Battle Over Blackstone Boulevard Speed Bump Plan Heats Up

Monday, December 14, 2015

Kate Nagle, GoLocal News Editor

 

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Speed bumps -- and more -- on Blackstone Boulevard will be the topic of a community meeting at Nathan Bishop on Monday. Photo: Wiki/Michael L. Umbricht

Sides are split on a plan to implement speed bumps and “traffic calming” measures on Blackstone Boulevard, with a meeting scheduled Monday for public input at Nathan Bishop Middle School.  

The proposal comes seven years after the East Side’s major thoroughfare went from two lanes down to one, and now the city has revealed preliminary plans to add measures to slow traffic on the Boulevard, which would included twenty-four "speed lumps/humps", nineteen raised crosswalks and three signs.

Proposed Changes:  Map 1, Map 2, Map 3, Map 4 

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“This effort was started by Gayle Aronson years ago, and Sam Zurier attended many meetings that she organized to discuss the issue. They have worked extensively with police, as you know police are severely under staffed and have expressed their inability to enforce traffic regulations very clearly to the residents,” said community organizer Dr. Timothy Murphy.

“So a plan for structural calming as been brewing for at least 3 years. There is a traffic calming committee that hears requests from all over the city. The boulevard residents put in a request through Nate Urso in traffic planning, it took many meetings to get to a plan,” said Murphy. “I think the majority of residents are aware of traffic issues and support traffic calming.”

Not all neighboring residents support the plan, however. 

“I am opposed to the grand scheme for several reasons. I don't think it has been proven to be needed. Murphy's wanting it does not make it needed,” said East Side resident Butch Norman. “I think it will be a waste of precariously precious city funds – our taxes – when there are so many more important needs, such as schools, crime prevention, roads and other infrastructure. I very much am opposed to the process, where a few people can grab the ear of a city official and create a solution to a problem that may not exist.”

Public Input Sought 

City Councilman Sam Zurier, who mentioned the meeting in his weekly newsletter to constituents, did not say if he is for — or against — the project. 

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A portion of the "traffic calming" plan drafted by the City for Blackstone Boulevard

“During 2012-14, I attended several meetings on the subject of speeding on the Boulevard.  There was a speeding issue at that time, so I would assume there still is,” said Zurier. “I have not been involved in the design of the proposal.  With that said, it is common for neighborhood groups to work directly with DPW to develop a proposal.  The purpose of tomorrow’s hearing is to receive public comment before any action is taken.”

Norman said that while he is against the proposal that has been put forward, that he believes the current traffic issues still present a problem.

“I think the Boulevard (southbound) to Butler Ave. past Lincoln through Angell to Waterman to Henderson Bridge needs a reasonable plan to alleviate traffic backing up from mid-afternoon through rush hour,” said Norman. “It sometimes backs up to Lloyd, making it very difficult to enter or cross the Boulevard at its southmost end. Add in the walkers, joggers, bikers, baby strollers moving in all directions and there is a need for some comprehensive plan.”

“Tim Murphy sent out a survey to a few dozen people. My recollection is that the returns were skimpy and, therefore, were "massaged" to reflect Murphy's desired goal,” said Norman. “The first real public input will be at Nathan Bishop. It seems an undemocratic way of doing things.”

Murphy said that he anticipates hearing from opposition to the plan on Monday. 

“I’m sure there will be a small minority of people who won't accept the chance that one car will be diverted to their street, people who are completely self-centered like that are the minority, but often that type of person is very vocal and I expect several of them to be at the meeting,” said Murphy. “I don't believe they represent the majority, anyone who has tried to drive the speed limit and is being reasonable would agree that traffic calming is warranted on the boulevard.”

Cheryl Simmons, who runs a community listserv, has shared numerous comments from East Siders who feel strongly on both sides.

"Personally, I see these traffic "calming" strategies as simply moving the problem on to adjacent streets, all at taxpayer expense," said Simmons. "It seems beneficial for a small group of residents at the expense of the the larger community.  Boulevard residents themselves are split on this issue, and most of the comments on the listserv have been against it. I don't think that most residents knew that a preliminary plan had already been approved by City Engineer Nate Urso's committee."

 

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