A total of 16 stop signs will soon be added to seven intersections in Carmel.
On Aug. 5, the Carmel City Council approved a recommendation in a 4-1 vote to install stop signs at the following intersections throughout the city:
5th Avenue and San Carlos Street – east and west stop signs added (4-way stop)
6th Avenue and Dolores Street – east and west stop signs added (4-way stop)
5th and Lincoln Street – east and west stop signs added (4-way stop)
6th and Lincoln – east and west stop signs added (4-way stop)
5th and Monte Verde Street – Stop signs added for north/south/west traffic (3-way stop)
6th and Monte Verde – Stop signs added for north/south/west traffic (3-way stop)
7th Avenue and Monte Verde – east and west stop signs added (4-way stop)
Councilmember Jeff Baron voted against the recommendation, citing concerns over increased congestion in an already congested city.
“There is a big problem with congestion, but I think we should err on the side of caution and put signs in,” said Mayor Dale Byrne during the meeting.
The recommendations were presented by Carmel Police Chief Todd Trayer following a meeting with the Traffic Safety Committee. He visited each intersection, observed traffic patterns, and reviewed data on all traffic incidents that occurred in the last two years.
There were 11 collisions, all of which involved property damage and no serious injuries. The majority occurred at Lincoln and 5th, Lincoln and 6th, and near the post office at San Carlos and 5th.
“The community has reached out to me enough saying they appreciate the controls being in place because so many people drive through the intersections so quickly,” Trayer says. “Now it’ll be uniform downtown, there won't be one or two that don't have the same regulations.”
Installation of the stop signs will begin on Oct. 26. Trayer will report the effect of the signs on the community six months following installation.
“It’ll be an adjustment,” Trayer says, “but it’ll be safer.”