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UPDATE ON TRIAL AT INTERSECTION OF WATERTOWN STREET, CRAFTS STREET, AND LOWELL AVENUE

DECEMBER 11, 2007

Over the fall, in an effort to improve safety at the intersection where Crafts Street, Watertown Street and Lowell Avenue converge, a trial has been conducted that bars entry of the Lowell Avenue extension westbound from Watertown Street. This also enables Lowell Park to be expanded to the south. This trial will come back before the Traffic Council later this spring. In the meantime, for purposes of the winter plowing season, I have just received the following advisory from the city’s Traffic Engineer.

‘On 12/12/07, DPW will be removing the section of temporary asphalt curbing between # 6 Lowell Avenue and Crafts Street.  The other two temporary curbing areas will be filled with a few inches of gravel to provide stability during the plowing season.  The City will continue to evaluate alternative designs over the winter will the likelihood of a modified trial in the spring.  It is my hope that a second trial will bring the alternatives analysis phase of this project to a close with a Traffic Council recommendation sent to the Board by mid-2008.  Please forward this message as appropriate.’

I will also be docketing an item, along with fellow Ward 1 and Ward 2 colleagues to seek improvements to the Walnut Street/Lowell Avenue intersection. In the meantime, work continues to improving the traffic flow at the Walnut Street/ Watertown Street intersection.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like further information.

Stephen M. Linsky
Ward 2 Alderman
slinsky@newtonma.gove
(617) 796-1701