Livingston Aldermen Hold On Decision For One-Way Traffic

The Livingston Board of Aldermen did not take action Thursday night to change two city roads to one-way traffic.

Mayor Curtis Hayes said the possibility of changing the flow of South Church and Spring Street is premature at this time.

“I think after an early meeting we had with our engineers and Ray (Evans) that we’ve came to a conclusion that a decision on one-way traffic cannot be made tonight.” Hayes said.

Hayes said the city’s engineering firm plans to survey the roads to see if the change is possible. The whole idea behind changing the flow of traffic is to create more roadside parking for local businesses.

“We’re not quite ready to make a decision on whether it should be one-way or not tonight,” Hayes said. “The city would need to be prepared for striping for whatever parking it should be, and I think most of you know that Church Street is in no shape to be striped at this time.”

The conversation to change the traffic flow comes from a community meeting in December over the some one million sidewalk project coming to Church Street. The main concern expressed by stakeholders was the lack of parking in the area.

The floor opened for community input later in the meeting. A few business owners spoke in favor of the change. Business Owner April Stovers said she supports the one-way traffic not just for parking but safety as well.

“Parking is a huge thing for us,” Stover said. “It is very important to make sure it flows better, but my biggest concern is safety. I worry about the kids running across the street there.”

Church Street home Owner Jay Warren spoke against the change

“if you make it a one-way strip, you’re looking at a drag strip,” Warren said. “You’ll watch these kids driving, and they are getting sideways, blowing black smoke. You open a one-lane wide road, that is a disaster.”

Hayes said another meeting will be planned once the survey is complete. Hayes said the information will allow the Board to make an educated decision on the matter.

In the mean time, an additional gravel parking lot has been prepared at Central Park.