City Faces Staunch Opposition to Blackstone Boulevard Speed Bump Proposal

City Faces Staunch Opposition to Blackstone Boulevard Speed Bump Proposal

Opponents to the City of Providence's proposal for "traffic calming" measures on Blackstone Boulevard, which include raised crosswalks and speed bumps on the East Side artery -- far outnumbered -- and outshouted supporters at a community forum at Nathan Bishop on Monday night. 

Nate Urso, who is in traffic planning with the City of Providence, gave a roughly thirty minute presentation of the analysis done by the city, and was often interrupted by the jeers and shouts in the crowd, who questioned the research, and need, for such a project.  

"I'm quite frankly embarrassed," said Kira Wiedener Greene, of the fact that the city had already spent time and money researching the issue to date, given the vocal opposition present on Monday night.  "What a waste of taxpayer money."

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Urso acknowledged to the crowd assembled that the actual project would most likely cost several hundred thousand dollars, which was met by angry reaction by residents at the meeting who said they didn't believe such measures are necessary.

The plan for traffice calming has been championed by Blackstone Boulevard resident Tim Murphy, who addressed the crowd midway through the meeting. 

"The barrier that's [the] least impediment to traffic flow is raised sidewalks," said Murphy. "I think we have a real [speeding] problem."

Following that statement, shouts and jeers in the crowd cut Murphy off from speaking further .

Points of Contention

Residents who spoke up on Monday offered a number of reasons why they did not think the traffic smoothing plan as put forth is necessary, from cost, to lack of public input, to questions about how the data was compiled and presented, to the historic character of the Boulevard being compromised. 

"Put cops out there and hand out a lot of tickets," said East Side resident Mark Binder.  

Urso responded by saying that there are only 26 police on duty "at any time" and that the issue of enforecement "is spotty."

Realtor Chris Wall, who ran for State Senate last election, questioned Urso's continued defense of the plan in light of the majority of the crowd's position. 

"Why he is pushing for this proposal?  This is supposed to be a listening forum, and he's clearly biased," said Wall.  

A representative from Swan Point Cemetery (in the video above) made the case that funeral processions that utilize the Boulevard would both be impacted -- and affect traffic: 

"I think it's a tragedy you feel you could even make this proposal," said resident Arona Murphy, to another round of applause.

"No one, not even Timmy Murphy voted for this proposal -- his proposal -- although he gave mild verbal support for lessening what he felt was a speeding problem," said Arthur Norman, following the meeting. "Ten to twelve voted for more information and the remaining hundred and fifty-ish people voted, no, no, no."

"After the vote, I asked Nate Urso what he would do tomorrow and he seemed to say he would seek more public input," said Norman. "I guess that's what they do."