Warsaw Traffic Commission Denies Request For An All-Way Stop Sign At Intersection Of Pope And Detroit
WARSAW — The Warsaw Traffic Commission decided not to implement an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Pope Street and Detroit Street during their meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 4.
Citizen Dennis Broderick submitted a request to the commission, asking them to consider putting an all-way stop sign at intersection of Pope and Detroit.
In his request, Broderick stated, “All traffic stopping would make all turns easier and improve the flow of turning traffic, particularly during heavy traffic periods. Because all traffic would stop, westbound traffic could pull up farther and see around vehicles parked at Warsaw Cut Glass.”
Currently, only traffic coming out of Pope Street has a stop sign at the intersection.
During the meeting, the commission looked over the criteria for an application for a multi-way stop application. It was mentioned that according to data studies, the intersection does not get enough traffic, and not enough crashes have occurred at the intersection to warrant an all-way stop sign.
Broderick also mentioned in his request that he was concerned that it is dangerous for the railroad crossing on Pope to be without a gate when so much traffic is turning onto that street from Detroit.
Mayor Joe Thallemer indicated the city will be implementing a gate at that railroad crossing and several other crossings in Warsaw before the end of the year.
The commission discussed various ways to solve the issue with the intersection, such as putting in a stop stop at the intersection of Prairie and Detroit as to alleviate some of the traffic that can pile up at the intersection. The commission was concerned putting an all-way stop sign would cause problems at nearby intersections and could also detour individuals to using other roads.
Warsaw Police Department Lt. Kip Shuter ended the conversation by saying “At this point I don’t think we’re warranted for an all-way stop.”
The commission unanimously accepted a motion to deny the request, rather they will look into the intersection of Prairie and Detroit to see it anything could be done that might improve the traffic situation at Pope and Detroit.
A manager at Mutual Bank on Lake Street requested about a year ago to have the commission to look at parking on Lake Street. The manager referenced the fact that there were several angled parking spaces on Lake Street that obstruct the visibility of patrons coming out of the bank’s parking lot.
The commission had originally dealt with the issue by removing one of the parking spaces, however, visibility continued to be an issue.
The commission discussed whether they should change the angled parking to parallel, or do a combination of two to three angled spaces and one parallel spot.
City Planner Jeremy Skinner indicated he thought there were other areas in the city that individuals struggle with visibility as they are pulling out of parking lots or alleys. He advised that patrons look carefully as they pull out of the bank. Skinner stated, “I think you need to be cautious and realize this is the nature of the city.”
It was mentioned that no accidents have occurred at that location.
The commission considered whether changing parking in front of what is the old First Source Bank across the street from two-hour parking to unlimited parking to help alleviate some of the parking by Mutual Bank.
Skinner mentioned they should hold off on any decisions about making parking unlimited in front of the old First Source Bank as he believed the building had just been purchased. He indicated he was unsure of who had purchased the building but would look into talking with the owner.
The two items were tabled so that the commission could find more information about parking from the owner of the old First Source Bank.
Other News:
- Skinner was sworn in as a Warsaw Traffic Safety Commissioner.
- The commissioners unanimously approved reappointing Steve Foster as the traffic commission secretary for 2017.