The Fall River City Council voted to advance a proposal to make part of Lindsay Street one-way, but conditioned the move on curb and intersection changes by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and installation of no-parking controls that officials say are needed for emergency and delivery vehicle access.

Dan Aguilar, director of engineering and planning for Fall River City, said the plan responds to a MassDOT corridor design that included a one-way segment and that staff recommended approving the three linked changes together. “We're going to be relocating an existing handicap space further up Lindsay Street,” Aguilar said, adding the relocation would create room for a loading zone for nearby businesses.

Aguilar told the council the package only works if MassDOT performs a specific modification at Brightman Street so larger vehicles and fire apparatus can make required turns. “However, conditionally upon MassDOT making that modification at Brightman Street and that traffic be allowed to come from both directions, heading east or west off of President Avenue,” he said, the one-way arrangement would function as intended.

Fire Chief Jeff Bacon said the department tested the route and supported the change with conditions: “If it remained a 2 way, we would not be able to, have clear access through that intersection,” he said, recommending a no-parking zone near the corner to preserve turning clearance. Thomas Forrest, supervisor of the police traffic enforcement unit, said police responses would not be hindered and noted that circular one-way patterns are common around schools.

Stephanie McCarthy, director of traffic and parking, clarified a related parking detail: staff found “there's 2 signs for 1 parking spot,” and will move the single handicap space about 123 feet north on the same side of the street to accommodate the loading zone and curb work.

Councilor Raposo moved the ordinance through first reading with three conditions: (1) MassDOT must perform the Brightman Street modification, (2) no-parking signage must be installed at the intersection approaches identified by staff to preserve turning clearance, and (3) traffic must be allowed to enter Lindsay northerly from President Avenue from both eastbound and westbound approaches. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Next steps: staff said they will monitor MassDOT's work and coordinate the no-parking installations and any additional curb changes with the traffic board before altering permanent parking controls.