11/28/77 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 1977 A regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was convened by Chairman Pro-Tem Peter H. Mullen at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 1977, with Mr. Mullen and Mr. Brunner present and Mr. McMahon absent. James Masters of the Legal Department staff was also in attendance. MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 21 MEETING APPROVED Mr. Brunner reported that the minutes of the November 21, 1977 meeting had been reviewed and he made a motion that they be accepted as submitted. Mr. Mullen seconded the motion and it carried. REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL - McKINLEY AND MANCHESTER INTERSECTION Twenty-one residents of the McKinley -Manchester area were present to discuss the need for a traffic signal at that intersection. A letter from NEAT, Northeast Area Together, was submitted which outlined the efforts of the residents to get favorable action on this signalization. The group also submitted proposals for additional marked traffic lanes, the posting of "signal ahead" signs on McKinley, removal of the entrance house at the entrance to Park -Jefferson Apartments, additional street lighting and improved visibility of the median strip on McKinley. Judy Hover, spokesman for the group, introduced Nancy Dunfee who was dressed as a traffic signal to dramatize the request. Ms. Hover called attention to the long-standing problem of traffic and high speed on McKinley and the fact that a major shopping center is located near the intersection. This is the only outlet on McKinley from the McKinley Terrace Subdivision and there is an entrance to the Park Jefferson Apartments at this intersection. She noted that seventy residents attended a meeting last week with Traffic Engineer Ralph J. Wadzinski, Captain James Sweitzer of the Police Department Traffic Detail and Councilman Roger Parent. All three agreed with the need for a signal. She noted that traffic counts have been taken at the intersection but said they will not reflect a true count because people drive out of their way to avoid the intersection. She said residents are aware that the State Highway Department has eight warrants used to determine. the need for signals but said they should take into account the speed, the adjacent shopping center and the numerous accidents at the intersection. Councilman Parent.was present and advised the Board that he supports the residents in this request for a signal. This has been a matter of concern for a long time and he indicated he has correspondence on the matter dating back the past several years. He said the State Highway Department should take into account the two curves in the highway near this intersection and noted that it is a dangerous intersection. He asked the Board's cooperation in getting the State to recognize the problem and take action. The Board asked Mr. Wadzinski about a traffic count taken last week and Mr. Wadzinski said that count was not conclusive because it was of short duration and there were mechanical difficulties which would make the test invalid. Mr. Brunner asked about the results of a traffic count last February. Mr. Wadzinski said the February study would be valid. It was a twelve to sixteen hour test, with a manual count and diagrams. In that study, the State warrant was met in that the intersection had continuous traffic and the volume was so great as to deter entrance from a high volume side street. That study was made during acceptable weather conditions. Mr. Brunner asked what response was made by the State following receipt of the February study. Mr. Wadzinski said he was advised that the State indicated traffic on McKinley was moving in excess of the speed limit and they recommended increased enforcement of speed regulations as a corrective measure. He noted that Captain Sweitzer indicated that he did have radar units in the area but they could not make arrests for violations of five miles above the speed limit.