Sharon council members Thursday discussed adding a turning lane at the intersection of State Street and North Water Avenue.

Mayor Robert T. Price said people making a left turn onto North Water from State many times can’t make the turn. He said people can’t turn and cause traffic to back up -- sometimes over the bridge. Price said he estimates around 18,000 cars a day travel through the intersection.

The city has $121,000 left over from a grant to improve the area that will pay for the turning lane, Price said. He said the cost of the project may actually be less because engineers found original plans and located a conduit. Before, they thought they would have to search for the conduit.

Price said they are going to look at narrowing the south sidewalk on State Street near McDonald’s to make room for the lane. He said they will also have to look at taking out the indent on the north side of the street in front of The Phoenix Restaurant and Lounge and The Book Rack.

Drivers shouldn’t lose too many parking spaces because of the work, Price said. He said at worst four spaces would be lost on the north side of the street and three on the south. He said there may only be a loss of three north-side spaces and two on the south side.

Councilman Lou Rotunno suggested putting a four-way stop sign at the intersection until the project is completed. He said it may help alleviate traffic problems if everyone has to take turns at the juncture.

City council is expected to vote on the project Wednesday. Price said he wants to start the project "before the snow flies."