DPW director: New pattern slowing traffic, saving lives

Residents, businesses mostly pleased with August change

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — In an attempt to gain public input regarding recent adaptations to the traffic pattern through the downtown business district, a public forum was held at City Hall Wednesday that revealed that for the most part, residents and businesses were happy with the changes. Members of the Traffic Commission said a public forum was seen as necessary because the changes, which were temporarily implemented in August during an extensive road paving project, had been both complimented and criticized. Dane Arnold, director of the Department of Public Works, said that the pattern was criticized in the beginning because residents simply weren’t used to the changes, and that it has since made the downtown area safer for motorists and pedestrians. “What we on the commission found after looking at it is that this pattern slows down traffic tremendously downtown and pedestrians for the most part are safer,” said Mr. Arnold. “For the most part the only thing we still need to work on are the people who are still blowing off stop signs.” Another member of the traffic commission who had played an intricate role in the development of the new pattern was Deputy Police Chief Rock Barrieau, who said the increasing number of drivers obeying the posted stop signs was encouraging. “What we are looking for is feedback from business owners downtown, motorists who traverse through this intersection and pedestrians that regularly use those crosswalks,” said Mr. Barrieau. Another improvement attributed to the new pattern is a decrease in overall traffic through the area, according to Mr. Arnold. “There really is not as much traffic back-up,” said Mr. Arnold. “Traffic used to back up starting on Main Street, going down and back up Pleasant Street and even on Parker Street during heavy congestion times and we aren’t seeing that right now.” City engineer and member of the commission, Robert Hankinson, said he was skeptical when the pattern was first implemented, but has since found that the pattern benefits the city. “I had been an advocate of traffic lights or traffic signals, and as you know I am not a native Gardner resident, and I always thought that the traffic pattern through downtown was very confusing,” said Mr. Hankinson. “And after looking at it, I think the way it is now is working.” One business owner who spoke at the meeting was Alan Leblanc, owner of John’s Sport Shop and president of Square Two Inc., who said he was pleased with the changes. “The traffic pattern is working perfectly,” said Mr. Leblanc. “It is amazing how many people are stopping at this point in front of my store. For the most part I think this is working great and I think the merchants are really happy with it.” Several city councilors attended the forum to voice their approval of the traffic pattern, including Kim Dembrosky, who said she too had concerns in the beginning. “I just wanted to let you know when this originally came out, I was very skeptical about this,” said Ms. Dembrosky. “I thought we needed a signal, but after spending a couple of mornings down on the street with Mr. Barrieau and Mr. Arnold and weighing the pros and cons, they have sold me and I think the stop signs are working. I think it will be safer for pedestrians, and I want to thank you all for taking that time to talk to me about it.” Although business owners and residents at the forum seemed to generally approve the pattern, Mr. Arnold said there are plans to implement additional informative and precautionary signs. “This is by no means set in stone,” said Mr. Arnold. “We still need to set up some trail-blazing signs that will label City Hall Avenue, the post office and the police and fire stations so motorists will have a better idea of where things are downtown, and we are still willing to tweak this pattern.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 9/25/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 227)