New traffic devices aim to slow Albany speeders
Pilot program for neighborhoods to begin this month
Speeders in two Albany neighborhoods will soon get a notable nudge about going too fast.
City officials said they are starting a pilot program at the end of June on some streets in the West Hill and South End neighborhoods.
Police Chief Eric Hawkins, Fifth Ward Councilman Jahmel Robinson and First Ward Councilwoman Sonia Frederick on Friday joined Mayor Kathy Sheehan in announcing the program kickoff.
“I’m excited about it, the community is excited about it, and it brings a sense of relief that something is being done to address it,” Robinson said.
“There have been a lot of complaints that I’ve heard throughout the years with community members upset with the amount of speeding that occurs on those particular stretches of street, so the pilot program is a way that we can begin to slow down the traffic on those corridors.”
Sheehan’s budget set aside $250,000 in 2022 for the program, backed by council members whose neighborhoods will directly benefit.
Frederick’s 5th Ward area is Mount Hope Drive within the South End neighborhood.
“The community has been asking for this for years, particularly in my ward on Mount Hope Drive due to the speeding, especially the hill that they’re on,” Frederick said.
Robinson also expressed concern that community members fear for the safety of their children.
“Parents don’t let their kids play in front of the house because they’re afraid that something might happen with a speeding car,” Robinson said.
Frederick also said signs that said “Please Slow Down” and “Watch Out for Children” were put up in the neighborhood as a way to decrease speeding, but were ineffective.
“This will hopefully be a
longer-lasting solution to help reduce the speed in a very residential place,” Frederick said. “We’re hoping it reduces speed and ultimately helps the residential neighborhoods.”
Frederick also the speed humps that will be part of the pilot program are not the same as speed bumps.
Speed bumps are more abrupt and higher in elevation and can damage a vehicle when unheeded, whereas speed humps have lower elevation and do not damage vehicles.
“We’re hopeful that it’s going to be a great success,” Frederick said. “We’re extremely looking forward to it, especially the Mount Hope neighborhood is very happy to see this happening.”