Traffic Commission Roundup

The Traffic Commission approved redesigns and studies on intersections in Waltham to improve traffic flow and safety throughout the city.

Redesigns included new stop signs, traffic lights and turn lanes.

Below is a summary of the redesigns and studies that were approved at last Thursday’s meeting.

Four-way stop at Highland and Curtis approved

The Traffic Commission approved a four-way stop at the intersection of Highland and Curtis streets.

The area was a part of the West End Traffic Report, which aimed to mitigate the number of cars using intersections in the West End neighborhood to avoid traffic on main roadways such as Prospect, Main and South streets.

The intersection of Highland and Curtis streets was one of the areas being used by drivers as a cut-through to avoid traffic on the main roads.

To address this, the report recommended that the Traffic Commission study specific intersections, including the Highland-Curtis one, and implement improvements.

Ward 9 Councilor Robert G. Logan, who represents the area, said residents told him that there had been an increase in crashes at the intersection due to drivers using it as a shortcut.

“That’s what’s creating the problem, and the solution is a four-way stop,” he said.

Michael Garvin, the city’s senior traffic engineer, told the Traffic Commission that this four-way stop would address these safety concerns.

This recommendation was approved unanimously.

Parking for outdoor dining on Moody Street approved

The Traffic Commission approved parameters for outdoor dining on Moody Street. 

Under the approval, restaurants can use parking spaces and lanes in front of their restaurant if they receive a permit from the Traffic Engineering Department.

The commission also recommended that outdoor dining take place from May 23 to Sept 1.

Restaurants can also use spaces in front of neighboring businesses provided they receive permission from the owners.

Restaurants interested in participating must first apply for a sidewalk permit from the City Council and Mayor Jeanette A. McCarthy. Restaurants will then need to petition the Traffic Engineering Department for the parking permit, and then finally, the License Commission to be able to serve food and drink outdoors.

Traffic engineer opposes traffic bump on Longfellow Road

The Traffic Commission did not decide to put a traffic bump on Longfellow Road. This action went against the opinion of Waltham Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy.

McCarthy had requested a traffic bump last year and had told the Traffic Commission at an April 2024 meeting that a resident had expressed concern about trucks driving through the street at night.

Following that meeting, the Traffic Commission asked Garvin to study the number of trucks using the street.

Garvin presented his findings to the Traffic Commission on Dec. 19, saying that only 1.1% of vehicles traveling through the street were trucks.

On Jan. 25, the commission asked Garvin to consider creating a design for a speed bump as an alternative to a truck restriction.

During last Thursday’s meeting, Garvin presented the design but reiterated that he disagreed with it.

“In my opinion, this traffic calming device isn’t necessary at all, since the actual data does not indicate a problem with traffic or excessive speeds,” he said.

Other notable traffic items

• Traffic on Lexington Street north of Trapelo Road will be limited to northbound only so that the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority can work on pipes at the Waltham and Lexington lines. 
• Southbound traffic will be detoured at Concord Avenue in Lexington. Traffic heading southbound toward Lexington Street from Concord Avenue would be detoured to Smith Street. 
• The Traffic Commission approved a redesign for the intersection of Maple and Moody streets. The redesign includes new traffic lights and designated left turn lanes for traffic turning onto Moody Street from Maple Street.
• The Traffic Commission directed Garvin to conduct a safety study for the intersection of Lexington and Beaver streets. This follows the two recent crashes at the intersection. 

CORRECTION: The story originally reported that the Traffic Commission had given approval for outdoor dining. Rather, it approved the use of parking spaces for outdoor dining.