Barrington official orders improvements at bike path intersections

Manager: 'I'm not willing to wait' for DOT

Posted 8/7/18

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha did not want to wait. 

The town's top official ordered brush clearing and tree trimming near Barrington roads that intersect with the East Bay Bike Path, …

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Barrington official orders improvements at bike path intersections

Manager: 'I'm not willing to wait' for DOT

Posted

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha did not want to wait. 

The town's top official ordered brush clearing and tree trimming near Barrington roads that intersect with the East Bay Bike Path, following a fatal accident in Bristol late last month. A car struck and killed a young boy while he was riding his bicycle near the intersection of the bike path and Poppasquash Road in Bristol on Tuesday, July 24. 

The tragic accident has prompted a review of the bike path by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, but results from that study are not expected for weeks.

Mr. Cunha said late last week that he had already met with Barrington Department of Public Works Director Alan Corvi and Police Chief John LaCross, and decided to have DPW crews clear brush and other vegetation away from roads where they intersect with the bike path.

"I'm not willing to wait," said Mr. Cunha. 

"We can't afford to have a tragedy like the one they had in Bristol."

Chief LaCross had some of his officers examine the Barrington section of the bike path; the officers identified intersections that could prove dangerous because of overgrown vegetation that impedes the view of approaching motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Mr. Corvi then had work crews stop by the intersections and trim back the bushes and trees.

"We just tried to make them a little more visible," said Mr. Corvi. "We're erring on the side of caution."

The improvements impacted a number of intersections including North Lake Drive, Bay Spring Avenue, Alfred Drown, Sowams Road and West Street. The work was finished last week. 

The town manager said he also purchased eight crosswalk signs, which will be placed in the intersections, alerting motorists to the bike path crossings. 

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