On June 22, the city of Carroll deactivated two stop lights along the highway 30 corridor, at the intersections with Adams and Court Streets, as one part of a multi-phase study. The study was approved by city leaders to determine whether those traffic signals should be deactivated permanently to address one of the most often-heard complaints about driving in Carroll—the number of stops at lights throughout town. Those signals have been covered and silent for the 90-day evaluation and public comment period now and Director of Public Works, Randy Krauel, says that they have received only a handful of complaints. Those 30 complaints, however, are split right down the middle with 15 for removing the lights and 15 for keeping them. At last night’s (Monday) City Council meeting, a voice representing many of the downtown business owners, Steve Blackburn of Browns Shoe Fit, said he and his peers have been hearing one major complaint throughout this process.
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Blackburn adds he is aware the intersection at Adams Street had been analyzed in 2005 and 2015, and pedestrian safety was not met, but it is not just the results on a piece of paper that matter most.
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Blackburn told the council about his retail experiences in four other communities and how the traffic issues he has seen have had a negative impact on those central shopping districts. He said he does not want to see the same thing happen in Carroll, a town of roughly 10,000 that has an incredible shopping area right in the heart of the community.
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There is still time to submit comments to city hall about the signal lights before the results will be turned over to council members for discussion and a decision. The comment period will remain open until Tuesday, Oct. 4, and the first council discussion is expected to be included on the agenda for the Monday, Oct. 10 meeting.