Politics & Government

New Traffic Calming Measures Proposed for Westwood Neighborhoods

Officials are looking to have a concrete plan in place to vote on in September.

After an last month on traffic concerns in several Westwood neighborhoods, town officials and consultants had hoped to come up with a plan they could vote on in a follow-up meeting on Tuesday night. 

But after considering feedback from several residents of those neighborhoods, and the potential cost of alleviating traffic concerns, a vote for such a measure may not come until September. 

The areas of concern include High Rock Street, Dover Road, Conant Road, Country Lane and Lorraine Road - areas which are highly affected by traffic from Rte. 109/High Street, vehicles on which tend to use the backroads as cut throughsto avoid the heavy rush hour traffic.

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In early May, Jason DeGray, Senior Project Manager for Beta Group, Inc., which analyzed the area and recommended options for traffic-calming measures, held a meeting to spark discussion from residents of those neighborhoods alongside colleague Kin Ho, a Senior Associate for Beta Group. 

"At the time, we basically were coming in for a fresh look at the data," DeGray said. "The conclusion to that meeting was that a traffic accommodating program is warranted."

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He added, "The goal was to come back with a plan tonight and actually hold a vote to bring to the Board of Selectmen. (But) the magnitude of the concerns that we've heard is such that we've felt we need to take a step back and have a more detailed discussion of priorities."

Tuesday night, the group presented a detailed explanation as to the obstacles involved in alleviating traffic, and what options they recommended to the residents. 

"What we wanted to convey tonight is that we're taking this seriously," said Town Administrator Mike Jaillet. "We've done a lot of work since we last met. The issue is a little more complex than we thought, a little more expensive than we thought, and we need to talk to you about it."

DeGray offered several potential solutions that residents could choose from. 

One option comprised placing nearly 19 speed humps in and around the neighborhoods, a project that could cost upwards of $150,000, and include the striping of roads to hopefully slow down and narrow traffic. 

Another option, one that was significantly more costly, comprised a multiple-phased process of installing various types of traffic deterrents, such as speed humps, raised intersections, raised islands, or constructed "gateways" to neighborhoods. 

But that project, over time, could cost upwards of anywhere between $600,000 and $1.5 million, something DeGray said was much more difficult, as there is currently no funding set aside for the project.

A third option would involve a modified phased project that could be consistent with the cost of $150,000.

The biggest issue of concern amongst DeGray and other officials was funding, as there currently is no funding set aside to put towards such a project. 

"What we're talking about here is that although there is no funding identified, without a plan, we will never get the funding," said Vicki Quiram, director of the Westwood Department of Public Works.

The cost of $150,000, however, is more realistic, and an allocation for such a number could be accounted for at Town Meeting, Jaillet said. 

"That would get you the most basic level, something that's system-wide," DeGray said. "Or we pick a couple of devices, and figure out what makes the most sense to go forward with the amount of funding."

Both plans raised a handful of concerns from attending residents. 

In terms of the speed hump plan, there was concern over whether it would be worth it three years down the road, after which time it would be likely that the speed humps, which are installed temporarily by design, could deteriorate or wear out. What's more, at that time, it might be difficult to bring another plan to the Board of Selectmen to justify more costs. 

The benefits to the speed humps, DeGray said, is that they are temporary; they can be removed during winter or if they prove to not be successful. What's more, they also pose a more immediate solution to the entire area. 

As for the phased project, that would give residents a chance to see what works, a chance to install one form of traffic calming measure and subsequently weigh their options moving forward. 

Although a phased project could be more costly, DeGray explained that it could be done in such a way as to keep it within the budget of $150,000. 

This would be an optional phased project that would be much more reachable within that budget, and would include a raised intersection at Conant Road, Country Lane and Lorraine Road. It could include a raised island to be placed at the intersection of Summer Street to help slow traffic. Adding to that, a speed table could be introduced on High Rock Street.

Meanwhile, the town is looking to address the issues of traffic congestion along high street by synchronizing the several traffic lights along the road. That project could cost upwards of $300,000, Jaillet said, and the town is looking at a number of ways to help fund that project.

"(Rte.) 109 is a state-numbered highway," Jaillet said. "Where the traffic belongs, in our opinion, is on 109. Putting traffic back onto 109 is exactly what we're trying to do here."

DeGray and Ho plan to discuss the feedback with Jaillet, Quiram and other officials in the hopes of devising a concrete plan to be voted on in September, after which point the group could then bring the plan to the Board of Selectmen for potential approval. 


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