The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].

Question:

As the town has grown considerably in the close to 40 years that we have lived here, there are considerable growing pains. Not the least among them is the traffic situation.

This morning, in the 830-9 range, both my wife and I experienced gridlock. While traveling eastbound, she waited at Madison and Second Street for 3 light cycles before being able to cross Madison and I waited for 2 light light cycles before I could cross Madison while traveling eastbound on 4th street. I’m not just speaking about a long line of cars. I am speaking that I sat at the corner and could not move for 2 light cycles because southbound traffic on Madison was in the intersection. I also saw people traveling northbound on Madison, trying to make a left onto 4th Street who were stuck in the intersection because of the line of cars turning left.

I have seen similar, though less intense issues at the corner of First and Clifton. It seems like that situation is exacerbated by the fact that there is a blinking light.

Pine and Washington is another difficult corner, particularly for those who “need” to turn left from Washington onto Pine.

Though I haven’t seen an issue, I am concerned about the stop signs near Second and Forest, because the road is relatively wide and it seems like it is an easy stop sign to miss.

Unfortunately, I think there are a bunch of others, including in places that I don’t get to see.

Thanks for your help in all matters and your accessibility and willingness to address our concerns.

Sincerely,
Neal

Response from Mayor Coles:

Hi Neil

There is a lot to unpack here. I will ask the chief to look into additional intersection blocking enforcement along Madison. I am also going to ask our residents who travel that corridor, and many others, to be a bit more respectful of the other drivers. Blocking the intersection to beat a light doesn’t really save you any time. In fact, it adds to all of our commuting time as folks try to weave in and out.

We are working on Pine & Washington, along with Pine & Vine, to get traffic lights in place.

The new stop sign was welcomed by many. Like many other traffic improvements, it takes some time for drivers to get used to it. I believe we are going to add the flashing lights to it as well to make sure folks recognize the need to stop

Thanks for writing

Ray

Question:

Hi,

Thank you for installing the new light by Boulevard of the Americas and Ave of the Estates.
Before this was installed cars from Boulevard of the Americas that were turning left onto Ave of the Estates would go in the middle lane if the left lane was backed up.

Now, when the lanes are clearly marked, cars are still doing that when it gets backed up. Not only is it rude, it’s also a big safety hazard, as no one is expecting someone to turn from the middle lane as it’s clearly marked that the middle lane is for going straight only.

Is there a way to have law enforcement sitting there during the busy hours (for sure 3:00pm-3:30pm) to make sure no one is doing that?

Thank you!

Response from Mayor Coles:

It may be folks are not familiar with the light yet. I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt! This is one of the reasons that lights are put up and covered, then turned on to flash only before being fully activated.

I will ask Traffic & Safety to look into this and see if maybe we can mark the lanes or add some signage before enforcement begins

Thanks for writing.

Ray

Question:

Hi I was wondering why they haven’t been made walkways from County Line on ridge all the way up ridge to Delmar and Ventura. There is a few schools over there and there’s a lot of people in the Community living there including the Mayor. I would appreciate to hear if there’s any plans of having a walkway sidewalks along Ridge Avenue from County Line all the way up to Ventura and Delmarroad

Thanks

Response from Mayor Coles:

Good afternoon

We are soliciting proposals for this stretch to connect the sidewalks.

Ray

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