Some of you may have noticed that “islands” have been painted on Newport Ave with yellow paint.  These “islands” have been discussed at length over the last few months as a part of a years-long process to slow speeding on Newport Ave.  The process has included multiple meetings with the city’s Transportation Engineer and the Talbot Park and Wards Corner civic leagues.

One of the results of the discussions was that the residents who live near and along Newport Ave did not want the yellow “islands” because they are unsightly for a residential area and were, according to the city, unproven solutions.

Unfortunately, the City of Norfolk mistakenly painted the yellow “islands” earlier this week proving our worst fears.  The “islands” are indeed unsightly and, based on our objective standard of standing and watching the traffic, failed to slow the traffic at all.  Most drivers drive right over the “islands” as if they are not there.

The City has admitted that the installation of the islands was a mistake and has agreed to remove them.  Further, a representative from the City Managers office has agreed, pending Council approval, to do the following:

• Removing the yellow “islands” that were mistakenly placed this week
• Install 4 way stop signs at North Shore Road and Talbot Hall Road
• Install 3 way stop signs at Kingsley and Newport Ave
• Install “Children at Play” and “New Traffic Pattern” signs
• Possibly install stop signs at the Warren Street intersection
• Further study and find a solution to make the Granby Elementary crosswalk safer
• Set a long term goal of installing landscaped medians along Newport Ave

A special thanks to the City Managers office for agreeing to move forward on these issues.