To the editor:

On April 9, 2022, I was returning home to the Roberta Plat after a doctor’s appointment in Warren.  I am not usually driving during the day as I work full-time. After dropping some letters off at the Barrington Post Office, I headed towards Lincoln Avenue. I noted parked cars packed the side of the road next to the school and beyond. It was obvious that the school would be letting its students out soon.

I made a left turn at the traffic light onto Lincoln Avenue and went nowhere. After sitting there for an undetermined amount of time, I decided to take a picture of the traffic situation. That photo is below. According to my cell phone, the image was taken at 3:14 PM.

As you can see in the photo, the oncoming traffic was stopped and backed up. You can also see that there are cars backed up on the Middle School grounds as well. 

I have no idea how long the traffic did not move, but about five minutes after I took the above photo, a woman pulled her car out of the line of traffic that I was in, turned around, and headed back towards the light at the intersection of Middle Highway and Lincoln Avenue.

That is when it occurred to me that it would be extremely difficult for emergency vehicles to get through this traffic congestion, which is the purpose of my letter. I am respectfully asking that a study be made to determine if something can be done to eliminate this potentially dangerous situation.  There are residents in this area that include the elderly, sick, and disabled. An accident or fire can occur to anyone. “It’s just a few minutes” can mean life or death when it comes to needed emergency services.

I am requesting that a study be made of the Middle School/Lincoln Avenue situation. I am also requesting that the study be made for at least two weeks, to consider traffic variations due to weather, for both the morning and afternoon school times when children will be arriving and departing the school. Please also note that parents of BMS students utilize the Roberta plat to drop off and pick up their children at the back entrance of the school’s grounds. If a study is done, it should include the traffic in the Robert Plat next to the school are well.

It strikes me as extremely “privileged” that parents feel compelled to personally transport their kids to and from the Middle School when we already have an available safety alternative in place – school buses – for which Barrington taxpayers are paying. Is it possible that the Lincoln Avenue entrance to the Middle School be closed and not available to traffic at these times?  

Since Middle Highway is a state road, I am forwarding this letter to the State of Rhode Island as well. I do not know if Rhode Island has any responsibility for traffic congestion next to the school, but I feel that the State should be aware of the situation.  

Sincerely, 

Marcia M. Weeden

Barrington