Despite local opposition, Westport’s only traffic light — located at the intersection of Montesano Street and Ocean Avenue — will become an all-way stop “as early as the morning of Tuesday, June 23,” according to a travel advisory issued by the state Department of Transportation.
“The aging traffic signal will be turned to a flashing red for all directions of traffic,” read the advisory. “Crews will install temporary stop signs to bring additional attention to the new stop condition.”
Westport Mayor Rob Bearden sent an email June 8 to Department of Transportation project manager Lisa Boone, expressing his and many residents’ opposition to the traffic revision and asking for a test period timed to most accurately gauge typical summer traffic flow.
“Once again, I am adamantly requesting that this project be put on the back burner and revisited next summer if necessary,” wrote Bearden. “As we have mentioned, if you do the test (as described by the Department of Transportation), it will provide data that does not give an accurate portrayal of the usage of that intersection during a typical summer.”
Boone’s email, sent prior to Bearden’s, said a 90-day signal test period will begin June 22. Radar traffic counting devices will be installed June 29 and collect data until July 13, encompassing two weekends, including the July 4 holiday weekend.
“After the traffic counts are collected, we will determine if a new analysis is required based on this new data,” read Boone’s email.
“Doing a test right now makes no sense if you are trying to obtain useful and accurate data. With COVID-19, this is definitely not a typical spring/summer. People across our state that would normally visit our area are still being asked to limit their travel under the Governor’s Safe Start Plan to help curb the spread of COVID-19,” replied Bearden. “Our own citizens have also been limiting their activities as requested to help do our part. Our town is going through enough right now trying to survive COVID-19. Why is it necessary to try and complete this test during a pandemic?”
Bearden continued, “As shown in previous documentation sent to you, our community is staunchly opposed to this project. Please do not waste resources on a test that is not going to provide accurate data of the typical usage of that intersection.”
History
In January, a representative from the Department of Transportation advised the Westport City Council of the agency’s decision that “the outdated traffic signal at this intersection has reached the end of its useful life.”
At that time, the department’s “preferred alternative” was to keep traffic free flowing on Montesano Street, the main drag into Westport, and put a stop sign for Ocean Avenue traffic when it hits the Montesano Street intersection near the Shop ’n Kart grocery store. A new light or roundabout were deemed too expensive by the state.
This “preferred option” drew concerned comments from locals, who said the continuous flow of traffic on Montesano Street would create unsafe pedestrian crossing situations and make getting into and out of the Shop ’n Kart, the post office and other popular businesses there more difficult.
Petitions were drawn up in opposition to it, and now the Department of Transportation is going with the all-way stop instead.
“These changes are part of an in-depth evaluation phase using real-world conditions,” read the Department of Transportation advisory. “The evaluation phase will determine the best steps moving forward to keep travelers moving and ensure a cost effective permanent solution for the intersection.”
