By Carol Britton Meyer

A report by an engineering firm hired by the town to monitor traffic along Beach Avenue between A and L streets recently recommended that portion of the road retain two-way traffic flow, observing that it “currently operates at low volume and speed.”

The BETA Group was tasked with evaluating a possible two-way to one-way conversion of Beach Avenue. Following a lengthy discussion, the select board voted this week to approve BETA’s recommendation from its August 28 report.

The police and fire departments earlier expressed an interest in changing this stretch of the street to one-way to enhance emergency access.

However, following a review of the BETA study, both departments were in agreement with other town staff to keep the road two-way, Town Manager Jennifer Constable said. She also thanked residents for their input during the process.

Before the vote, a resident living in the area suggested perhaps making Beach Avenue one-way during the summer months, but Merrick Turner of the BETA Group said doing so would make it difficult to manage “all of those side streets,” and that making such a change would most likely result in it becoming a permanent one.

BETA conducted a 72-hour traffic count between Thursday, July 11 and Sunday, July 14 during nice weather at two locations along Beach Avenue and determined that “the traffic volume along [that road] is low” – about 500 to 700 vehicles per day for the average weekday, with Saturday volumes slightly lower at 400 to 500 vehicles per day, and Sunday activity similar to weekday volumes, according to the report.

The 85th percentile speeds – the speed at or below which 85% of drivers travel along a portion of a road — were observed at 20 to 24 miles per hour.

Select board member Brian McCarthy remarked that he found the low volumes and speeds that were reported “surprising.”

BETA also monitored pedestrian activity and parking demand on Sunday, July 21, when the weather was warm and sunny.

“Most pedestrian activity is in an east-to-west direction (and vice versa) crossing Beach Avenue as residents walk to and from the beach,” the report states. “There is typically an entrance to the beach at the end of each of the intersecting alphabet streets, and therefore multiple crossing points. Pedestrian crossing activity appears to peak around mid-day, and up to approximately 50 to 60 pedestrians were observed crossing at various points along Beach Avenue over a 20-minute time period.”

About five bicyclists were observed along Beach Avenue over a 30-minute mid-day period.

BETA also reported that parking along abutter frontage was observed to be minimal, with most parking occurring within the road, with vehicles stopping to unload people visiting the beach.

Although the road is narrow, with a drivable width of about 20 feet, “the low volumes and low speeds along the roadway appear to allow for a safe interaction between the various users,” according to the report.

Concerns expressed by residents at the meeting related in part to cars that park on the intermittent sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk in the street, and a request to install crosswalks where feasible.

BETA staff met with town officials on August 20 to discuss general operations and adjustments that could be made.

The following observations resulted:

⦁ According to the Hull Police Department, Beach Avenue was originally a wider street, but encroachment of the dunes has over time reduced its width. DPW officials noted that other than maintenance operations limited to pushing back encroaching sand by approximately 18 inches, reclaiming the original road width is not permitted.

⦁ Traffic volumes were not expected to be an issue if conversion to one-way were to take place. However, BETA noted that one-way operations could create issues related to accommodating all users and could lead to increased vehicle speeds and “confusion and conflict with bicycle users, who would likely desire to use the roadway in both directions.”

⦁ Installation of a sidewalk and the striping of crosswalks across Beach Avenue at the end of each of the alphabet streets were also considered. Installing a sidewalk on one side of the street is estimated at $350,000, however, not including drainage relocations, and could require modification to one-way operation. Striping about 10 crosswalks would require signage at each one.

⦁ Striping the 20-foot shoulders on either side was deemed impractical since the resulting street would be two narrow for two-way traffic.

⦁ Creating seasonal landing areas at beach entrances using barrels or stanchions to create an obstacle for approaching traffic also was discussed. However, the police department expressed concern about nighttime operations related to “any device encroaching into the roadway” and that they might need to be lit.

In its recommendation that the road remain two-way, BETA noted that any modification would have operational impacts, “which may create more negatives than positives to the general convenience, safety, and use of Beach Avenue and may be less desirable to the community. As such, maintaining existing conditions appears to be a reasonable alternative.”

BETA also suggested continued education for the community, including the periodic use of “dynamic signage” such as sign boards to emphasize the need for “slow operation and caution” along Beach Avenue, and evaluating the feasibility of placement of permanent signs.

Another suggestion offered by BETA is the possibility of improving the sight lines at the dune entrances where needed.

BETA also presented the possibility of rebuilding Beach Avenue from Revere Street to Lewis Street at the town’s expense, since such a project would likely not qualify for funding under the state Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP. Estimates range from $420,000 to $580,000, depending on which option is selected. The repairs would be expected to last for between 10 to 15 years, according to BETA engineers.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.