Article Contributed on: 2/24/2006 1:02:58 PM
BRIGHTON -- The Brighton Post Office made a significant change to the outside postal drop box operation recently.
Although the existing system seemed to work well for Brighton residents and other users of the Brighton facility, the package and letter drop box has moved. The previous drop point was in the south wall of the building well into the one way alley between 4th and 5th Avenues.
These have been sealed off and self standing general mail boxes have been installed just inside the alley entrance. One of the effects seemed to be increased motor vehicle traffic problems at the entrance of the alley as cars and trucks jockey for position while using and waiting for the drop boxes.
This is compounded when post office customers visiting the office during business hours are crossing the alley at the same time.
These two pictures (featured above) show the alley entrance. One indicates old and new drop box locations, the other shows how vehicles line up to use the newly located boxes.
There can be 3 or more vehicles queuing up at the same time. Additional vehicles must wait in the street.
A post office explanation indicates that the overcrowded Brighton Post Office needed the space inside that the old drop boxes occupied.
Observing the area, this reporter observed cars backing back out into the street after using the new boxes, gridlock developing during peak hours, and pedestrians scurrying to avoid turning automobiles. In addition, not every post office user knows the new boxes are installed.
This was evidenced by a significant amount of traffic heading down the alley as they have done for years and getting a surprise that the original boxes are sealed up.
Michael Renquist