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ATTLEBORO - A chronic and dangerous traffic problem at a South Attleboro shopping plaza has apparently been solved.
City officials said Friday the owner of the popular South Attleboro Square at the corner of Washington Street and Highland Avenue has agreed to hire police to close the plaza's Highland exit during certain hours on weekends.
The cops will direct shoppers to the Washington exit which is controlled by a traffic signal.
Closing the Highland exit during specific weekend hours will prevent dangerous and traffic clogging left turns out of the plaza and will keep motorists who turn right from using nearby private driveways for turnarounds.
Motorists making a left or using turnarounds are trying to reach Washington, which is also Route 1.
Shoppers will be allowed to enter the plaza via Highland.
"We think this is a good solution," said Mayor Kevin Dumas. "We tried it during the holidays last year and it works really well."
The agreement comes after a meeting between the city's traffic study commission and plaza owner Carpionato Properties two weeks ago.
At that meeting, Carpionato made a pitch to install a traffic signal at the Highland exit, but the idea was flatly rejected by the commission which suggested the company install a gate it could use to close the Highland exit during busy times on weekends.
But Carpionato opted to hire police instead.
The city ordered police to close the exit at certain times during the 2006 holiday season for public safety reasons.
City councilor Walter Thibodeau, chairman of the transportation and traffic committee and pointman on the plaza traffic problem, said the cops will cost Carpionato $45,760 a year.
Carpionato vice president John Kokot who was handling the matter for the company could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Thibodeau was pleased with the resolution.
"I think this is ideal as far as a solution for the problems we've had with safety and with cars turning around in driveways," he said.
Police postings will start in the next two weeks, Dumas said.
The exit will be closed from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
During the six week holiday period two police officers will be posted at the exit.
GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432.
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