Intersection will be four-way stop

Pedestrians and close- by tenants say the intersection of South Pine Street and West Hood Avenue is regularly the scene of near misses.

Photo by Bill Bartlett

The intersection of Hood Avenue and Pine Street is problematic. The City of Sisters is taking action to correct the problem.

Though only two recorded accidents in five years have occurred, locals in the adjacent area, and nearly all businesses, have warned that it was only a matter of time until there would be serious injury. The present arrangement - a two-way stop - regulates east and westbound traffic on Hood Avenue.

The issue has been brought to the attention of the City's Public Works Department on more than one occasion. Sensing a real concern, the City ordered an updated traffic study from Transit Consulting LLC.

At its regular meeting, September 10, The Public Works Advisory Board received the 19-page consultant's study complete with tables and photos. Joseph Bessman, Transport's professional engineer concluded: "Additional review (including field observation) was conducted to inform this assessment. As summarized in this memorandum, it is recommended that the City convert the intersection to all-way stop control, which is supported by the optional warrant criteria within the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."

During Bessman's field observations September 3, he witnessed a near-miss.

To the average citizen it appears as a relatively straightforward and inexpensive proposition to fix the intersection. But as Billy Kelly, chair of the advisory board explains, "There are occluded sight lines from on-street parking and adjacent buildings. Plus, there is a potentially problematic designated left turn lane as eastbound Hood traffic approaches Pine."

Bessman noted, "One solution is to align the travel lanes by removing the separate left-turn lane on the west leg and shifting the lane transition west of the intersection. This would reduce the capacity on the eastbound approach minimally, allowing the intersection to continue to operate well within acceptable standards.

"This would also help to push the eastbound lane north away from the adjacent building, improving the available sight lines."

Kelly hopes the work can be completed within a few months. Its cost is around $20,000 given the scope of work which includes elimination of at least one parking position and lane realignment.

Kelly said while there is concern for vehicle collisions, the Board worried most about injury to pedestrians, as this is a heavily trafficked path, particularly for events such as the monthly Fourth Friday Art Walks. Several galleries are within 50 to 150 feet of the intersection.