Select board supports speed limit drop near new station
Traffic could be forced to drive slower near the new fire station. Photo by Sandy Quadros Bowles
The new fire station is slated to open in July 2027. Photo by Sandy Quadros Bowles
Traffic could be forced to drive slower near the new fire station. Photo by Sandy Quadros Bowles
The new fire station is slated to open in July 2027. Photo by Sandy Quadros Bowles
LAKEVILLE -- Select board members agreed to take the first steps to potentially lowering the speed limit on Bedford Street near the new fire station.
Dropping the limit from the current 50 miles per hour would improve safety for both drivers on Bedford Street and firefighters exiting the station, Fire Chief Michael O’Brien told select board members at their April 21 meeting.
Placing a traffic light at the location, another potential public safety option, could cause more problems than it solves, O’Brien said.
With the light only going on when fire apparatus is activated, drivers might not be expecting a light and suddenly be forced to make a sudden stop, he said.
Thirty years ago, that stretch of road was quiet, Select Board member Lia Fabian noted. Now the area is home to Ted Williams camp entrance, the police station and the fire station, which is under construction and is scheduled to open in 2027.
A state traffic study would be needed to make a possible speed limit change, Perkins said.
Select Board member Chris Plonka encouraged the town to ask state legislators to determine whether state funds could cover the study.
Town Administrator Andrew Sukeforth agreed to reach out to state Department of Transportation officials to begin the process.
“It would be nice to see’’ the limit dropped from 50 to 40 and then eventually to 25 miles an hour, Select Board member Paul Hunt said.
He described that area as “a mess at times.’’
