Stop Sign Could Make Neighborhood Safer
Adding a stop sign in the neighborhood was recommended by the borough's Traffic and Parking Planning Commission, and neighbors say it would be a big help.
After an impromptu softball game featuring some all-star neighborhood kids wrapped up near Crosby Avenue on Monday night, a few neighbors stood on the street talking.
The street is busy with people as well as cars, and if Dormont Council approves a stop sign—to be placed on Hillsdale Avenue at Crosby Avenue—neighbors said it could make their community a whole lot safer.
“We have about 18 kids that live in this block (of Crosby),” said resident Sean Lach. “Speeding, at certain times, is up.”
On Monday, Dormont Council accepted a report of recommendations from the borough’s Traffic and Parking Planning Commission. The recommendations range from adding the stop sign on Hillsdale, to discontinuing the parking space leasing program, and adding traffic calming devices, such as speed bumps, to some borough roads.
Council President Bill McCartney said there are about 13 recommendations in the report, and that council will review them and plans to vote on them at the July meeting.
Some of the issues—like adding a stop sign—are relatively simple and likely won’t require much discussion, he said. Others are more complicated and should be reviewed by the borough’s engineers, Gateway Engineers.
The stop sign would be a small but effective step in making Dormont streets a bit safer, especially at the corner of Crosby and Hillsdale, neighbors said.
In addition to the children in the neighborhood, most of whom are elementary age, Crosby also is a busy street for runners and dog walkers. People often walk from the neighborhood to nearby Dormont Stadium for exercise, or to attend events.
Traffic is heavy, especially during rush hour when neighbors said the street often is used as a cut-through to avoid West Liberty Avenue. A stop sign at the corner would help slow down traffic, and they’re looking forward to seeing one there.
“I think they’ll put one in,” Lach said. “It would definitely make the street safer. The fear is just that I don’t want them to react after something happens.”
Council plans to discuss the Traffic and Parking Planning Commissions recommendations at the next council meeting, which is scheduled for June 25 at 7 p.m.
Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For more information, sign up for our email Newsletter.
Mike
10:04 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Dormont DESPERATELY needs a stop sign at the corner of Mississippi and Texas. I've lived at that intersection for almost 7 years and the number of accidents is outrageous.
I've asked police and neighbors about this and the standard answer I've received is that there isn't a stop sign there because the State Store delivery truck can't deliver booze and stop at a stop sign.
If that is truly the reason, it could be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
Erin Faulk
11:33 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
That's pretty wild—and that is a tough intersection. I might try talking to someone from the Parking/Traffic Planning Commission about that one and see if they'll look into it, or ask council if they can ask the commission to do so.
Holly Hillsdale
12:55 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
We have 4 stop signs at the intersection of Hillsdale and Texas... doesn't seem to stop many from just cruising right through though. Too many people thinking the traffic laws do not apply to them.
RL
1:30 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Thanks for the article Erin. I live on Montpelier, two doors up from Crosby, and am among those with elementary school age kids that play on Crosby. I aggressively approached Chief Ross at the end of April to get a stop sign or traffic control device installed on Crosby, so I was happy to hear it get recommended.
Hopefully, your bringing some media attention to the issue will help push the issue through council so something gets installed before one of our kids gets hurt in an accident this summer.
Seth D.
4:03 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
My home is in this picture. Cars do move pretty quickly when they stay straight or make a right off of HIllsdale. I am also concerned with the people that are walking their dogs and not cleaning the mess off the sidewalk in front of my house. Pretty simple to carry a plastic bag, when you are taking your pets out for a walk.
Lisaann Mascellino
4:50 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Good grief- I have asked the police to look at Dwight many times! Between a park and the stadium, one would think it would be a street that we need to place speed control as a concern. I live near the top of the hill- it is the motor speedway!
Ed M
8:51 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
What would really help is enforcement.