Milton committee recommends one-way streets

A Milton committee is recommending new traffic patterns in town. The town’s streets, sidewalks and parks committee unanimously recommended Aug. 20 that Hazzard Lane and Sand, Manship and Clifton streets all become one-way streets. 

The committee also recommended that Poplar and Church streets remain one-way but allow parking on both streets. The measures are expected to be taken up by town council Monday, Sept. 9.

Committee Chairman Emory West said the one-way street designations are designed to improve safety. Hazzard Lane and Sand and Manship streets are all narrow roadways linking the main arteries of Federal and Chestnut streets. 

Public Works Supervisor Greg Wingo said these streets are all about 20 feet wide, less than the 28 feet recommended in town code for two-way streets. 

The committee’s recommendation would create a grid-like pattern in the area near Dogfish Head Brewery, with one-way streets alternating in direction. Hazzard Lane and Church and Poplar streets would go from Federal to Chestnut. Manship and Sand streets would go from Chestnut to Federal. Residents along these streets attended the committee’s Aug. 20 meeting, and raised concerns about people speeding through the area. Wingo said once all the streets are marked off, he would recommend Milton Police Department step up patrols. 

West had wanted to recommend making Poplar and Church streets, which are wider than the others, into two-way streets with no parking. But residents opposed this idea, instead preferring to keep the streets one-way with parking. West acquiesced but put in the recommendation, which passed unanimously, that cars must park along the sidewalks to keep cars off people’s lawns. 

The other street involved, Clifton Street, is on the other side of town, connecting Union and Mulberry streets. Clifton Street would be one-way from Union Street to Mulberry Street.