NORTH SMITHFIELD – The North Smithfield Town Council is asking the state to make a section of Route 7 a no-passing zone due to the dangerous nature of traffic in the area.
Town Councilor John Beauregard said at an Aug. 3 meeting that he would like to see the half-mile stretch from Mattity Road to Rankin Path be designated officially as a no-passing zone.
Beauregard said signage prohibiting people from passing contradicts the striping on the road along this long straightaway.
Ideally, said Beauregard, he would like to see all of Route 7 be made a no-passing zone, but, he said, let’s take care of this problem first. He said it’s easy to go fast on this road.
The council ultimately made the unanimous motion to ask the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to consider a no-passing zone for the area.
The situation is especially dangerous, said Beauregard, for residents who try to pull out onto the road thinking that the way is clear, only to find a driver suddenly in their lane.
Councilor Rebecca DeCristofaro said Route 7 needs a lot more help than just this change. Speeding is rampant, she said, and there are huge trucks constantly on the roadway, causing frequent passing by drivers of passenger vehicles.
DeCristofaro said she had a conversation with the regional director of the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, and learned that there are congressional bills being considered that would increase the weight tractor trailer trucks carry on the highway. Add that potential outcome to a possible return of truck tolls in Rhode Island, where more drivers would use Route 7 to avoid the highway, and potential disaster is in store, said the councilor.
“This road needs a lot of help,” said DeCristofaro, especially if communities don’t get ahead of changes allowing larger trucks.
She described being in the area and hearing constant loud use of Jake Brakes from a mile away.
“It’s distressing,” said DeCristofaro of the noise, and officials should take steps now, working with RIDOT, to make Route 7 as safe as possible, especially if truck tolls are coming back. This is a unique road with a lot of large trucks, she said, and no one should be passing.
