Raised Crosswalks May Deter Truck Exclusion in North Reading

Residents on Chestnut and New Streets submitted a in July 2010.

Over the last two years, the  and  have completed studies and come up with various options to deter the excessive heavy commercial traffic on these streets. One of the options was raised crosswalks, and residents agree that it could be the solution.

Police Chief Mike Murphy and Selectman Mike Prisco met with about 25 of the residents from Chestnut and New streets regarding the problem. Most residents who attended the meeting were in agreement that raised crosswalks may be the solution, Prisco told Selectmen at their meeting Monday night.

The idea is to install three raised crosswalks on Chestnut Street. The exact figure has not been calculated yet, however Prisco said that a cost of $2,000 each has been "tossed around." If the North Reading DPW completes the work, it could be less expensive.

"The intent of this is not to slow the trucks down; it’s too discourage them from using that route," Selectmen Chairman Bob Mauceri said.

Murphy said that he spoke with other police chiefs who have raised crosswalks in their communities, and he recommends them. He made it clear that the success of the crosswalks can not be determined until they are installed and the department has the opportunity to complete an evalutaion.

A Chestnut Street resident was present at the selectmen's meeting and said that the majority of the residents would like to see the crosswalks installed, and believe that it is the first step in the right direction. 

The question of response time was raised at the meeting. Fire Chief William Warnock was present to field that question.

"It is going to affect our response times," Warnock said. 

If there are three raised crosswalks, a fire engine and or ambulance would have to start and stop six times on Chestnut Street, Warnock said. 

"If you choose to do this, it is what it is and we will work around it," he said.

He also mentioned that he spoke to other fire chiefs who have raised crosswalks in their communities and they said that they did not have a problem with it.

If the raised crosswalks do not work, the residents would like to move forward with the truck exclusion.