Daily News Question of the Week: Ward 5 candidates address Low Street traffic

Daily News of Newburyport article

Question of the Week

Speeding has always been an issue in Newburyport and Low Street is one of the few areas where the speed limit is 35 mph. Assuming you agree with this premise, what can a City Councilor do about it? What would you do about it?  Please offer specifics on both aspects.

My full response

“Speeding is definitely a problem in Newburyport. Unfortunately, the City Council can’t unilaterally change the 35 mph speed limit on Low Street, which was determined through a MassDOT reviewed traffic study. That study determined that out of every 100 cars, 15 traveled at a speed above 35 mph. 

Enforcement alone won’t solve the problem. Many drivers don’t perceive driving above 35 mph as unsafe, so they’ll revert to old habits when police aren’t in the neighborhood. The solution is to influence driver behavior by implementing traffic calming measures—something that does lie within the Council’s purview.

As Councilor, I will propose an ordinance to require traffic calming measures be considered when planning to repave roads. Traffic calming designs can include narrowing lanes, creating alignment changes, and changing pavement texture. If the city will be using debt to fund street upgrades, we’ll be paying for the work for the next 20 years. That means roads should be designed to meet our needs well into the future. In addition to addressing safety needs, repavement projects are also an opportunity for forward-thinking bike and pedestrian access, drainage, and underground utilities.

It is also the Council’s job to approve city staffing levels and funding. As Councilor, I will ensure that the Department of Public Services has engineering personnel and resources to support ongoing traffic analysis and construction oversight as the city grows.

Currently, paving projects in the city are ranked within each ward. However, Low Street spans three wards, and should be considered independently. Because Low Street is the gateway to the middle school, commuter rail, industrial park, and hopefully the future NYS location, it regularly serves nearly all city residents. The Council should therefore use its authority to prioritize and adequately fund improvements to Low Street that will reduce speeding and improve safety.”