NOLFE

Q. Are there any plans to install a traffic light at the intersection of Niantic Avenue and Cranston Street? There always seems to be a long line of cars attempting to turn left on to Cranston Street after exiting Route 10. The addition of the Brewery Parkade seems to have made this situation worse.

A. Yes, RIDOT has plans to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Niantic Avenue and Cranston Street in Cranston. As part of this project a left-turn lane and traffic signal will be provided for traffic on Cranston Street turning left onto Niantic Avenue. This signal is in its final design stages and once completed will be advertised for construction.

Towns maintenance

Q. I live in Narragansett and often walk along Point Judith Road (Route 108), but that has become more difficult. Weeds have sprouted up between the curb and the sidewalk and the grass along the road is really encroaching on the sidewalk. Also, portions of the stone walls erected during the widening and renovation of Point Judith Road have fallen down. Is the DOT aware of this and if so, what are the plans to address these issues?

A. The towns are responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks, even on state roads, according to Rhode Island General Laws. The town of Narragansett, therefore, should be contacted regarding the weeds and grass. Some towns also have their own laws that require homeowners to maintain their sidewalks. Typically RIDOT is only responsible for an annual sweeping.

According to highway plans from the 1980’s, when RIDOT reconstructed Point Judith Road, the state highway line lies on the face of the stone wall. The plans also show a temporary easement, which was probably taken to allow the department to rebuild the wall. Because the easement was temporary, we believe that the wall is now owned by the property owners that abut the wall.

Dana Alexander Nolfe, chief public affairs officer for the state Department of Transportation, has agreed to answer questions of general interest posed by Journal readers about state roads and other state transportation matters.

The DOT is responsible for the state’s transportation infrastructure, which includes highways, bridges, traffic signals and bikeways.

To ask a question that would also be of interest to other readers, send a letter to Ask RIDOT, Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902. You can also e-mail your question to projocars@projo.com. Please put “Question for the DOT” in the subject field.

Questions or complaints of a specific nature should be posed to the DOT directly and will not be answered in this column.