New Britain herald., 1929-08-20
TROUBLESOME TRAFFIC ALONG OUR BOULEVARD"

The boulevard system along West Main is still on trial, and it is as- sumed that a careful check of it's eff feet is being made. The system no doubt has it's advantages ordinarily, but complaints are being heard that on Saturday afternoon and Sunday the through traffic along the "boule- vard'' has too much of an adavan- tage over traffic coming from inter- secting streets. After the baseball games in Walnut Hill park last Sat- urday afternoon one motorist who tried to edge his way into West Main street from Black Rock avenue re- ports he was held up 23 minutes by his watch. during that time there having been an endless stream of au- tomobiles rushing along West Main in both directions. As he wanted to make left turn he was in a sad predicament. It is on such occasions that the need for traffic officers at some of the corners not possessing traffic signals is self evident.
 There are times when traffic is vir- tuaily continuous, without exagger- ation; and no one would claim that an autost trying to horn into West Main street from a side street has no rights at such time.
 'BouleTards" originally were wide streets, not streets of ordinary width. West Main street is not a wide street, but one of fair average width. Along a wide boulevard with room from four to six lines of traffic it is easy for traffic to remain in motion while motorists from inter- secting streets turn into the boule- yard and move forward with the stream. Of course, to cross such a boulevard or ta make a left turn, is an entirely different problem and can scarcely be accomplished with out the aid of traffic policemen.
 When streets of average width are turned into boulevards the incident q i,to most impossible to turn into such a l boulevard from a side street when l the traffic is well-nigh continuous, | especially when it is necessary to i make left turn. Over the weekend traffic along West Main street is hairraising in its intensity and con- tinuity.
 Along West Main street there is an exception 10 the new stop rule at Black Rock avenue, where trolley cars naturally cannot be subject l to the same rules as motorists. A ] trolley car when ready to turn into | West Main street from Black Rock l does so regardless of the traffic. Of course, it could not be otherwise. The operator merely rings his bell and traffic coming over the bridge has to slow down regardless. And when trolley car turns from West l Main into Black Rock necessitating a left turn against traffic coming ing over the bridge, the supposed right of way of the boulevard auto mobiles likewise is severely frac- tured, Pity the autoist dashing east over the bridge and suddenly being confronted with a Yellow Kid mak- ing the turn and finding himself lacking in good brakes!
 Part of the day there is a traf- fic officer at West Main and Lincoln streets, and his services ar. highly appreciated by motorists and pedes- trians alike. It is difficult accom- plishment indeed for anybody, either
 on tires or on foot, to cross or enter a boulevard that is filled with fast
 moving vehicles. The police traffic
 department. we are sure, will devote
 an increasing time to the study of
 the problems enumerated and en-
 deavor to bring about a maximum
 improvement. Everyone realizes that
 the difficulties of safeguarding the
 rights of everybody in this moderr
 motor age-and especially along 2
 highway that is becoming as mucl
 used as this one-is fraught witf
 problems of extreme difficulty. Ant
 almost everyone equally recognize.
 that the peculiar confguration O
 the streets of New Britain provid,
 more problems to the acre than tn, streets in almost any other city. Tn, traffic department has a mans sig,
 job on it's hands.
 Ex