City HallSaturday, November 7
Keene City Council votes 11–3 to keep a single lane on Central Square's north side
The 5AM Keene team
If you drive downtown, this one's for you. Keene City Council voted 11–3 Thursday to keep a single lane across the north side of Central Square. Councilors rejected an amendment that would have restored two lanes, and The Keene Sentinel says the vote turned down an attempt to rehash a decision made over a year ago.
Drivers will go through in one lane, then merge toward Court Street, West Street or Main Street. Mayor Jay Kahn, who supports two lanes, said Monday on WKBK that keeping the design would not necessarily prevent the city from revisiting it. Public Works Director Don Lussier has said pavement markings could change traffic patterns.
The numbers behind the lane debate
- 11–3
- full Council vote to keep one lane
- 4–1
- committee vote in October to recommend one lane
- 11 feet
- width of each lane in the two-lane alternative
- 100 feet
- or less of approach room in some locations
Source: My Keene Now
Also at Thursday's meeting, the Council announced dates for the 100 Nights Shelter and Veterans Day.
- 100 Nights Shelter opens Dec. 7 and runs four months
- Volunteer training: Nov. 9 and Nov. 16, 5:30 p.m., United Church of Christ
- Veterans Day ceremony: Nov. 11, 11 a.m., Recreation Center at Fuller Field
- City Hall is closed Nov. 11
Sources: My Keene Now, The Keene Sentinel