HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-09-TMG-min Minutes for Traffic Mitigation Group Meeting
May 9, 2006
Members Present: Richard Canale, Laura Cecere, Elaine Dratch, Jeanne Krieger, Sudhir Murthy,
Scott Schilt, Judith Uhrig, Jerry Van Hook, Gail Wagner Guest: Steve Heinrich.
The Traffic Mitigation Group (TMG)met on Tuesday,May 9, 2006 at 9 00 AM in the Room
G-15 of the Town Office Building. The following summarizes the discussion
PROJECTS
AvalonBav at Lexington Square(Met-State redevelopment)
r A truck restriction on Walnut Street is defacto due to the legal truck restriction on Concord
Avenue Trucks can only access Walnut Street from Trapelo Road It was decided that
Waltham should be approached to help get signage approved by MassHighway
o Verify if David Carboneau received a letter of support from the Waltham City Council.
i' Sudhir will review data from studies of the Concord Avenue/Waltham Street intersection to
determine existing and projected levels of service
o Could Richard contact MPO to see if we could get their counts and analysis?
Y A new study of the Concord Avenue/Waltham Street intersection may not be needed given
current study by the MPO,which will have recommendations this fall based upon projected
build-out from known projects in the area.
* The $25,000 approved by Town Meeting for improvements to the Concord Avenue/Waltham
Street intersection is to be spent prior to AvalonBay pulling building permits It may not be
worthwhile to post a bond for the funding given that AvalonBay has applied for their permits
It was agreed that the Town should investigate the possibility to restripe the Concord
Avenue/Waltham Street intersection
r- Walnut Street would be a leading candidate if the Tree Committee s proposal for a Scenic
Road by-law is approved by Town Meeting next year
Need counts from MPO for speeds, volumes and accident history on Walnut Street to see
why the Concord Avenue/Walnut Street intersection has the second highest accident rate in
the MPO study area.
• Areas on Walnut Street with limited pavement width should be made to be consistent with
other sections on the Street. This may be something that can be done by the Lexington Hills
development, which is proposing to install a waterline under Walnut Street.
.$ The narrow width of Walnut Street is a form of traffic calming. Widening would not be
supported by neighbors Additional considerations would be to install a stop sign at the
entrance to Potter Pond Road or install speed platforms to slow traffic
Y Traffic congestion at the Concord Avenue/Pleasant Street intersection is a time of day issue
The TMG sees no need for improvements There are site distance issues, and the property
owners should be approached to see if they would be willing to trim vegetation
• The Montessori School is planning an expansion. They should meet with the TMG to discuss
options to improve congestion problems when parents drop-off/pick-up children.
. The Pleasant Street/Watertown Street intersection should be studied for improvements
r The Massachusetts Avenue/Pleasant Street intersection should be part of a study of the
Massachusetts Avenue corridor from Pleasant Street to Marrett Road,which would include
the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue with Maple Street.
Need to check the language of the AvalonBay agreement to determine if fundmg for
mitigation is allowed for projects outside of the study area. [Note the language is clear that
the funding muct be for a project in the stuck- area]
A public hearing is set for June 13 by the MassHighway(MHD) for the improvements to the
Marrett Road/Waltham Street intersection. Public support for the project is needed for MHD
to put the project forward for funding.
Mr Heinrich stated that he does not think the entrance to the Metropolitan State Parkway
from Concord Avenue is a safe design, and improvements are needed prior to AvalonBay
startmg construction.
Next Meeting
r Tuesday,May 23, 2006 at 9 00 AM in Room 111 of the Town Office Building.
Minutes submitted by Scott Schilt, Senior Planner on May 15, 2006