Traffic Calming Plan to Go to Selectmen in December

Westwood officials discussed excess traffic and speed on roads off of Rte. 109 in in town as they addressed Wednesday night at . 

Dover Road, High Rock Road, Conant Road, Country Lane and Lorraine Road are among the areas of concern; the neighborhoods are used frequently by commuters during rush hour to avoid traffic congestion on High Street. Officials will bring the discussion to the Westwood Board of Selectmen next month. 

Beta Group, Inc. has been working with Westwood officials to come up with the appropriate traffic-calming plan that would be most suitable for residents in those neighborhoods. The total cost of the plans being looked at would range from $600,000 to $1.5 million, and would need final approval at Town Meeting in May.

Editor's Note: To clarify, Westwood officials are suggesting that the best way to move forward is with a Phase 1 plan, which would cost anywhere between $200,000 to $300,000, according to Westwood Department of Works Director Vicki Quiram. 

The goal of moving forward with phase one would be "to do the most effective measures that we can for less price and also so that he niehgborhood can try it out and see if this is really going to help," Quiram said Friday.

Jason DeGray, Senior Project Engineer of Beta Group, Inc. gave a detailed presentation of the proposed plan Wednesday night. Traffic congestion along High Street is the clear driving factor behind people using the side roads as a cut-through route, he said. While he admitted that there is no way to eliminate the traffic or displace it to other spots, there are measures that can be taken.

The recommended plan, also known as Phase 1, includes the use of speed humps and speed tables. Speed humps are intended to drop vehicular speeds down to 20 to 23 miles per hour; speed tables would drop speeds to 25 to 30 miles per hour.

“Raised intersections and speed tables are the theme of what we are doing,” said DeGray, noting that speed bumps and speed cushions were also considered, but can often cause more problems than solutions.

Phase 1, which can be reviewed in detail on the Town of Westwood main website, would cost between $200,000 and $300,000. There is also an intermediate plan that costs about $1 million, as well as a high-end plan costing $1.5 million. 

DeGray also recommended the use of painted lines on the road to help ease traffic concerns. While some residents may not like the idea, he said that paint does not last forever and if residents do not approve, they don’t need to repaint in the future.

“What is important is that the traffic going through the neighborhood should travel at a speed that is reasonable and safe,” said Town Administrator Mike Jaillet.

Jaillet said that this is for children and motorists alike and that safety is the number one concern in this situation. Residents agreed with this notion, saying that motorists travel at excessive speeds through these neighborhoods. Children have even been seen outside with signs telling people to slow down but are completely ignored.

DeGray said that the next step is for everyone to go to the Westwood Board of Selectmen and show their concern. In order for the plan to be carried out, there must be an overwhelming majority approval. Based on resident surveys, he said that this appears to be the case.

The Board of Selectmen will discuss the proposed traffic calming plan in December at a yet-to-be-determined date.