Edgartown selectmen agreed Monday to move ahead with a plan to add queue space for cars waiting to board the Chappy Ferry.
Cars that line up on Simpson’s Lane will be able to come down North Water Street in front of the old Edgartown Library, where there will be additional space available while they wait to enter Daggett Street on the way to board the ferry. In the past, a similar area was set aside for vehicles going to the ferry in the fall, when sometimes only one ferry runs. Highway superintendent Stuart Fuller will get the new lines marking the queue location painted. He said the plans are to start allowing access to the space as soon as possible.
For the past year or more, Woody Filley, president of Community Supported Solutions, has worked to develop a plan to address the seasonal log jam of vehicles bound for the ferry. Selectman Margaret Serpa told The Times that the extra space will “help alleviate some of the overflow” and that plans are to start the new system early, so that any issues may be ironed out before the summer season begins.
In other business, William Scully, an engineer with Green International Affiliates, presented the selectmen with results from a speed limit study completed at Meshacket Road. Mr. Scully recommended adding signs warning drivers of curves ahead and posting new lower speed limit signs at designated intervals. He suggested giving drivers more guidance along the road. There are some old signs need updating, Mr. Scully said. He also introduced the selectmen to a program recommended by MassDOT, called Complete Streets. The Complete Street program aims to help communities make changes to their streets to accommodate cars, bicycles, transit buses, walkers, or folks in wheelchairs so that all may travel safely. There is grant money available to communities who work to implement such a plan, he said.
