Russo hopes to slow traffic, decrease Morgan Ave. accidents

Morgan Avenue resident Robert Russo is tired of drivers speeding in his neighborhood and has taken matters into his own hands to solve the problem.

“I’m a fifth generation resident, my son is the sixth generation there. Last Friday morning at 4:30 someone crossed the double yellow lines, ran into the landscaping in my yard, knocked the fire hydrant off and did some damage,” Russo told the Johnston Town Council at Monday’s meeting. “There’s an accident there on a monthly basis. I was hit at age 13 at the same exact spot, spent two and a half weeks in the hospital, had five major operations, and spent six months in a wheelchair.  They killed my dog a couple months ago. It’s just a straightaway, there’s nothing to stop them.”

Russo wants a speed hump installed on Morgan Avenue, a popular shortcut where drivers routinely ignore speed limit signs.

“Just today, my son was crossing the street in front of my truck, and a silver jeep Cherokee passing on the right made me have to swerve over to stop him. He was going to kill my kid,” Russo said. “We just need something to slow them down. The entire road is bad.”

Russo canvassed his neighborhood collecting petition signatures and support for the speed barrier. Councilman Anthony Verardo, who supported the measure, also felt the traffic control device was long overdue. Resolution 2016-CP-241 was introduced to the council at the last meeting.

“Morgan Avenue has had an ongoing issue with speed. It’s used as a cut-through for the most part and they just fly through there. I know we’ve worked with Major [Joseph] Razza and they had posted some officers over there,” said Verardo. “But like anything else, you post an officer there, it’s great for a couple of days, when they go away, it starts up again, and there’s been a lot of accidents there.”

Russo stated that he owns property beginning from about 50 feet down the street from Atwood Avenue, which then continues to the Pocasset River. Sometimes considered a nuisance by some residents who’ve had the bumps installed nearby, he’s undeterred and willing to have the hump placed somewhere near his residence.

“The speed bump can be placed at any position there, preferably right near the fire hydrant. I don’t think it would deter the emergency vehicles going down to the medical health center because it’s not far enough for them to get up any type of speed where it’s going to hinder going over it where they’d have to slow down,” Russo said. 

Council President Robert Russo, of no relation to the petitioner, suggested that multiple speed humps may be required for the road.

“I’m thinking we put up one and then if that doesn’t work and if that doesn’t slow them down possibly we make another,” said Department of Public Works Director Arnold Vecchione. “I think one before the bridge and one after the bridge because if you’re coming from Vincent Drive over the bridge you’re not going to notice the speed hump until it’s too late.”

Police Chief Richard R. Tamburini told the council that traffic studies indicate that a speed hump would help the situation.

“We had enforcement there, we had a lot of violations there,” he said. “We can’t be at one place all the time.”

Tamburini said traffic studies indicate that a speed bump, or perhaps several bumps, will be warranted.

After hearing from Russo, the council unanimously approved the measure, and Vecchione indicated that construction of the speed humps would begin after the winter when weather permits. 

“As long as we get something there,” said Russo.