by Frank Schroth
At their meeting on January 10th the Board of Selectmen discussed the following traffic issues with Chief Wells and DPW director Joe Lynch, both members of the Milton Traffic Commission: a) the left hand slip lane on Adams that connects to Granite Avenue and b) eliminating the ability to make a right turn on red at Adams (westbound) onto Granite Avenue. The discussion of both issues focused on pedestrian safety and mitigating traffic congestion.
The slip lane had been temporarily closed forcing all eastbound traffic to circle to the right. Vehicles seeking to head north on Granite Avenue would then make a left on Boulevard and then left again on Granite Avenue. Director Lynch cited that this was a test to determine how such a traffic pattern might work. The town is evaluating two hybrid plans that came out of the analysis of East Milton traffic and parking. The results of the analysis call for putting parking on the deck of I93. Hybrid Plan A as it is called preserves the current road configuration (i.e. the slip lane would remain in place), Hybrid Plan B removes the slip lane. The reasons for this were to increase parking space and increase green space while improving traffic flow. The plan to close the slip lane is a failure according to Wells and Lynch. Lynch said buses, box trucks and tractor trailers all found navigating Boulevard to make the left on Granite Avenue challenging. They took up the two lanes making the turn due to the tightness of the turn and size of vehicles. This in turn backed up traffic.
Selectman Hurley pressed for the slip lane to be closed. Among the reasons is the danger to pedestrians crossing Granite Avenue in front of Brueggers Bagels. Drivers drivers exiting the slip lane onto Granite Avenue are looking right and accelerating into a crosswalk just a short distance in front of them. Hurley asked that the firm retained evaluate both hybrid plans with a preference for Plan B if the turning radius can be designed to accommodate trucks. If not, they will go with Plan A. There was agreement with Chief Wells comment that generally, “I think this is an opportunity to really enhance East Milton Square – make it a jewel.”
Later in their session the selectmen approved an article for Town Meeting that would request an appropriation for the development of a Design Review Plan for the East Milton Square parking concept.
It was pedestrian safety that also drove a vote to no longer permit a right on red at Adams and Granite. Hurley said he had received calls complaining about drivers moving into the crosswalk without stopping. The right turn after a stop allowed the traffic to move more smoothly but Hurley noted, “[We want] to improve traffic but we don’t want anybody killed.” Wells and Lynch, citing fact that it is known that drivers do not stop and that is a significant risk to pedestrians recommended that the selectmen no longer allow a turn on red. The selectmen unanimously approved a motion accepting the recommendation.