Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-23 Mineral Street Bridge Task Force MinutesTO: MINERAL STREET TASK FORCE FROM:, GLADYS CAIL, PRESIDENT TANNERVILLE CLUB. DATE: MARCH 24, 1994 RE: OPENING OF MINERAL STREET BRIDGE Please record this as a vote in favor of the Mineral Street bridge being reopened for all traffic. In speaking with the people here at Tannerville, we feel that the opening of this bridge would be beneficial. Personally, I have lived in the Reading Highlands area for about 50 years. I believe that the opening of this bridge would be beneficial to the residents here. I suggst: - open for all traffic - be secure enough to allow emergency vehicle (fire/ambulance) to use the bridge - provide a sidewalk for pedestrian use The residents of this community would be better served if this bridge was open, especially for emergency vehicles. F MINERAL STREET BRIDGE TASK FORCE MEETING The q'ting of Mtit ch 23, 1994 was convened at 7:40 p.m. in the meeting room of the Reading Fire Station. All members were present. Observers were Leslie Haley, Charles Smith, T. Baillie, N. Durham, P. Letourneau, Kevin Keohan, Mary Ellen O'Shea, Mary Mehringer,and T. Stohlman., and Peg Plansky. The scheduled guests were Police Chief Marchand, Town Assessor Dave Billard and Bill Robertson, Town Engineer. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the March 16, 1994 meeting were reviewed and revised- Per Mr. Guarciariello, on Page 2, Cut Through Traffic add-In Jonathan's professional opinion he didn't.believe any cut through traffic with a no build condition of In-wood Park.If they did build we could have some cut through traffic. Page 1- Town Engineer, Per Mrs Herrick- fortress-like add having an eight foot wall along 93 Vine St. and a four to five foot wall along 99 Vine St. Page 3 Third paragraph- able to frame. Page 3 first paragraph, per Mr. Goodrich delete the last sentence, Money....... favorable. Page 2-Master Plan neighbor- hood safety. The revised minutes were approved 9-0-0. Police Chief I come to meetings with information from my department, no one in town government tells us what should be said at meetings. I've been on the department for thirty-three years. There are no records of accidents prior to 1981, unless they are fatal. Personally, I don't recall any accident on the bridge. There are a lot more cars all over town, and speed is the number one problem, on all of the streets. He doesn't see people from North Reading and Wilmington would use the bridge. Everyone in town wants one-way streets and dead ends. Mr. Goodrich asked, Is the current profile a problem in visibility on the Bridge? The Chief said the north side of the bridge (Vine( St) is important, because the houses are very close. Perhaps, a flashing light could be installed. There are stop signs now on both sides of Vine. The Engineering Department handles the lights. Mrs Wood asked if we put school crossing guards at Vine and Mineral what is the cost? The Chief replied that we have seventeen guards now at a cost of $50,000. Mrs Durham asked for guards at Mineral and Summer Avenue. He responded by saying there are many places we could use more crossing guards if we could get them. Mr. Slezak is concerned that Vine Street is very narrow, seventeen feet, with no sidewalks. The Chief said there are numerous streets in town like that. The Town Manager is trying to put in sidewalks in all school areas. The Police Department is currently recording all sidewalks intown, and the condition, concrete, hot top etc. Mrs Murphy said that we should put sidewalks in our proposal for the project. Mr.Hines said that Jonathan Edwards is working on a proposal for sidewalk funding. Mrs Wood asked the Chief if he thought that Summer Avenue would be 2 used more if the bridge were open? Yes, replied the Chief. She continued saying that Summer Avenue has been the scene of many accidents. Especially in the area of Woodbine Avenue is the worst area. Mr. Slezak asked the Chief if he thought in his professional opinion that life safety to that section of town has suffered in terms of response time? The Chief said,no, not a problem. He continued, by asking if the bridge was used as a launching ramp, when it was open? The Chief responded by saying, yes, just like they use Willow Street. i Mr. Guarciariello asked about response time. The Police Chief said that the police cars move quicker than the ambulance. There are at least two cars out at all times. It is only a matter of 2 to 3 minutes toa scene. We are first responders, and all of the police department are CPR certified. "Don't feel it is a big problem". He continued by asking about the railroad crossing gates. The Chief said that they are very easy for the cruiser to go around or