SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - A change in Springfield to make a street one way is causing confusion. For years, Edgecomb Street has been a go-to cut-through for drivers trying to get between Bay Street and State Street. Now, the city has made it so you can’t turn from Bay Street onto Edgecomb, but a lot of drivers either don’t know it, or are ignoring it, and neighbors say they’re seeing it happen over and over again.

Western Mass News was on Edgecomb Friday morning, talking with residents about what they’re seeing, and what this change means for the daily routine on that street.

A ton of drivers are still unclear about the new rules on Edgecomb Street. We saw one car after another make the now illegal turn from Bay Street onto Edgecomb, and speed down towards Acorn Street. While residents are happy that they will now see less traffic, they’re still worried that it may be ignored it altogether.

A standoff on Edgewood was just some of the confusion from a brand-new one-way sign; one that many drivers are not following or haven’t even noticed.

“They’re still not paying attention. And I feel that the police should at least come over here and sit for at least two or three hours to let people know this is the one way,” said Springfield resident Joyce Pringle.

This change happened just in the last day or two, and it’s been a long time coming the residents of the street like Pringle, “I’m relieved but I know it’s going to take a while. Nothing’ happens immediately, and it’s going to take time. But, yes, because we have too much ongoing traffic.”

Well, many cars have stopped or turned around. Many also have continued straight on towards Acorn Street and completely disregarded the new sign.

It’s an adjustment even for those like Karen Glover, who lives on Edgewood, and caught herself going the wrong way, “(I was) Headed towards Acorn Street and looked up and noticed that the sign said one way. and I thought, oh my god, I’m going to get into an accident.”

Edgewood joins the next street, Sycamore, which is also one way from Bay Street towards Acorn; although drivers cut through. Still, Glover is confident that a one way will do wonders for the well-being of the neighborhood, but we are very happy to see it’s one way. We get a lot of traffic, a lot of speeding. We do have elderly people on this on this street. So, I’m hoping that it’ll be a little safer for the residents.

We reached out to Springfield’s Department of Public Works to ask them why they now decided to make this change but haven’t heard back.

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