Council Delays Stop Sign at Midland and Palisades

The intersection of Midland Avenue and Palisades Road—the site of accidents where one child was killed and another injured—will not get a stop sign when Rye begins pedestrian safety improvements in March, the city council decided Wednesday.

Rye has received $695,000 in stimulus funding that is earmarked for traffic improvements throughout the city. However, adding a stop sign to those plans could jeopardize funding for the Midland Avenue corridor, because the sign wasn't part of the original proposal approved for stimulus dollars, said Brian Dempsey, chair of the Traffic and Transportation Committee.

Dempsey said a stop sign was unwarranted at the intersection and could actually cause people to increase their speed rather than slow down.

"Stop signs are not a panacea to solve all the problems," he said. "An unwarranted stop sign increases the chance for accidents because people aren't expecting to stop. If we felt it was the right thing, we would strongly recommend it."

The parents of both Christofer Moreira and Jarrid Amico spoke at the meeting. Moreira was injured when he was hit by an SUV on January 7. In 2006, Jarrid Amico was struck and killed by a car at the same intersection while riding his bike. Police said speed was not a factor in both accidents.

Christopher's mother, Rita, tearfully spoke in front of the council, pleading with them to make safety improvements.

"It's a concern; there has to be crosswalks, pedestrian walks, anything," Moreira said. "Something has to be done."

Jim Amico, who has tirelessly campaigned for a pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection where his son was killed, asked the city council to install a stop sign, a plea Amico has made at council meetings numerous times in the last few years.

"This could have been a nightmare again," Amico said of Moreira's accident. "Thank God it wasn't."

"I don't think anyone here wants to find out what a car going 60 to 70 miles an hour can do to a child that weighs 70 pounds," Amico said. "Enforcement and a stop sign will regulate traffic, period. I don't understand this discussion and I don't understand this dialogue or why it is taking place. We've waited four years."

Though the intersection won't get a stop sign just yet, other improvements are planned for Midland and other areas in Rye.

Midland and Palisades will get a bump-out, which would extend six to eight feet into the road and slow drivers' speed as they turn the corner. Parking would be restricted on Midland, between Grace Church Street and Ellis Court, a measure the council unanimously approved Wednesday. Restricted parking will improve sight distance throughout the area, giving drivers a better view of on oncoming traffic, Dempsey said.

The city will also construct a crosswalk, handicap ramps and pedestrian signals between Rye Beach Pharmacy and Playland Market, update pedestrian signals on Purchase Street, add a crosswalk on Library Lane and perform a host of other upgrades and improvements.

Mayor Doug French said the city is making every effort to ensure traffic safety, especially on Midland Avenue.

"There is a lot of good work being done, but the question is does it go far enough?" French said.

He said the city should move ahead with the approved pedestrian safety improvements, but that the council should continue discussions about putting a temporary or even permanent stop sign at Palisades and Midland.

"I've heard liability; I've heard loss of stimulus dollars," French said. "I think all of those variables need to be looked at and reported back to us."