through. Mr. Letourneau said he is concerned with children playing in the area with the bridge open. Mr. Smith said that there are twenty- five children on'Mineral Street, between Vine and High streets. Mr. Baillie spoke of the way the neighborhood has changed in the last 13 years that the bridge has been closed. There is a lack of sidewalks, steep grades and,public safety is a big issue. We shouldn't think of opening.the bridge because of free money. Mrs Herrick asked the Chief if the railroad tracks were the divider lines for the sectors? He said yes, and that there is always a car on each side. Peg Plansky- Reading Housing Authority There are 90 residents at Tannerville. A frail population. They are concerned with the drinking and noise under the bridge. They are fearful of not getting emergency care quickly. Many of the elderly walk across the tracks instead of the bridge. Mrs Gladys Cail is President of the Tannerville Club. Letters to the task force from Ms Plansky and Ms Cail were read into the record by Mr. Goodrich. Letters attached. Town Engineer- Bill Robertson There is no free bridge, the state wants it down and whatever Reading wants to put up they will do. It can be either a pedestrian only, or a vehicle/pedestrian bridge. They may be able to build at the same elevation. I am not a bridge engineer, and I have not been 3 able to reach anyone at District 4 all week. State Bridge Section are, Joe Gill 973-7570, Alex Bardo 973-7576. There may be environme The town has put in $25,000. per year for 10 Improvements Budget for a sidewalk program. there are 1.4 million dollars for sidewalks. The contacts at the and his assistant ntal problems. years in the Capital In federal funds Mr. Slezak asked what an 8% grade would do to Vine Street? Are there any width and height standards for bridges? Answer - call Joe Gill. Mr. Robertson said that the state wants to do what is right by the community. Show them the needs for whatever you want, justify your request with traffic studies and other information. Mr. Hines is to have the Town Manager write to the State, Mr. Gill, requesting the grades, height and standards of a new bridge. We all wished Mr.Robertson good luck in is new job, he will be missed. Mrs Herrick reported on her conversation with Jonathan Edwards, regarding the traffic:>: study done for Inwood Park. The study was done by Bruce Campbell for Inwood Park in 1987 and 1989 (2). They showed that the peak two hours of a.m. and p.m. traffic is 1600 cars. They estimate that 30% would go into Reading. From the east 10.3% or 160 cars per hour. 7% would use Lowell, Willow and West; and, 3.3% Woburn and Summer Ave and West. He feels that the problem would be if there was a back-up on Lowell Street, that it makes Middlesex Avenue attractive for the cut through, and, useing the bridge. A written report from the Fire Chief, which we requested, on the ambulance calls from King to Woodbine for 1993,was handed out to each committee member. Town Assessor He was not present, but sent a written report for each member. Please note that it is not dated. Next meetings agenda Review assessors report. Also McDonough and Scully.' Draft a. preliminary report to the Board of Selectmen for their meeting on April 5, 1994. Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 30, 1994, 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall in the Conference Room 4t~gL' St ~f9R~iC1St~~/! MFIMO To: Peter I HecnenbleikS'ier, Town Manager From: peg Plansky, Reading housing Authority Date: January 24, 1994. { ,Re: Rebuilding Mineral Street Bridge c r V l It is my understanding that the Town is contemplating the rebuildinq of the Mineral Street bridge. The current condition of the bridge as a pedestrian walkway encourages teenageri to use it as a hangout, creating many problems with drinking? noise and the disturbance of neighbors. The rebuilding of the bridge for vehicular' traffic would be beneficial to the Tanner Drive community because it would provide quicker and easier access to the development by emergency vehicles. This could bs critical in a quick-response emergency for our elderly tenants. The rebuilding of the bridge would also help to resolve the issue of the congregating teenagers/young adults as it would make it a more public xoadway and less accessib]e as a private hangtiut. We strongly support the rebuilding of the Mineral Street bridge; for vehicular trafiic as it would greatly improve the access to the Tonner Drive side) Iy complex and would also hinder the inappropriate use of this area as a hangout. Should you require any further information or wish to discuss this further, please feel free to call me. cc CPDC Town Planner ~i 22 Frank D. 'fanner Drive - reading, MA 01$67-2399 ~ 617-944-6755