Politics & Government

West Side Residents Want Traffic Slowed on Their Streets

Residents met in response to the Waltham Street apartments proposal, but they say the problem already exists.

West Side residents want to see steps taken to slow traffic down in their neighborhood roads, whether or not the Waltham Street apartment complex is approved.

The group that gathered Wednesday night at the Watertown Police Station said they do not want to see , next to the Jewish Community Day School. They say traffic is already bad and they worry it will just get worse if the project is approved.

Rutland Street resident Joe Berkeley said he does not believe the project fits into the neighborhood, with hundreds of apartments going into an area of single-family homes.

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“I hate talking about what we want if it is approved, it’s almost giving in,” Berkeley said.

He worries that Rutland Street will be the first one used by people in the apartments to get up to Main Street.

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Evans Street resident John McElhenny, said he wants to make sure the streets are safe for the families and children in the area.

“The main thing is to think of the good of the neighborhood, and the safety,” McElhenny said. “All the development coming to town is impinging on the neighborhood and now it is coming into the neighborhood.”

As part of the proposal, developers Wood Partners agreed to make the intersection of Bridge and Waltham streets a four-way stop. They will also install new sidewalks on Waltham Street from the Waltham line to Stanley Avenue.

Residents were asked to consider what measures they would like to see in on their streets to calm traffic.

Edward Road resident Jim Daly said he has seen speed bumps on Maplewood Street in the East Side of town.

“Is that working? Can we do that on our streets?” Daly asked.

The bumps on Maplewood Street are known as "speed humps," because they are wider than the speed bumps, said Steve Magoon, director of Economic Development and Planning.

“The speed humps work,” Magoon said. “They make it uncomfortable for people to drive fast.”

Others complained about trucks coming down their road. State Rep. John Lawn said the town put up “No Trucks” signs on some streets, but were forced to take them down.

“A Waltham resident said it is not legal, you can’t prohibit trucks of all tonnage,” Lawn said.

Others suggested stop signs in other intersections, such as at Acton Street and Rosedale Road, where .

Some worried that the improvements would be contingent on approval of the apartments, and they said the problem already exists.

Lawn said he and District D Town Councilor Ken Woodland will advocate for the changes to be done whether or not the project is approved.

“I will take the suggestions to the Traffic Commission to see if what makes sense an what works,” Lawn said.

The reason to discuss the changes at the same time as the project, Magoon said, is deciding who will pay for the measures.

“This is an opportunity for the developer to pay for it, not the town,” Magoon said. “It is significant. We won’t have to wait and compete with (road) projects in the rest of town.”

The Planning Board is expected to vote on the Waltham Street project at its April meeting.


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