Randolph/Washington redesign plans coming into focus

It appears that the solutions for the redesign of the intersection at Randolph and Washington streets will likely include a clearly marked right-hand turn lane onto Washington Street from Randolph; some kind of a timed traffic light during peak traffic hours; and a realignment of the roadway to engage motorists to make quicker decisions.

Those were the major takeaways from the second public hearing on the intersection held last Thursday, June 29, at the Canton Public Library. The meeting was hosted by the Blue Ribbon Traffic Committee, Town Planner Laura Smead, and traffic engineers from the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

Approximately 15 residents were in attendance, including selectmen Mark Porter and Kevin Feeney, both leaders of the Blue Ribbon Traffic Committee, and Bob Panico, a Planning Board member and chairman of the Capital Planning Committee.

Boston MPO engineers Seth Asante and Mark Abbott summarized their analysis of existing conditions at the intersection, based on traffic counts conducted in late March and early April during the peak times of 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. and 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.

The engineers confirmed that the intersection is heavily traveled with over 24,000 vehicles passing through on an average weekday when school is in session. Asante added that the average wait time for motorists on Randolph Street during the peak morning and afternoon periods is four to five minutes. According to a Registry of Motor Vehicles report, there were 15 accidents at the intersection from 2010 to 2014, including four non-fatal medical transports and 11 accidents with property damage.

The MPO engineers will return for a third public hearing in August or September where they will discuss more defined recommendations and costs. From there, a formal warrant article will be drawn up for the May 2018 town meeting.

Porter said he would like to see voters presented with a menu of options, including decisions on any traffic light, road realignment, and turning options.

Based on the results of an online survey and from input obtained at the first public hearing in March, it seems that the least popular options were either to do nothing with the intersection; construct a rotary or roundabout; or install a full-time traffic light. Residents were much more amenable to a time-sensitive “smart” traffic light that would be fully synchronized with existing lights at Washington/Dedham and Washington/Chapman streets.

The Boston MPO engineers will now look into costs for roadway realignment and installation of a time-sensitive traffic light.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jul 8 2017. Filed under News, Police & Fire, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.