Date: Fri 14-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

traffic-police-Lysaght

Full Text:

Chief Seeks State Approval For Changes At Church Hill/Commerce Road

Intersection

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Police Chief James E. Lysaght, Jr, is seeking to improve traffic conditions at

the congested intersection of Church Hill Road and Commerce Road.

Acting on behalf of the Police Commission, Chief Lysaght is seeking state

approval to allow the creation of a left-turn lane, straight-through lane, and

right-turn lane for eastbound Church Hill Road traffic.

So far, the town has received state permission to create a straight-through

lane and right-turn lane for eastbound traffic, the chief said.

There are now two eastbound lanes at the intersection. Neither lane has signs

or markings for direction of travel.

Adding a left-turn lane to allow traffic to turn left into the Pizza Palace

parking lot would improve the intersection's performance, according to Chief

Lysaght.

At the intersection, Church Hill Road is wide enough to allow for three

eastbound travel lanes and one westbound travel lane, the chief said.

Eastbound motorists would be alerted that there are three eastbound lanes at

the intersection by arrows painted on the street and by signs depicting the

traffic flow pattern, the chief said.

As part of intersection improvements, the chief said he wants an existing

traffic signal repositioned so that it points directly at motorists exiting

the Pizza Palace parking lot, thus regulating traffic flow from there.

The combined traffic flow changes would improve traffic safety and traffic

speed at the heavily-traveled intersection, he said.

A repainted "fog stripe" on eastbound Church Hill Road just east of the

intersection would "visually funnel" eastbound traffic into one lane there,

Chief Lysaght said.

The eastbound section of Church Hill Road between Commerce Road and I-84 is

the scene of many minor accidents. It is especially hazardous because there

are numerous driveways for businesses positioned there. Also, some motorists

use the eastbound road shoulder there as if it were a travel lane.

Chief Lysaght said he will be asking the State Traffic Commission and state

Department of Transportation for permission to create the traffic flow changes

at the intersection. Any changes must conform to the standards of the National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration, he said.

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) recently started submitting requests

for Police Commission advice regarding traffic flow aspects of development

proposals. The Police Commission serves as the town's traffic authority.

Chief Lysaght said he hopes to get a police officer trained in the principles

of traffic engineering to aid the town with traffic-related matters.