Jef Nickerson
(PROVIDENCE) Council President Pro Tempore Terrence M. Hassett, who represents Ward 12, announced that traffic calming measures will be implemented in the coming weeks on several Smith Hill streets.
Hassett appropriated funds from the Community Development Block Grant earlier this year, for the purpose of installing motor vehicle speed control devices, also known as speed humps, on six streets where speeding motorists are a chronic problem. The construction of the speed humps will be accompanied by appropriate signage and road striping with reflective lines.
Under the councilman’s direction, the Public Works Department reviewed the following roadways, and found they were suitable for the proposed traffic calming measures:
- Nolan Street (from Bernon Street to Chalkstone Avenue)
- Bath Street (from Orms Street to Chalkstone Avenue)
- Ayrault Street (from Chalkstone Avenue to Raymond Street)
- Ruggles Street (from Chalkstone Avenue to Smith Street)
- Duke Street (from Smith Street to Orms Street)
- Harris Avenue (immediate vicinity of 301 Harris Avenue)
“The community has expressed enthusiastic support for measures to reduce speeding on these streets,” Hassett stated. “Over the years, we have attempted to minimize speeding through enforcement, speed monitors, and other efforts. Unfortunately, none has resulted in long-term improvement.”
He continued, “The affected residential streets are often utilized as ‘cut-through’ roads for motorists who do not live there. The high speeds of travel put in danger pedestrians, children at play, elders and those with disabilities, other motorists, and all who use the road and sidewalks,” Hassett said. “Speed humps are proven speed and traffic control devices, and I eagerly await their installation, which will help protect against unnecessary accidents and injury.”
Streets are currently being marked and prepared for construction and installation of the speed humps.
Greater City Providence
I would love to get speed humps on my street. It’s a small street that connects Chalkstone to Pleasant Valley Parkway, but it is often used as a cut through to bypass the traffic light at Chalkstone and River Ave. People fly up and down my little street that is full of kids playing and people walking dogs.
I am not sure if research has been updated but last I heard speed humps actually were worse for a street in that people drive fast between them, slow down and then speed up again, and pay more attention to the humps coming up than what is going on around them, like kids on bikes, and people walking dogs.
If I recall, neck downs and round-abouts were better ways of slowing down traffic…
Slang I have heard for speed bumps: “Dead policemen.”
Neckdowns and chicanes are better but cost more. Brightly painted 12 foot lanes (if that is what they are planning) will induce higher speeds.