each order with Baker still present to provide updates and notes. Many items were complied with while others were tabled with recommendations of what to do from Baker. While Baker gave recommendations, orders were still tabled until a funding source can be later identified. The meeting served as a means of organizing and laying out a course forward for Holyoke’s traffic calming measures, whether it’s for major areas of traffic concerns or orders still awaiting action.