Daniel/Jackson Street Intersection
From Newtonstreets
Contents |
Problem
The general Daniel/Jackson Street problems are described here.
The problem with the intersection itself is the excessive speed of traffic travelling westbound on Jackson to Daniel. There is only a gentle curve, so cars/trucks do not have to slow to enter Daniel Street. The problem is exacerbated by the hill down Jackson to Daniel.
Pending Solution
DPW has proposed a redesign of the intersection that will push out the curb line on the north side of the intersection, requiring westbound traffic to slow before entering Daniel Street.
Shaded area indicates curb extension. Click on the image to get to a bigger version.
Status
Pending Petitions
On December 4, 2006, Commissioner Rooney indicated that the Newton Fire Department had approved the intersection as designed/sand-bagged, that he had notified the Public Facilities Committee, and that the committe had withdrawn the condition on approval.
On November 13, 2006, the Finance Committee of the Board of Alderman approved item #289-03(5), authorizing appropriation of $25,000 from the Bradford Development Traffic Mitigation Fund for the purpose of installing the curb line changes proposed in item #289-03(4).
Minutes of the November 13, 2006, Finance Committee Meeting(PDF).
On November 8, 2006, the Public Facilities Committee of the Board of Alderman approved item # 289-03(4), authorizing plans submitted by Commmissioner Rooney to move the north curb line of the Jackson/Daniel Street intersection, pending navigation of the trial changes to the intersection by a Newton Fire Department ladder truck.
On November 8, 2006, the Public Facilities Committee of the Board of Alderman approved item # 289-03(5), authorizing appropriation of $25,000 from the Bradford Development Traffic Mitigation Fund for the purpose of installing the curb line changes proposed in item #289-03(4).
Minutes of the November 8, 2006, Public Facilities Committee meeting (PDF).
Traffic Calming Trial
A traffic calming trial of the proposed curb line extension ran from early November through early December 2006. DPW placed sand bags along the proposed curb line (and then removed them for plowing). The sand bags were reinstalled on April 3, 2007, to familiarize motorists with the impending permanent change
Neighborhood Input
After the traffic calming trial, engineers from the DPW met with neighbors to discuss design issues (listed in full below). The area between the old curb and the new will be filled. The sidewalk near the 3 Daniel Street driveway will be widened a bit (but not pulled away from the wall).
The city engineers promised to include the following in the design and budget, with final construction depending on the effect on the budget and priorities:
- Change the southwest curb to make a clearer T and make the width of Jackson Street more consistent through the curve
- Put rumble strips or other devices between lanes on Daniel (approaching the stop line) and on Jackson (just north of Daniel) to discourage cars from cutting across lanes
Design issues raised with the city engineers include:
- Changing the southwest curb to make a clearer T -- Would there by an additional benefit gained by more clearly defining the intersection by moving out the southwest corner to make a more distinct T of the intersection? This may also narrow the intersection.
- Narrow Jackson --- Would it help to narrow Jackson to a consistent (minimum allowable?) width through the curve?
- Move crosswalk and stop sign east --- The placement of the crosswalk and stop sign appear to make the intersection wider. Would safety be improved by making the crosswalk shorter and moving it further towards the intersection?
- More crosswalks --- Is there any reason not to have crosswalks across Jackson?
- Apron of the driveway extension -- The apex of the new curve is also the end of the 3 Daniel Street driveway. In the sandbag trial, the apex is just a white line on the street. Traffic cuts the apex, somewhat diminishing the effect of the new curb line. The issue is whether the permanent concrete apron/curb cut will discourage this corner-cutting.
- Westbound traffic crossing over into eastbound Daniel Street -- Because of the excellent sight lines down Daniel Street, westbound traffic can see whether there is eastbound traffic on Daniel Street. If there isn't any, the westbound traffic turns wide, reducing the effectiveness of the new curb line on reducing speed. Is there a way (with concrete rumble strips?) to discourage westbound traffic from crossing over? This is not a new issue. With the existing curb line, traffic crosses over ... in fact, at a higher speed. But, is there a way to further reduce this problem?
- Reconsider three-way stop signs -- Might be less problematic with reconfigured design.
- Raised crosswalk(s) --- Especially if we have any money left over. An alternative would be pavers.
- Relocating storm drain will deplete budget -- Are there design alternatives that might eliminate the need to relocate?
- Path of the sidewalk -- Because the 3 Daniel Street driveway is currently so short, the owner's car hangs over the sidewalk a foot or so. As part of the permanent change, the sidewalk could be moved out into the newly created area to make the sidewalk more navigable. There are also drainage problems under the sidewalk that should be addressed.
- Fill of the new extension -- Confirm that the curb extension will be filled with grass. Maybe it could be a little neighborhood managed garden
- Trees and planting plan -- Trees before the intersection would help define the curb. One tree was recently removed. Others could be replaced.
History
Number of requests to Traffic Council for three-way stop signs. Rejected as potentially counter-productive.
Consultant study. Two recommendations:
- Mini-roundabout -- Favored by the neighborhood. Trialed with some success. Rejected because city did not have sufficient right-of-way.
- Reconfigured intersection -- A more defined turn from Jackson to Daniel. Currently being trialed. Approved by Public Facilities. Scheduled for Spring installation.
