"No Left Turn" Left on Table

There were two very different lines of thought present.

The Bedford Town Council, Wednesday night, held a public hearing on a proposed "No Left Turn" ordinance at the intersection of Olde Bedford Way and Route 101, near the Bedford Village Inn (BVI).

On one side, members of the Bedford Highway Safety Committee, including Bedford Police Chief John Bryfonski, spoke in support of the need for the restriction, citing, specifically, the large amount of accidents in the area.

On the other side, detractors, including BVI proprietor Jack Carnevale, pleaded with the the Bedford Town Council to oppose the recommendation.

And following a spirited discussion on the issue, Bedford Town Councilors agreed to table the issue and explore possible alternatives such as advisory signs at the Bedford Village Inn exit encouraging guests to use the traffic light on Constitution Drive to enter Route 101.

Prior to reaching that decision, councilors heard plenty of discussion on the need, or lack there of, for the ordinance.

Bryfonski explained that while there have been no reported accidents at the intersection in question, there have been 35 in the general vicinity and stressed the need for a proactive approach before a serious accident occurs.

"The perspective of the committee is that this is a preventative measure to reduce potential problems with traffic at that intersection ... people are often trying to get through or blowing light at Constitution (Drive), and we've seen a lot of accidents in that area, and we've also been provided with anecdotal evidence such as people witnessing near-misses at intersection."

Carnevale, however, said that the initiative may be addressing an issue that doesn't exist.

"I've never seen a problem. I've never had a problem, and if this ordinance is passed and it's going to be restrictive to my guests and have a negative impact on my business, then I oppose it," said Carnevale. "I'm proud to say I have a great reputation. I have guests who have been coming for 25 years. They love the business and come year after year. I'm proud of the Bedford Village Inn. We've put our heart and soul into this family run business, and it's a passionate business, and I certainly don't want to have to tell someone, after they've enjoyed a great experience at the Bedford Village Inn, that they can't do something, that they can't go left."

While Carnevale's primary focus was on the convenience of his guests, several residents, including Dennis Grimes, said there are more dangerous intersections that should be addressed first.

"There's no major problem on that road," Grimes told Bedford Patch. "I'm more concerned with the intersection at Bedford Center Road where the breakdown lane is too small and a lot of rear-end collision happen."

Another local, Jim Burnard, agreed. Though he said he originally thought the proposition was "ludicrous," and still thinks there are other intersections in greater need of attention, he said he was willing to open his mind to the idea in light of data supported by Bryfonski.

The Chief of Police did acknowledge that Bedford Center Road and other similar intersections have, in fact, had several reported motor vehicle crashes, though he cited the law of averages based on the greater amount of traffic flowing through those other intersections as an explanation as to why Olde Bedford Way hasn't experienced similar problems.

Bedford Town Manager Jessie Levine agreed that other intersections do, indeed, present problems, but pointed out that Olde Bedford Way has the luxury of an alternate outlet on Constitution Drive, which is already set up to handle increased traffic.

Town Councilor Bill Dermody, who also serves on the Bedford Highway Safety Committee, said he didn't see the inconvenience of taking the extra minute or two to enter Route 101 from Constitution Drive, and noted that the idea for the ordinance dates back to Bryfonski's predecessor, David Bailey, who pushed the idea when Wallace Road was under construction and changing the level of traffic coming out many of the other Route 101 intersections. He did, however, point out that the planned widening of Route 101 may solve the problem.

After several options were discussed, including partnering with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to study the issue, at a manpower cost to the town of Bedford, the council decided the best course, before voting one way or the other, is to first allow Carnevale and company to explore less drastic options that could reduce the concern.