Stop, in the name of the law. Starting at 7 a.m. Monday, traffic
heading in both directions on Jackson Avenue at Davis and Petrolia
streets will have to stop, as the intersection will now be a
four-way stop.

At Tuesday’s meeting of Bradford City Council, residents of the
area asked council for the second time in about three years to
consider putting a stop sign at the intersection – now more than
ever because of the increase in traffic from the U.S. Route 219
construction.

Ray Saunders, a resident of Jackson Avenue, said that despite a
claim by the city that no accidents have happened at that
intersection since the construction has begun, he’s seen some and
seen close calls.

“How do you justify a light or a stop sign? Why not take away
all the signs to Interstate and the traffic would really flow?
That, of course, is ridiculous, but no more so than leaving it the
way it is,” Saunders said. “Trying to get on Jackson Avenue is a
job right now and it is dangerous.”

He compared it to what the city faced with the intersection of
Davis and Boylston streets when Arvid Nelson was mayor. Nelson, who
was present at the meeting, had approved putting in stop signs to
take care of the problem.

Fred Smith, a resident of Sanford Street, said, “three years ago
it was bad. It’s a terrible situation now.

“In the winter time it’s really bad. You make a complete stop
(at the top of Davis Street) and you’re stuck,” he said.

Councilman Tom Riel said he also lives on Jackson Avenue and
knows of a couple of accidents that have happened at that
intersection.

“I urge council to vote in favor of this,” he said.

Main Street Manager Diane DeWalt also spoke up, saying she knows
a woman whose vehicle was broadsided at that intersection a few
weeks ago.

Councilman Bob Onuffer, who heads the streets department, said,
“I’m very concerned with all the traffic. Everything is all messed
up with all the construction.

“I don’t like using stop signs to slow down traffic,” he said.
“I’m concerned there are going to be some rear-end collisions
there. There’s not been an accident.”

Onuffer said he is concerned that out-of-town drivers rerouted
because of the construction will be caught unaware by the stop
signs, and may cause an accident.

“I want to make sure no one gets hurt,” he said.

Smith suggested putting in signs that warn a stop sign is ahead,
which might alleviate that problem.

The resolution on the agenda was to designate experimental
traffic regulations, beginning Monday, for no more than 90 days, to
put stop signs for both lanes of travel on Jackson Avenue.

When voting on the measure, Mayor Michele Corignani hesitated
for a moment before voting, and qualified her vote with a
statement.

There are two main traffic arteries to navigate the City of
Bradford, East Main Street and Jackson Avenue, and she expressed
her concern about the impact the stop signs might have.

“I will vote ‘yes’ since it’s on a trial basis,” she said. “If
we see an increase in any type of traffic hazard, council should
immediately reconsider.

“We’ll be paying very close attention to it,” she added,
explaining city officials will monitor the change.