Going both ways on William Street in Lawrence

The yearlong battle to turn the one-way William Street in Lawrence into a two-way street has resulted in the village implementing a three-month experimental period that began last month to observe its impact.

Lawrence Mayor Martin Oliner, who has been concerned about safety since the issue was discussed last year, said that his main concern remains the same. “Right now the biggest problem is, as you are heading east on Central Avenue, cars making a left hand turn onto William Street are holding up traffic,” he said. “The whole thing has to be thought through and we’re observing it on a daily basis on different hours and in different traffic conditions.”

In addition to having two-way traffic on William Street for three months, two parking spaces were also removed on the corner of Central Avenue and William Street to allow a better view for motorists who are making a right turn (the only direction permitted) onto Central Avenue from Williams Street.

Gila Bendelstein, manager at Junee Jr. on Central Avenue across from William Street, said she hadn’t noticed the change but thinks it’s a good idea for motorists. “It’s easier this way because drivers don’t have to go all the way around,” she said. “Taking the parking spots away was bad since there isn’t much parking but there is still a parking lot [behind Horizon Thrift Shop.]”

Lydia Ciotti, an employee at Horizon Thrift Shop on the corner of Central Avenue and William Street, anticipates that residents will be confused as they are unaware that the street is now a two-way. “People don’t know that it’s a two-way yet and I’ve already seen a couple of almost accidents,” she said. “The one-way was perfect because it was like that for so many years and this change will be hard for people to get used to.”

Mike Agugliaro, manager of Vacuum and Appliance Showroom on Central Avenue, said making William Street a two-way street is ridiculous. “It’s terrible,” he said. “Now no one has anywhere to park since there are less parking spots now. I hate it.”

Lawrence resident Michael Billet has mixed emotions about the experiment as it appears not good for business owners in the proximity to William Street, but better for motorists. “I feel bad for businesses because there is less parking,” he said. “I guess it’s better though because the businesses have back entrances so customers don’t have to drive all the way around; they can go right in and get their shopping done quicker and more easily.”

Following the three-month experiment, Oliner said the village would send out letters to residents to obtain their opinions on the matter. “I’m also concerned about the elderly residents who live at The Plaza [on Central Avenue],” he said. “But we’ll see how it goes.”