After a month-long delay from the materials manufacturer, the City of Paris has received the stop signs needed for the implementation of the 90 day STOP, LOOK AND BE SAFE traffic study.
The 90-day study is being conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the City of Paris. To simulate an all-way stop condition, at each intersection crews will install two (2) stop signs, and in addition, the existing traffic signals being changed to flashing red. Crews will begin on Lamar and 8th Street around 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. The stop signs will remain in place through April 13, 2022.
The stop sign for motorists heading west to downtown will begin at the intersection of Lamar Avenue and 8th Street SE and continue to the 1st Street NW and Bonham Street intersection downtown. Stop signs for motorists going east to downtown will begin at the intersection of Grand Ave and 1st Street SW, and continue to 3rd Street SE and Clarksville Street. The streets will remain one way at this time.
In 2018, the City Council adopted a downtown plan recommending the return of a one-way pair system to two-way traffic leading to and from the Downtown Square. The 90-day study is being implemented for the City and TXDOT to assess the ability to replace traffic signals with stop signs, according to Andrew Mack, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Paris.
Following the 90-day study, a report will be presented to the City’s Traffic Commission and City Council for a determination on how to best proceed with the complete two-way system implementation project.
There is information on the City of Paris home page, www.paristexas.gov, with informational links provided on the adopted Comprehensive Plan and Attachments A & B Downtown plan. “An interactive map of where the new stop requirement will be implemented is also provided on the City of Paris website,” explained Cheri Bedford, Main Street Coordinator.
Motorists and pedestrians are encouraged to use extra caution while traveling in the downtown area and while crossing the intersections during the short-term study period.
A community survey will be available at the onset of the study and citizens are encouraged to provide feedback. For more information and to complete a survey on the project, please visit the City or Chamber Websites.
