East Dunkirk Fire voices concerns with passing zone
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The East Town of Dunkirk Fire Department is responsible for the safety of a large portion of the town's residents. It doesn't seem right that the road immediately in front of the department's fire house is one of the most dangerous stretches in the town.
The department sent a letter to the Town of Dunkirk and to Chautauqua County calling for the elimination of a passing zone located on South Roberts Road, between Franklin Avenue, New Road, and Greenhurst Avenue.
The department expressed concern with vehicles using the stretch of road as a passing zone. The area in question has no middle lane or designated turning lanes onto Franklin Avenue, New Road, or Greenhurst Avenue. Motorists are often traveling at a high speed along South Roberts Road, despite the speed limit posted at 40 mph. The department said the area poses "the potential for a serious collision when turning or entering traffic."
The concern is heightened by the presence of the fire hall, as the stretch of road is located right in front of the fire house. Fire trucks exit the fire house garage directly onto South Roberts Road. "A motorist actively passing another vehicle near the station may have limited time to react to the emergency apparatus entering the roadway, creating a safety risk for our firefighters, as well as the motorist," the department said in its letter. The department also highlighted that a collision of this kind would also delay or prevent the department's personnel from responding to the emergency call that prompted the response.
The department acknowledged the road is not the Town's responsibility, as it is a County road. The department requests a traffic and safety review of the area in question in the interest of public safety.
"Our goal is to identify and address a potential hazard before a serious accident occurs," the department stated.
The department responded to 35 incidents in the month of July. "These people are volunteers doing a wonderful service to us," Town of Dunkirk Supervisor Shari Miller said. "I don't understand why that's a passing zone there."
Unfortunately, judging by the many incidents at the bridges in the town and city of Dunkirk in recent months, changing the signs and markings on the road might not make much of a difference to drivers in the area.
Even with electric signs posted in front of the Willow Road bridge deterring semi trucks and RVs from attempting to pass through, Town Board member Phil Leone is aware of two recent incidents where the bridge was struck. He also noted many other incidents where vehicles held up traffic by turning around or backing up after realizing they would not make it under the clearly marked 10-foot clearance.
The issues have been intensified by the detour around the Canadaway Creek Bridge on Route 5, which is currently being replaced. The closure began in May and is expected until approximately Labor Day, according to the latest update from the State Department of Transportation.
"People don't think anymore when they're driving for some reason," Miller said.