The staff received a request from a Ms. Bette Sesse representing City residents who live adjacent to Old Main Street between Congress Street and Main Street. The request was related to the residents having difficulties backing out of their existing driveways. The residents requested some type of traffic control device installed that would discourage drivers from using the section of Old Main Street as a "cut thru" in an attempt to avoid the traffic signal located at Main Street and Congress Street. Staff performed two (2) seven-day traffic studies. The reports identified an average of 2,332 vehicles a day traveling on Old Main Street or 16,323 vehicles weekly. The reports also identified the average 85th percentile of travel speeds ranged from 30 mph to 33 mph or five (5) to eight (8) mph above the posted speed limit of 25 mph.
In addition to the traffic study reports, staff contracted with MCH Engineering to review the data collected and identify possible regulatory solutions for staff to implement. Their report concluded that the section of Old Main Street between Congress Street and Main Street has evolved from a residential road into a "minor collector road." Their recommendation is the installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Polk Street and Old Main Street. If approved by Council, the four-way stop sign installation is permitted by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Section 2B.07 Multi-Way Stop Applications: D. An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where multi-way stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics of the intersection.