Bonney Brook residents press Dorchester County for traffic-calming on Mallard Lane

Residents of the Bonney Brook neighborhood urged Dorchester County officials at a public meeting to act after repeated speeding incidents on Mallard Lane and at the community entrance from Route 50.

"Speed limit is 25 miles an hour. Please slow down," said Alvin, who spoke on behalf of the Bonney Brook Association and said he has lived in the neighborhood for 37 years. Alvin described drivers — including delivery vehicles — entering the subdivision at high speed and asked the county to place a traffic-calming device near the Bonney Brook entrance and a speed bump on Mallard Lane to protect children and pedestrians.

County staff and residents discussed a range of responses, from enhanced signage and painted lane treatments to targeted enforcement. Public works staff member Osmond recommended low-cost visual measures such as red triangles and yellow chevrons to make the curve feel narrower and slow drivers. The chair said the traffic safety committee will review options and, if appropriate, make a recommendation to the full council for funding or further action.

Residents also raised maintenance and funding concerns. Ryan Shea, a Mallard Lane resident, asked who would pay for installation and maintain any devices after winter damage. The chair said the county could use its contingency fund for necessary traffic-safety measures if the traffic safety committee and public works recommend them. The committee asked residents to provide contact information so staff can follow up with site-specific recommendations.