The State Traffic Commission recently approved a series of safety upgrades for one Barrington road.

According to a press release from the Barrington Police Department, the State Traffic Commission has approved lower speed limits for portions of Washington Road. 

In April, the STC unanimously approved lowering the speed limit from 35 miles per hour to 30 mph on Washington Road from the intersection with Nayatt Road to First Street. 

In addition, the speed limit will be set at 25 mph on Washington Road from First Street to County Road, except in the St. Luke’s School zone, which will be set at 20 miles per hour. 

The state has also agreed to improve the signs at a crosswalk near the intersection of Washington Road and Lincoln Avenue. 

Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia said that while the State Traffic Commission approved the changes, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation has not yet completed the work order. 

The changes stem, in part, from an incident that occurred last November. According to the press release, an 11-year-old Barrington boy was riding his bike to Barrington Middle School on Nov. 15 and was struck by a car while trying to cross Washington Road at the Lincoln Avenue crosswalk. Police said the boy was not injured. The boy’s parents sent an email to town and state officials expressing their concern with the “… extremely, dangerous situation”. Police said the parents requested improves signs aimed at “a safer crossing at Washington and Lincoln” as well as “a review of the 35 mph speed limit on Washington”.

The DOT requested the State Traffic Commission take a closer look at the situation. Later, officials from the Barrington Police Department and town government offered additional recommendations to the state. 

On April 3, the Commission met and approved the recommendations.