A new traffic light rig has been installed to regulate traffic generated by the Northbrook housing development just north of Centreville.
Paid for by the community’s developer Northbrook Farms LLC, the developer, according to Centreville Town Clerk Carolyn Brinkely, was responding both to the residents’ desire for a traffic light and an SHA mandate.
“It was a stipulation by the SHA that when the community reached 330 [occupany permits], they had to install a light system,” she said.
“It is our hope that the signal will make traveling this section of Rte. 213 & the entrance/exit to Northbrook and Spaniard Neck Road safer for everyone,” said Centreville’s Town Council President Tim McCluskey on his blog.
According to McCluskey, the rig was officially switched to the “on” position Tuesday, February 21, flashing red for 72 hours until it became fully operational.
During that period of time, the red flashing lights flickered down Spaniard’s Neck road, a surreal sight to anyone driving east back to Rte. 213 after the miles of farmland and forest that characterize the backroad many use as a gateway to the beaches of the Corsica and Chester Rivers.
“I think there is no question that this will enhance traffic safety in the area, as it will serve as a mechanism to slow down southbound traffic into the area, and stop traffic coming out of Northbrook,” said Centreville Chief of Police Charlie Rhodes over the phone.
The light cost Northbrook Farms LLC $131,000 to design and install. The lights hang at the intersection of Spaniard’s Neck Road, rt. 213, and Northbrook’s entrance road, Wexford Drive.
Town Council President McCluskey also explained that in addition to putting in the new traffic signal, the Town of Centreville has been working with the SHA to reduce the speed limits going into town on Rte. 213 from ‘bridge to bridge’.
“This has been very helpful,” he said in a later email, “with the relocation of the Wye River Upper School to the old Armory on Commerce St. coming soon, the reduced speed limits will help keep students and teachers safe.”
Joe Diamond says
This is how it is done.
One little community at a time. I remember the road from Washington D.C. to Baltimore, MD when it wandered through farms with cows and fields full of fruit trees. Much of the land was forest. It looked a lot like Queen Anne’s County, MD. Go drive MD 29 from Washington D.C. to Baltimore, MD and you can see the future.
Joe