CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
WORKSHOP
WEDNESDAY,
7:30 P.M.
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Wednesday, February 3, 1993, and is called to order at 7:35 P.M. by Mayor Rolland R. Grant.
Present
Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.
Norman J. Miranda
Mayor Rolland R. Grant
Council Members
Paul E. Lemont
Absent
Gerald R. Lynch
Robert D. Sullivan, Council Members
William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor
Mayor Grant addresses the audience regarding Taunton Avenue (Six Corners). He asks for an explanation from the representatives of DOT as to leaving Taunton Avenue as it is now and doing reconstruction to it or making it accessible to two-way traffic.
Dave Fergerson, RIDOT, Project Engineer and Manager for this project, introduces Frank Romeo, consulting engineer.
He states that a reconstruction study began in 1986.
This study was done to compare the one-way traffic system opposed to making Taunton Avenue open to two-way traffic.
A circulation study found that the two-way traffic system would work on a projected volume into the year 2010.
The next phase of the study was the Draft Design Study Report. Two alternatives were evaluated. The report was published in 1991 and a Public Hearing was held in June 1991. The report did not make a final recommendation, the reason being, the magnitude of the change that would result if Taunton Avenue did go from one-way to two-way.
In January 1992, the City Council recommended to DOT that Six-Corners remain a one-way system. At that point the project entered into the final design process.
Mr. Romeo discusses traffic signals with the two-way system. One at John and Taunton Avenue, one at Water?? and Taunton Avenue and one at Hall and Taunton Avenue.
Travel time would be similar for one-way or two-way, taking the traffic lights into consideration.
A Parking Study was done. Reverting back to a two-way system would require the lose of twenty one (21) on street parking spaces compared to eleven (11) on street parking spaces with a one-way system.
Mr. Miranda questions Mr. Romeo as to what side streets are affected mow, due to traffic. He also questions Mr. Fergerson as to how long the two-way system would take to go into effect.
Mr. Fergerson replies probably by 1995. If the system is to remain one-way, construction will probably begin by 1994.
Mr. Larisa asks for a comparison of the two-way vs. the one-way system in regards to traffic congestion.
Mr. Miranda discusses the concerns of the Kidney Center and Leonard Safety Company.
Jeanne Boyle, Planning Director discusses the City Comprehensive Plan and the potential growth and revitalization of the Six-Corners area.
Mr. Larisa and Mr. Miranda hold a discussion regarding the consideration of the merchants who have businesses in the Six-Corners area
Frank Harndey of 14 Ellis Street, addresses the Council. He states that he is the owner of a building at Six-Corners. He also states that the Six-Corners area has good parking availability and he favors a one-way traffic system.
Peter Cappello, owner of the Bowling Academy states that a two-way street would help him in his business.
Harold Ray of Leonard Safety Equipment states that he is in favor of keeping the one-way traffic pattern. He also states that no one has brought up the fact of what the impact would be on the residents of the housing for the elderly on Taunton Avenue, if the traffic pattern were to change.
Mr. Ray submits a list of eighty (80) signatures obtained by Michael Dipollito, a resident of the housing for the elderly, who are opposed to changing the traffic pattern.
Mr. Miranda states, for the record that he spoke to Mr. Dipollito.
Ruth St Jean, representative of the Kidney Center, speaks on the accessibility issue regarding the traffic pattern.
Leo Sullivan discusses parking in regards to one-way and two-way traffic.
Wilfrid Gates, 1540 Pawtucket Avenue, states that he is in favor of the two-way traffic system.
Mr. Larisa asks if anyone in the audience is in favor of the two-way traffic pattern. No one replies.
Meeting adjourns at 9:29 P.M.
Attest:
Mary Gadouas
Deputy City Clerk
Approved: March 1, 1993