Photo: Town of Canton
CANTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Canton officials are looking for ways to curb speeding and safety hazards on a busy street in town.
At a virtual meeting on Tuesday night, Select Board members and Canton residents weighed in on plans to put traffic-calming islands on Dedham Street. Many residents, as well as parents of the John F Kennedy Elementary School on Dedham Street, have reported seeing people traveling faster than double the speed limit on the busy street.
“When I turn into my driveway, every time, I hold my breath that somebody’s not going so fast behind me that they can’t stop,” said one Dedham Street resident at the virtual meeting.
“When I see the islands, I just pretend they’re not there because they’re so annoying. I don’t think they help aesthetically or slow traffic, but if it will slow down traffic for the schools then I support that,” said another Canton resident.
While most of the board is in favor of adding traffic-calming islands, Vice-Chair John McCourt believes they could become an even bigger safety hazard.
“I think one of the biggest things I’ve heard through everybody’s conversation is the speed and I think that is an enforcement issue,” said McCourt. “I believe if we have somebody there many times during the month [over] multiple months, they’ll get the picture not to speed on Dedham St.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama asked Canton residents whether or not they were in favor of the traffic-calming islands proposal.
“I think it’s okay, I mean, it’s alright. Safety’s the most important thing,” said one resident.
“I’d say I’d be against it, you know? There’s a lot of traffic in this area. There’s been a lot of new developments and construction, but I’d say overall they do a good job,” said another resident.
“I think the islands are going to disrupt the situation,” said another resident.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chris Fama (CFamaWBZ) reports.
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