Select Board seeks input on proposed new Station Avenue traffic signal

The Yarmouth Select Board is looking for more public input on the prospect of putting a stoplight at the intersection of Station Road and the new intermediate school.

"This is a significant traffic change," said Yarmouth DPW Director Jeff Colby at the Select Board meeting Tuesday. "It's important to get notice out to the public."

The existing entrance to Station Ave Elementary School is going to be closed off. There will be two entrances to the site of the two schools – one primary, next to the District Administration Building, and one secondary that is solely for incoming cars dropping off or picking up students. 

The proposed traffic signal for arriving and department busses and exiting cars would be located at the driveway in front of the new school, next to the District Administration Building.

“The vehicular flow is designed to separate the flow for school bus drop-off from car drop-off,” said representatives from PMA Consulting. The new driveway will have crosswalks and two exit lanes for traffic turning left and right onto Station Avenue.

“That is a huge car loop compared to what we have right now," said Supt. Carol Woodbury. "We will be able to get a lot of cars off the street.”

At the same time, Woodbury said, "we really don't have kids that walk to school, not the little ones." She suggested holding off on the $500,000 traffic signal expenditure or, at the discretion of Finance Director Ed Sentio, moving it to a capital stabilization fund, since much of the current traffic is due to COVID.

"We’ve never had this many people driving to school – ever," she said, adding that traffic has started to clear itself up this school year.

Board member Tracy Post said she wonders if another traffic light would make the existing traffic on Station Avenue even worse.

The board voted unanimously to extend the public comment period until the end of the month, consult with the police and fire departments, and continue a public hearing on the matter on Oct. 5. 

“We’re talking about spending a lot of money here. I think it’s worth spending this time,” said Chairman Mark Forest.

To submit public comment, please email: publiccomment@yarmouth.ma.us