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| By Katelyn Gendron Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD Last week, the Town Council's Traffic and Safety Subcommittee met to thoroughly examine concerns about pedestrian safety along Piper Road specifically concerns about West Springfield High School students crossing Piper Road at the heavily traveled Mount Pleasant Avenue intersection. Drawing on a study conducted by Purcell Associates in June 2007, committee members huddled over an enlarged, detailed map of the area to scrutinize all recommended improvements in an effort to increase pedestrian safety. Committee President and Town Councilor Paul Boudo explained that concerns have been raised about speeding cars, insufficient signage and increasing traffic inhibiting student and pedestrian safety. According to the study, Purcell Associates observed excessive speeds of 40 and 50 mph well over the 20 mph posted speed limit within the school zone. The study was conducted along Piper Road, between Mount Pleasant Avenue and Duke Street. The consulting firm recommended various improvements to the area at a projected cost of $100,000. However, the committee, consisting of Town Councilors Angus Rushlow, John Sweeney, Robert Mancini and Paul Boudo, Police Sgt. Daniel Spaulding and James Lyons of the Department of Public Works voted unanimously to support an alternative recommendation at a cost of $50,000. "We must consider the economics that exist here," Sweeney said. "Alternative number two [of the three proposed by Purcell Associates] allows for flexibility and improvements." Alternative one calls for the re-striping of the crosswalk, re-grading of a corner of the intersection, the relocation of an existing chain link fence, the installation of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant pedestrian crosswalk and ramp and the employment of a crossing guard or police officer at the crosswalk. Boudo noted that a police officer is currently assigned to help conduct traffic and help pedestrians cross the street prior to the beginning of the school day. The cost of alternative one is $75,000. Purcell Associates encouraged town officials to employ a volunteer crossing guard in order to exempt costs for a salaried crossing guard or police officer. Alternative number two calls for the installation of an ADA compliant pedestrian crosswalk and ramp, multiple signs such as pedestrian crosswalk, yield and school zone signs. Yield pavement markings were also recommended as well as a flashing school pedestrian crosswalk sign. The study noted that this alternative complies with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines. The cost of alternative two is $50,000. Alternative number three expands upon alternative two and also calls for a 1,300-foot sidewalk creating a "pedestrian refuge area along the Mount Pleasant Avenue corridor." Sweeney explained that he supports alternative number two because it leaves room for future improvement specifically the installation of the sidewalk when funding becomes available. Lyons noted that the cost of paving materials is "directly related to fuel costs," therefore making the installation of the 1,300-foot sidewalk very expensive at this time. "We'll have a harder time selling a $100,000 project [to the Town Council] versus a $50,000 project," Sweeney said. Boudo and Rushlow agreed that the current crosswalk is ineffective in providing students with a safe means of pedestrian travel and must be modified. "I want to ensure that the students are safe," Rushlow said. Prior to their adjournment, the committee began to review a Piper Road Speed Zone Study only the second of six items under the agenda's Old Business. The study, conducted by Fuss & O'Neill in December 2007, reviewed speeding patterns along Piper Road, between Bernie Avenue and Amostown Road. The study recommended a 40 mph speed limit north of Morgan Road and 35 mph south of the road. The committee will continue their review of the study and its recommendations at their next meeting on May 8. |