More stop signs to come in Tisbury

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— Photo by Ralph Stewart

Tisbury selectmen Tuesday approved a set of new stop signs on Main Street, at the intersection with Greenwood Avenue, following a public hearing Tuesday.

Department of Public Works director Fred LaPiana told selectmen the new stop signs at Main Street and Greenwood Avenue are needed not only to slow traffic down in the vicinity of the Vineyard Haven Public Library, but also to create a safe path for pedestrians because a bus stop is located opposite the intersection.

Two weeks ago selectmen approved new stop signs, installed last week, at the intersection of Main Street and Woodlawn Avenue, a block away. Those signs caught motorists by surprise, police parked an electronic billboard on Main Street to alert drivers.

Mr. LaPiana also brought two new stop sign proposals to the selectmen. First, he suggested adding stop signs at the intersection of Franklin Street and Woodlawn Avenue near to Grace Church, to create a three-way intersection to slow traffic and increase pedestrian safety. He also proposed moving the existing crosswalk to the north side of the intersection and extending the sidewalk on the north side of Woodlawn Avenue to connect with the new crosswalk.

Mr. LaPiana’s second proposal was to add a crosswalk and new stop signs to make a three-way stop at the intersection of Causeway Road and Skiff Avenue. Since Causeway Road is used as a bicycle route to Skiff Avenue, he said the intersection would eventually require a marked crossing anyway. Mr. LaPiana said the intent of installing a three-way stop is to protect pedestrians and bicyclists who cross at the intersection, which has limited site distance because of a curve in the road.

The selectmen agreed to hold a public hearing on both proposals at their next meeting on Tuesday, October 30.

The Mass DOT’s “Manual of Uniform Traffic Control devices and the standard municipal traffic code,” section 10A-4, states,”The purpose of the Stop Sign is to designate right-of-way to vehicles making conflicting movements. It is not intended, nor shall it be used for the control of speed, traffic calming or to forestall pedestrian, rear-end or turning movement accidents.”

A spokesman for DOT said towns must meet DOT criteria before installing stop signs.