Drivers, as well as passengers, on Lydig Avenue, between Paulding and Colden avenues will soon be enjoying a smoother ride, thanks to the flattening out of two rough speed humps near each intersection.
While traffic controls are often a necessary evil, the two crude speed humps, that are described as “hummocks” by the Department of Transportation, proved to be too hard on the suspensions of vehicles traveling down Lydig Avenue.
Now after much community discussion, the Department of Transportation is in the process of smoothing out the hummocks, making them easier on the vehicles that travel over them. Councilman Jimmy Vacca asked DOT for action in on the matter.
“These hummocks posed a serious hazard to people who drive on Lydig Avenue, and we asked the Department of Transportation to smooth out the hummocks near the intersections of Paulding and Colden avenues,” Vacca said. “It’s had been like this for over five years. We asked that DOT to take corrective action to avoid car damage and potential accidents.”
Near the intersection of Paulding Avenue, the hummock was located at the beginning of a downward slope in the road. Often in rain and snow, as well as during normal road conditions, this had the effect of rocking cars as they hit their brakes at the hummock at the top of the hill to slow down before the step incline.
According to eyewitnesses, after hitting the hummocks, cars often would jolt left and right, sometimes skidding down the hill towards Colden Avenue as they tried to come to complete stop at the next intersection.
“The hummock on Lydig Avenue near the intersection of Paulding Avenue has been modified and made safer,” Vacca said. “Now cars traveling towards Paulding Avenue will have a smoother ride, and drivers and passengers will have less worry.”
DOT spokeswoman Nicole Garcia confirmed that their work crews have smoothed out the hummock near Paulding Avenue. The hummock at the bottom of the steep incline also is in the process of being smoothed over.
One motorist who drives on the street often, who did not wish to be indentified, said that while he was glad that the situation with the speed humps appeared to be resolved, he was more concerned about drivers who do not come to a complete stop at the bottom of the hill.
“There are a lot of drivers who do not stop at the stop sign [at Lydig and Colden avenues,]” he said. “The other day, there was one lady here who almost got hit by a car there.”
