Traffic Commission approves series of actions to improve Waltham roads

The Traffic Commission at its May 15 meeting:

• directed the Traffic Engineering Department to construct curb extensions where Moody Street intersects with Crescent and Spruce streets.
• directed the Traffic Engineering Department to install an all-way stop at the intersection of Adams and Cherry streets – a move supported by both Ward 9 Councilor Robert Logan and Ward 8 Councilor Cathyann Harris.
• directed the Traffic Engineering Department to install warning signs that read “traffic does not stop” under stop signs at the Adams and Spruce street intersection, a move intended to reduce the number of crashes at that intersection.
• directed the Traffic Engineering Department to conduct a speed safety study of Silver Hill Lane. Ward 3 Councilor Bill Hanley said that the street acts as a cut-through route from Lincoln Street to Trapelo Road, and residents have complained of vehicles speeding down the street.
• directed the Traffic Engineering Department to study the need for a rectangular rapid flashing beacon, a flashing light at crosswalks used to warn drivers of pedestrians, at the crosswalks near the new park at 200 Trapelo Road.
• directed the Traffic Engineering Department to install an RRFB at the intersection of Bacon Street, Plympton Street and Athletic Field Road to help prevent crashes at the intersection.
• filed a request to create a designated bike lane between Bentley University’s campus and downtown Waltham. City Clerk Joe Vizard remarked that the commission could potentially look at alternatives for new bike lanes off of the Riverwalk and Rail Trail.
• approved increasing the amount of time the signal at the intersection of Elm, Church and Main streets signifies to pedestrians that it’s safe to cross.
• approved optimizing the signal timings of traffic signals at the intersection of Prospect, Main and Hammond streets.