No one who has been in downtown Mystic on a summer weekend can deny the village suffers from traffic congestion. The sheer volume of vehicles converging on the historic seaside community, along with the sometimes fierce competition for a dearth of parking spaces, can make the scant half-mile trip between the Mystic train station and Bank Square a test of patience.

Granted, it is a good problem to have. Better a crowded commercial district than an empty one. But finding solutions that ease these problems, while appropriately balancing the needs of businesses, residents and visitors, is critical and challenging. As such, it’s a positive sign efforts are underway to seek ways to untangle Mystic traffic and improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

This coming Thursday, the Stonington Department of Planning will listen to feedback on the idea of making two downtown streets one-way to improve traffic flow. The thinking is that making Cottrell Street one-way southbound and Willow Street one-way northbound between Route 1 and Washington Street could help eliminate hazardous conditions at the Route 1-Cottrell Street intersection. The workshop begins at 6 p.m. at the B.F. Hoxie Fire Station on Broadway.

In addition, the Stonington Economic Development Commission last week got an initial look at a conceptual plan for Coogan Boulevard, devised by University of Connecticut landscape design students. That plan aims to reduce vehicular speeding and make the tourist-heavy area near Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Aquarium safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

While both steps are positive, planners must guard against a piecemeal approach. The officials in Stonington and Groton, the two towns that share the village of Mystic, should join forces and undertake a comprehensive traffic and parking study of the entirety of Mystic.

News last week that the owners of Seaport Marine plan to add a second restaurant, a 45-room boutique hotel and 47 apartments, townhouses and single-family houses on downtown Mystic property make the need for such a study, and any comprehensive solutions it could produce, that much more urgent.

A certain amount of congestion in Mystic is inevitable. Large numbers of visitors head there to enjoy its museums, shopping, hotels, restaurants, historic beauty and numerous special events. These visitors help boost the region’s economy.

Visitors join locals crowding into a village largely developed long before motor vehicles existed. Many village’s narrow streets and businesses were built at a time when there was little need for parking and the Mystic River was more heavily utilized as a means of transportation.

Conversely, areas developed long after Americans became motor vehicle-dependent present other challenges. The area near Interstate 95 is hazardous for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The means to produce a comprehensive traffic and parking study exist. Stonington Director of Planning Jason Vincent said grants could be available, for example, and the students who formulated plans for Coogan Boulevard might take a more expansive view of the area.

We urge Groton and Stonington officials to make such a study a reality.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.