HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-16-TMG-minMinutes for Traffic Mitimation Group Meeting
Hartwell Ave Review, November 16, 2007
Present: David Cannon, Elaine Dratch, Terry Gleason, Aaron Henry, Stewart Kennedy,
Maryann McCall Taylor, Hank Manz, Jeff Roth, Captain Charles Sargent, Carl Valente, Jerry
VanHook, Gail Wagner, and Susan Yanofsky. Marc Saucier, Bedford Police Traffic
Enforcement.
Harwell Ave History (points raised prior to Open Meeting
➢ Hartwell was originally one -lane both directions with bicycle /pedestrian
accommodations.
➢ 1980's Hartwell traffic is comparable to present situation with new striping.
➢ Maguire Rd at Hartwell met traffic volumes for signalization in the 1980s.
➢ Hanscom controls access to base. There are 4 gates or which 3 are currently open.
Marrett Rd 2A behind Wood St remains closed. Post - striping, all deliveries are made
from 2A.
➢ Hanscom civilian employees are not assigned entry gates, personal choice. Lincoln Labs
is the largest civilian employer with 2,500 base employees. New security check lane at
Hartwell gate post- striping, total two. Traffic backup on Hartwell caused by vehicles
cued to enter the base.
➢ Striping done for safety. It clarifies the road.
➢ Striping is a one -year trial and may not be the permanent solution.
➢ Lexington Police have not seen an increase in accidents since new striping.
Bedford Traffic Enforcement Issues
➢ AM commute is the primary issue: peak lasts approximately 20 minutes.
➢ Officer Saucier spent 20 minutes driving .8 miles on South St.
➢ Complaints from citizens received about jammed Bedford streets.
➢ Bedford, unlike Lexington, will not post commuter exclusions for peak hours on
residential streets.
➢ Jug handle from Great Rd onto Hartwell is backed up due to drivers forming a single lane
in anticipation of new single lane from Maguire Rd to base.
➢ Officer Saucier and Carl (Bedford commuter) presented traffic summaries.
Possible Improvements
➢ Temporary lane shifts for AM commute heading into base: bridge too narrow.
➢ Open bike lane after Maguire Rd: unsafe for bicyclists.
➢ Lincoln Labs flex time and working from home options
➢ Hanscom add security check lanes and improve efficiency of guards.
➢ Exploring commuter options from Route 3.
➢ Communicating with Lincoln Lab employees as to Lexington's efforts and developing a
Lincoln Lab contact to channel Hartwell comments /complaints. Transportation or
Hazmat Coordinators noted.
➢ Learning curve to adjust to change: leaving 5 minutes earlier, different gate.
➢ Separate bicyclist from autos: reclaim rail spur, widen Hartwell Ave.
➢ Coordinate bike path signal with Great Rd: if no one is crossing, back up created.
➢ Enforcement of bike lane from bikeway south to Maguire needed to ensure bicyclists'
safety.
Action Items
➢ Meet with Hanscom Commander (Susan).
➢ Traffic counts for AM commuters entering Wood St from Hartwell and autos continuing
past Lincoln Labs to determine cut through commuters (Dave).
➢ Lincoln Lab list of personnel will be made available to Carl (Terry Gleason).
Next Hartwell Ave review tentatively December 18 dependent on Action Items progress.