Speed Tables Approved for Chestnut Street in North Reading

Due to a problem with truck traffic, residents on Chestnut and New streets submitted a  in July 2010, and the Board of Selectmen approved a solution for the issue Monday night. Four speed tables were approved and will be installed on Chestnut Street.

or speed tables were a solution that Chief of  Mike Murphy suggested and residents support.  (DPW) Director Dick Carnevale said that the total cost for the speed tables would be $20,450.

That cost breaks down to $15,000 for contract labor, equipment and materials; $2,250 for 15 warning signs; $500 for paint lines; and $2,400 for 48 hours of police detail. The road will remain open during the installation.

Selectman Steve O'Leary suggested that a fourth speed table would be necessary.

"If we are going to do it, we should make an attempt to do it right,” O'Leary said.

The fourth speed table should raise the cost approximately $5,000, Carnevale said.  

Every member of the board was in favor of the speed tables, however some still had concerns.

"Empty trucks that hit these things may cause more noise than you anticipate. Young drivers might use them as a mogul late at night," Selectman Jeff Yull said.

Portable speed humps were discussed at the meeting, but dismissed. According to O'Leary, those are designed for parking lots.

The Board of Selectmen approved that the DPW proceed with installing four speed tables on Chestnut Street at a cost of no more than $25,000.

The traffic study is good for the rest of the year, therefore the board's plan is to revisit the truck exclusion idea in September or October if the speed tables do not solve the issue.