Improving the Flow of Traffic — File 200263

Improving the Flow of Traffic in Magoun Square During Rush Hour In my two years as Ward 5 Alderman I have regularly gotten complaints from residents about the long lines of traffic on Medford St during rush hour and the timing of traffic signals at Broadway/Medford St and Lowell/Medford St. I have filed several Board orders relating to the problems there during that time. While there have been some minor improvements, such as the "Don't block the intersection" sign at Lowell and Medford Streets, my requests and those of other Ward 5 residents for improvements the intersection have not been implemented. Here are some of the suggestions that I have received from Ward 5 residents. I respectfully ask that the Traffic and Parking Department analyze them, consider implementing them, and report to this Board on why or why not they will be implemented: 1) In addition to the "Don't block the intersection" sign at Lowell and Medford Streets, paint lines at the intersection to demarcate the box area that should not be blocked. 2) The backup of traffic on Medford St from Broadway, often stretching to Partridge Ave, is far, far longer than the traffic on any of the other streets that go into the Magoun Square Broadway intersection. Could the light at Medford and Broadway be re-timed during rush hours to lengthen the amount of time that vehicles have to move off of Medford Street so the traffic doesn't back up so far? 3) Could a "smart" traffic light be installed at Lowell St where it enters Medford to better manage the flow of traffic there? Perhaps this could be paid for with some of the $220,000 of Maxwell's Green mitigation funds that have been sitting unused for over five years now. 4) For the Lowell and Medford St intersection, could the lights for Medford Street be flashing yellow and for Lowell Street be flashing red with the lights to be activated by depressing the pedestrian crosswalk button? I look forward to your responses to these suggestions. Mark Niedergang Ward 5 Alderman