Downtown traffic study results accepted

HARDWICK – A study looking at vehicular and pedestrian traffic in downtown Hardwick came to a close at the February 5 Hardwick Select Board meeting with the board’s acknowledgement that the public engagement process had come to a close. With that vote, the next step becomes a search for funding a design phase of the project to improve the flow of traffic, pedestrians and bicycles through the area.

The six-month Mill Street and Main Street Scoping Study began with the town’s engagement of VHB consultants who studied pedestrian and vehicular traffic from Vt. Rte. 15 near the former entrance of the Inn by the River, along Mill Street to its intersection with Glenside Avenue, to the intersection at the Hardwick Inn and along South Main Street, stopping before its intersection with Wolcott Street.

In that area, the study intended to create a safe, comfortable environment in the village core and establish a clear transition to the area where motorized vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles coexist, supporting access to community destinations including businesses and recreational resources.

VHB reported more than 80 residents, business owners and other stakeholders provided input through three public meetings, discussion and other feedback. That process included exploration of alternatives developed in response to community input, public review and several steps of refining alternatives.

“Based on that input, town staff and VHB consultants have consolidated the feedback into one final preferred alternative, rather than multiple competing options,” wrote VHB.

“This final version reflects the clear themes that emerged from the public process, including specific direction on issues residents felt strongly about, such as maintaining access on Summer Street and not pursuing its closure.”

That version, presented to the public at a final January 7 meeting in the Jeudevine Memorial Library’s Parker Ladd Community Room, was acknowledged by the select board, February 5.

The January 7 meeting allowed residents and others to look at conditions identified in Hardwick’s downtown core and see recommendations to create a safe and comfortable environment for pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles.

Deficiencies and needs identified in the study area were the lack of an effective transition zone from the high-speed Vt. Rte. 15 rural highway into village center, a lack of continuous sidewalks, no capacity to handle increased activity from the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) and issues caused by turning vehicles, missing or inadequate crosswalks and impaired stormwater drainage.

Estimates of the cost for implementing alternatives presented by VHB ranged from roughly $500,000 to $1,200,000 a comprehensive package of treatments that included work on roads, driveways, sidewalks and signage resulting in significantly improved traffic operations and safety.

Comments from the first two public meetings supported suggested sidewalk treatments, pedestrian crossings and gateway treatments as drivers enter town, but a possibility suggested to dead-end Sumner Street was not supported.

The community expressed a strong desire to not lose any more parking spots than necessary and increase their value.

Comprehensive treatments recommended at the village intersection where South Main Street meets Mill Street and Main Street, included pedestrian bump-outs to shorten the crosswalk distances, including a new crosswalk from the Hardwick Inn to the Village Laundramat.

Work to address ongoing drainage issues in front of the 9 South Main Street building, where The Clip Joint is located, were recommended.

Improved sidewalk markings across the entrance to Mike’s Service Center and the former location of Ricahrd Brochu’s garage were components of the proposed plan too.

Several accidents were identified as happening at the driveway entrance to the U.S. Post Office (USPS), which VHB suggested reconfiguring so that it is close to the USPS building, improving sight lines.   

In response to a question from select board Chair Erick Remick, the VHB consultant said USPS staff had responded favorably to the suggestion.

A long-term phased approach to improve the Glenside Avenue intersection, adding a sidewalk connection and proposed pedestrian path across Mill Street was favored.

Earlier comments from the public resulted in an exploration of crosswalk treatments, parking options and traffic calming measures, which were presented.

A radar speed feedback sign was proposed for the village entrance, prior to the Glenside Avenue intersection.