TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 4

TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 4
6:30PM
120 WASHINGTON STREET, 3rd Floor

Late in 2015, a pedestrian required emergency services after being struck by a car and seriously injured on lower Endicott Street at its intersection with Pratt. The vehicle, coming from Marblehead, came across the Margin Street intersection from Mill Street (Domino's, Walsh Insurance). Following this incident, 47 immediate neighbors signed a petition asking the Mayor for help with an unacceptable and steadily worsening traffic situation that you are probably quite aware of.
In December 2015, GESNA (Greater Endicott Street Neighborhood Association) created the Lower Endicott Traffic Sub-Committee (LETS-C) to work with the city to find a solution. It has 6 official members and about the same number of other neighbors assisting. They all live in the affected area (between the intersections of Endicott/Margin and Endicott/Summer).

In early 2016, the city hired an independent firm (the VHB) to conduct a study of the situation. At a meeting in April 2016, the LETS-C learned the results: An appalling 2,400 vehicles enter Endicott Street from Mill and Margin per day. To make matters worse, many of these vehicles travel at speeds that are not appropriate for a neighborhood street. In mid-2016, two "20mph" signs were installed on lower Endicott. While not enforceable, it was hoped that they might slow traffic down. However, with each passing day, lower Endicott becomes a more common short-cut for non-neighborhood drivers looking to avoid downtown Salem and get to points north and west as quickly as possible. GESNA is aware of at least 2 more traffic accidents in the affected area since the first incident. One vehicle, nearly totaled, had to be towed away.

In January 2017, the LETS-C coordinator gave new City of Salem Traffic and Parking Director, Matt Smith, a tour of the problem area. The Director suggested another meeting with the LETS-C and to invite residents of both lower Endicott and Prescott Streets. That meeting took place on April 11, 2017. In attendance were Matt Smith, Mayor Kim Driscoll, Councilors Stephen Lovely and Arthur Sargent, City Engineer David Knowlton, the VHB and 13 neighbors. Several ideas were discussed and will continue to be considered, including having lower Endicott Street become a one-way (down from Summer Street to Margin). The rest of the street would remain unchanged.

One of those ideas is being sent to the Traffic Commission for approval. It is a Pilot Program (test run) for lower Endicott and lower Prescott Streets. If approved, signage that will read "Do Not Enter, 7-9AM, 3-6PM" will be placed at the intersections of Endicott/Margin and Prescott/Margin. The reason Prescott Street would get this restriction along with Endicott, is because traffic that currently uses Endicott might simply adopt Prescott Street as the new short-cut. Thus, the same traffic nightmare plaguing Endicott could be recreated one street over. While this part-time restriction is slightly inconvenient, it is a sacrifice the lower Endicott residents are willing to make for a safer street and the greater good.

This change would also affect those of you who use lower Endicott and Prescott Streets. For that reason, GESNA, Matt Smith, Mayor Driscoll and the Councilors all feel these developments should be shared with the entire neighborhood at this time. If you have an opinion, idea, question or concern, you may want to attend the next meeting of the Traffic and Parking Commission to share them. Again, the Commission will be making the final determination on implementing this one option.

Contact info:
MATT SMITH, Traffic and Parking Director
msmith@salem.com
978-619-5697