High traffic volume, speeding, and traffic congestion during rush hours are issues that the Washington Avenue Neighborhood Association would like to see addressed by the town and State Highway Administration.
During the December 15 town council meeting, Chestertown and Washington Avenue resident David Bowering informed the council of a recent meeting with representatives of the State Highway Administration (SHA) in regard to traffic along Washington Avenue.
Bowering is a member of the Washington Avenue Neighborhood Association, a group promoting a safer Washington Avenue residential area.
SHA representatives met with Bowering at his 209 Washington Avenue residence, Bowering said. The representatives were impressed enough with the volume of traffic that they agreed to run tests for vehicle types and speeds. Two tests were run and the results will be public sometime in January, 2015.
The SHA also suggested that Washington Avenue from Maple Street to Greenwood Ave. might be considered as “a prime candidate for a Streetscape project.”
Typically SHA Streetscape projects address highway safety, traffic operations, pedestrian and transit access and aesthetics. Concepts are developed by town officials, community leaders, residents and business owners and may include underground utility work; partial roadway reconstruction and resurfacing; new sidewalks and community amenities, such as American With Disabilities Act (ADA) – compliant sidewalks and ramps; drainage improvements, new retaining walls and landscaping to enhance the appearance of the corridor.
Bowering noted that while sidewalk and pedestrian issues were not the Association’s primary reason for contacting the SHA, he felt that the Streetscape project was worthwhile considering.
Mayor Cerino questioned the speeding issue saying that his experience was more often with heavy traffic congestion due to the many stoplights along the Rt 213/Washington Avenue corridor. He added that he would be interested in the results of the SHA analysis and that the council would review the test data when available and consider options for improvements. Cerino invited Bowering back to the council when he had the data from the SHA studies.
Bill Anderson says
More traffic lights, sabs synchronization, along the entire length of Washington Ave. from route 291 south to the Chester River Bridge should help with speeding. Opening the drawbridge for various periods during the year would reduce traffic volumes as well.
Pete Buxtun says
Did you really just suggest opening the bridge to slow traffic congestion?
Stephanie Thomas says
Opening the bridge will back traffic up in town and then people will wait forever to get across the bridge and then want to speed once they get through for having to wait. Opening the bridge is not a good idea and will make matters worse.
Carolyn Niemela says
Great to hear about the possibilities. Would like to make a request: let’s also encourage drivers to observe state law (I think it’s a law) that motorists stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. On Queen St and Maple a few weeks ago it was rather horrifying to see a lady in a wheelchair attempting to cross. No one stopped. I think I counted 16 cars!. Appalling.
Gerald Maynes says
f the State slows the flow of traffic on Washington avenue to much, it will just be one more reason not to shop in Chestertown. The results will be empty store fronts downtown and less revenue to pay for town responsibilities . This means less jobs and higher taxes and one more reason for the young folks to seek a life in other localities. That’s the trade off.
Mike Waal says
High Traffic Volume; Traffic Congestion During Rush Hour; Speeding.
How can you have speeding with high volume traffic congestion?
Chestertown doesn’t know what high traffic volume and congestion is.
But just wait.
Suggest y’all drive around the Washington or Baltimore Beltways during rush hour;
I-95 in the Springfield, VA or I-66 between Manassas & Fairfax.
THAT IS TRAFFIC VOLUME AND CONGESTION.
I’m not suggesting that is what we have, but on scale it is close.
Albeit, five cars at a traffic light does not constitute congestion or a traffic tie-up.
Five traffic control lights between Route 291 and the Bridge, a distance of about one mile,
not synchronized for anything DOES.
Least we forget the college student controlled traffic light. Not synchronized to anything but the student controlled traffic light button.
Oh, and some folks want to build more housing and shopping just west of downtown Chestertown increasing vehicle count;
and the college wants to increase the student population, and have less restrictive zoning for their property at 213&291for further development potential which will also increase vehicle count and pedestrian traffic.
AND folks want a Target or Walmart in the area. Yea. Right. Let me know how that works out for ya, traffic wise.
The traffic lights AND the 25 mph speed limit just exasperates travelers who want to get thru Chestertown.
That is why drivers speed up, WHEN THEY CAN. To get thru Chestertown.
It is a natural reaction. Not legal, and I’m not endorsing it, it is what it is. Frustration!
And someone is upset that traffic doesn’t stop at pedestrian cross walks. Really?!
Sounds like people want their cake and eat it to, but it is not going to happen with the current infrastructure, common sense and logic prevailing: a 25 mph speed limit enforced; pedestrian cross walks to slow and stop traffic;
no congestion-especially during prime and peak traffic flow times;traffic lights to allow side street incoming traffic, especially at the Hospital intersection;all with the potential for increased vehicle counts with the advent of more shopping opportunities, i.e., Target or Walmart, and more housing.
Solution = By-Pass.
Mike Waal
Tolchester Heights
True, I don’t live in Chestertown, but I do have to drive thru it, just like everyone else in Kent County.