Milton, Massachusetts - TRAFFIC UPDATE

Traffic volume and speed are issues on both Highland and Thacher Streets. These local two-lane roads unfortunately combined to provide an “effective” cut-through (along with Marshall Road and Hallen Avenue) for traffic avoiding three signalized intersections along Route 28, a four-lane state numbered route that traverses the town from Randolph/Quincy to Mattapan. Many efforts have been undertaken over the years to reduce volume and calm traffic along the Highland/Thacher corridor. The purpose of this report is to update the Board of Selectmen and the public on the current status of these efforts.

To be considered is that Milton is a community with severe financial constraints due to Proposition 2 ½ and a tax base that is 97% residential. Funds for capital improvements have been curtailed as the Town struggles each year to meet operating obligations. Major capital initiatives have often been the subject of over ride referenda. Therefore, the first approaches to addressing many infrastructure deficits have been low cost and non-structural in nature.

Also to be considered is that it has long been recognized by transportation professionals that the solutions to traffic problems rely on a combination of engineering, education and enforcement, as well as the cooperation of the traveling public.

In the case of the Thacher / Highland corridor, the Town instituted restrictions on Hallen Avenue, Reed Street and Highland Street that include DO NOT ENTER postings during the AM peak hour and making a portion of Highland (between Randolph Ave and Reed Street) one way southbound.

The Town has constructed traffic calming devices on Hallen Avenue and at the intersection of Highland/Marshall (islands, special markings, signing and textured surfaces). The effectiveness of these measures rely on intensive enforcement and the cooperation of motorists.

The Town of Milton commissioned a traffic engineering planning study in 2002 that included recommendations for the Thacher/Highland/Canton Avenue intersection, as well as other intersections around town.

Funding for the recommended signalization of the Thacher/Highland/Canton intersection was secured at the May 2004 Annual Town Meeting and construction is now underway.

Another engineered component of the overall solution (located at the northerly end of the corridor and will be constructed as part of this signalization project) is the geometric reconfiguration of the intersection of Thacher Street with Route 28. The objective of this measure is to discourage traffic turning onto the cut-through route and reduce the speed of traffic that does enter onto Thacher.

On the other end of the corridor, upcoming geometric changes to the Highland/Randolph intersection will reinforce the previously instituted one way restriction on Highland and help discourage violations.

Also, a new signal to be installed at the Reed/Randolph intersection will provide a safer condition for left hand turning movements. In addition, signage along the Highland Street route was improved and additional improvements are pending.

It is interesting to note that a recent study completed for the Hospital measured traffic volumes on Highland Street (at the Milton Hospital drive) at approximately 7,500 vehicles per day while traffic flow on Reedsdale Road was measured at 12,000 vehicles per day. Relatively speaking, a much greater volume of traffic should be expected on Reedsdale Road given that is has a higher functional classification, has four lanes and has the Route 28 designation.

Clearly, steps need to be taken to encourage the utilization of the Route 28 in lieu Thacher / Highland along with continued efforts to control traffic on Thatcher and Highland. Planned / Ongoing Steps that that are being developed include:

· A corridor study that will include the town owned portions of Route 28 from Blue Hills Parkway to Randolph Avenue. This study will focus on the efficient operation of traffic signals and other structural and enforcement efforts that should be made to make the route more desirable to motorists

· The introduction of additional traffic calming devices along the cut through route. These include raised intersections in two locations on Thacher Street. These have been designed but await funding.

· Redesign of the Highland Street drive from Milton Hospital to reduce access from the South. (The hospital generates between 10 and 20 % of the total traffic on Highland Street.) Allowing only left turns in from Highland and right turns out from the Hospital would reduce the volume of hospital traffic on Highland directing it instead to Reedsdale Drive and the Reedsdale Road.

· Additional signing on Highland including refreshing the current speed limit postings and the addition of new advisory reduced speed and warning signage in the Marshall Road area. Also, refresh pavement markings.