East Providence readies new red light camera speed control program

Revised ordinance requires contractors to repair disturbed roads, traffic relief coming to Mountain Ave. residents

By Mike Rego
Posted 5/7/21

EAST PROVIDENCE — Motorists be on alert, the city is near ready to implement its speed zone/red light cameras as a means of heightened traffic control on some of East Providence’s busiest …

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East Providence readies new red light camera speed control program

Revised ordinance requires contractors to repair disturbed roads, traffic relief coming to Mountain Ave. residents

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Motorists be on alert, the city is near ready to implement its speed zone/red light cameras as a means of heightened traffic control on some of East Providence’s busiest roads.

Director of Administration for Mayor Bob DaSilva, Napoleon Gonsalves, updated the City Council on the status of the program at a meeting of the body Tuesday night, May 4.

Mr. Gonsalves said the anticipated start date of the program, approved by the council in November 2020, is later in May or early June. Details of the program will be included in the May water bills received by residents.

The cameras are being placed near schools, which is allowable under state law, and are only operational for the duration of the academic term, Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

The city has contracted with Sensys Gatso Group for “red light enforcement services and automated speed cameras in school zones.” The process includes support from Verizon and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, as most of the locations for the apparatus are on state-owned roads.

The locations of the devices will be as follows:

School Zones — St. Mary Academy-Bay View, Kent Heights Elementary School, Riverside Middle School, St. Margaret School and East Providence High School

Red Light Cameras: Pawtucket Avenue at Warren Avenue, Pawtucket Avenue at Taunton Avenue, Broadway at Warren Avenue, Pawtucket Avenue at Veterans Memorial Parkway, Wampanoag Trail at Mink Street, North Broadway at Roger Williams Avenue, Highland Avenue at Catemore Boulevard, Taunton Avenue at Purchase Street and Broadway at Grovesnor Avenue.

City Solicitor Michael Marcello told council the program is governed by state law, including the need for clearly visible signage at least 100 feet upon approach of the devices and the schedule of fines.

Mr. Gonsalves said, again per state law, a 30-day warning period to motorists must be provided upon the activation of each device. He said the initial warning is a civil violation. After the 30-day period, a driver could be issued a traffic violation summons.

Road disturbances
Companies working on infrastructure projects in the city will now be required to return roadways to their previous condition at the very least after the council last week gave second and necessary approval to a revised ordinance for “Licenses And Business Regulations.”

“We have a situation where work is being done on our roads that are fairly newly paved and this will prevent contractors from just going out there and doing any time of work,” said Council President, Ward 1 member and lead sponsor Bob Britto.

The ordinance defines the type of work as “minor” and “major” disturbances of the surfaces. Permits issued will require roadways or sidewalks to be returned to their previous state, with the same materials.

It also gives the director of Public Works oversight of the need for a police detail, time of day work can performed and if notice to residents is required.

In addition, the ordinance reads “any funds derived from enforcement of this section shall be set aside for capital improvements to pedestrian or public transportation infrastructure throughout the city.”

Mountain Avenue traffic
Sponsored by Ward 3 Councilor Nate Cahoon, in whose district the street is situated, the council gave second and final approval to a revised traffic ordinance for Mountain Avenue.

The residential thruway, which sits between Pawtucket Avenue with Veterans Memorial Parkway, is one of three traversed often by motorists attempting to access both thoroughfares along with Crown Avenue and Armington Avenue.

Property owners previously urged the council to place restrictions on Mountain Avenue, which the body obliged by formally making it a “Do Not Enter-Local Traffic Only” road. Signs will be posted and police now are authorized to ticket motorist not complying to the mandate.

Drivers attempting to reach Pawtucket Avenue from the parkway henceforth will need to do so at the southbound stoplight where the two roads merge.

Pipeline construction
Another item of note for motorists is the ongoing construction of a pipeline connecting the Bristol County Water Authority supply with that of the city.

Department of Public Works Director Dan Borges updated the council on the project, which is being funded by the BCWA to give its customers an emergency supply if necessary in the future. East Providence residents are also expected to benefit from the line, likewise, under extreme necessity.

The pipeline joins at the BCWA main, which is already located in city off Pawtucket Avenue near the Silver Spring Golf Course, and connects to the Kent Heights facility.

To date, Mr. Borges said piping has been placed through Village Green North and to the former Citizens Bank call center. The director noted work has been hindered a bit as the contractor has been encountering a significant amount of ledge.

The project will shortly require work on Pawtucket Avenue the week of Monday, May 17, Mr. Borges adding all construction is expected to done at night after peak traffic times.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.