In the News - traffic mitigation, zoning changes

Franklin officials want developer to mitigate traffic

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

New contributor Diane Field report on the Planning Board meeting here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/proposed-taco-bell-wendys-needs-more.html

Franklin officials want to hear objections to downtown zoning changes

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

You find good content here

I don't spend much time on these numbers but bear with me for a moment to share the results. This first chart shows the traffic growth year by year. I have excluded the last 2 months of 2007 and the first month of 2011 in this view focused on complete years.

The chart depicts page views in green. Page views are when each post is read. Unique visitors are in blue. We have almost doubled from 15,000 to 28,000 and then added another 14,000 to end up at 42,000 visitors for 2010. The returning visitors are calculated from the cookie in your browser and for a variety of reasons they are less accurate. They are a subset of the unique visitors.

January is the beginning of the new year and if this traffic volume reliably indicates a trend, we are off to a good start. We have grown in volume each January. The page reads are in blue and the unique visitors are in maroon.

Why would the numbers continue to grow?
The numbers tell me that you are continuing to find good content here.

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Franklin, MA

Traffic Sample on RT 140 (video)

While running Tuesday morning (12/21/10), I stopped to record with my Android phone this video segment of traffic on RT 140 in front of the former KofC building.

Not a great time to sample the traffic as neither the Taco Bell nor Wendy's would be open at this time (about 8:30 AM). A better time would be around lunch or in the evening rush hour.

The traffic was also somewhat slower today due to the snowy road conditions. It would be quicker if the roads were dry.

Would MA Highway consider lowering the speed limit from 40 to 30? I figure that would help. Most folks tend to go over the speed posted limit anyway so if it is posted at 40 folks will go 45-50. If posted at 30, folks will go 35-40. Getting the traffic to go slower would allow more time for a decision on when to safely turn.



What do you think?



Franklin, MA

Traffic Survey Comments - Yes and No

The survey conducted on the Franklin Downtown Partnership website resulted in many comments for an against the proposal to change the Main St traffic flow from 1-way to 2-way.

While the survey is not an exact science nor can the results be taken as an 'official' reflection of the will of the people, the comments do provide valuable insights.

While the Town Council did indicate that they are for the change to 2-way traffic, they will still need to vote on a bylaw change to do so. The bylaw change will require additional discussion at 2 public meetings (of the Town Council).

What do I think one should take from the comments?
The need for better communication on the details, the reasons, and the numbers remains great. While some number of folks have spent a lot of time working on this over the years, and I have great respect for that effort, there are folks who are just now becoming aware of it, who need to be able to find clear information on what the change is and how it was arrived at.

As much time as I personally have spent reporting on what is happening in and around Franklin, I do not feel that I have all my questions answered. This is what is continuing to drive my own efforts to share what information I can. This website (Franklin Matters) and the information shared here is not and has never been about me. I truly believe that Franklin matters. I do believe that information sharing can be improved. Franklin doesn't have nor can it afford a "Community Information Director". Hence I have assumed that title on a volunteer basis.


These are the comments associated with NO

Comments to Traffic Survey Where They Responded No


These are the comments associated with YES

Comments to Traffic Survey Where They Responded Yes

Prior posts
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/downtown-traffic-survey-says.html


Franklin, MA

In the News - traffic flow, bake sale, Lincoln St

Franklin to make downtown roads two-way

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

St. Mary’s women’s club of Franklin sets bake sale

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin road closed Saturday

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - traffic, continued

Nutting - the south bound RT 140 traffic will still be a backup, today and the future, everything else will be better

Jones - Safety is the number one issue for me

Vallee - nothing is perfect, the folks were against the change when we went from 2 way to 1 way in the 70's

2. Resolution 10-56: Endorsement of Plan for Two-Way Vehicular Traffic on Emmons, West Central and Main Streets as Element of Downtown Revitalization Project


motion to waive the reading, passed 8-0
motion to approve, passed 8-0



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - presentation on traffic flow

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – Downtown Franklin Enhancement Project Proposed Traffic Circulation – Westin & Sampson
Gene Bollinger, Bill Paley (spelling?)

We have been accumulating the grant money since it was awarded in 2004.
A public hearing for the 25% design position, then another for the 75% design, with the hope of getting a shovel in the ground for 2012.
Town Council would have to change the bylaws to change the traffic flow
Intent is to gain the Council endorsement for the traffic changes
This is less intensive than what was done previously
Some property taking is anticipated but nothing major, just strips here and there to enable the crossings and turnings

Interest is to come away with your comments and submit the 25% design to MassDOT
Continue to interact with the public, various department heads, Dean College, Downtown Partnership, etc.

The first board identifies the section of the various projects (HPP and PWED)
The PWED can go sooner as it does not require MassDOT approval.
Utility work already underway to try and compress the overall construction schedule and minimize disruption.
End of curb to end of curb, new or re-surfaced roadways, expanded sidewalks for ADA access.
Light pole, street furnishings, etc.

Traffic circulation would stay as is with the exception of the 1-way to 2-way change on Main St

Emmons, West Central - This intersection offers a level of service B, (A is the top, F is the bottom)
Triangle - This intersection offers a level of service C
all the traffic numbers are based upon the peak period.
Summer St is currently rated an F, it would improve to an A with the light and synchronized with the others
Main St/Emmons - Main would be free flow, Emmons would be stop signed

There are raised tables downtown and near Dean, an elongated speed bump to help the walkers

Signalizing the intersections creates gaps in the traffic where there are no gaps with no signals today

Multiple questions and answers.  This part of the meeting will definitely be better to listen/watch to

3 minute recess


Franklin, MA

Downtown Improvement Project - Survey

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has opened a survey to gather input on the proposal to change the traffic pattern downtown from 1-way to 2-way on Main St.

The Partnership is hosting this survey on their newly revamped website:
http://franklindowntownpartnership.blogspot.com/


You can go directly to the survey here:
http://franklindowntownpartnership.blogspot.com/2010/09/downtown-improvement-project-survey.html


Note: As a member of the Downtown Partnership, I helped to revamp the website. Many thanks to my daughter Allison for her assistance with the website header. The individual photos were taken by Lisa Piana, Terri Frank, and myself. Allison 'magically' put them together with the Partnership logo for us.



Franklin, MA

In the News - traffic flow

Franklin Council debates traffic flow downtown

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Traffic Alert: MassPike Overnight Tunnel Closures

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Traffic Alert: MassPike Overnight Tunnel Closures

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 10/20/09

To allow for tunnel construction and inspection work in the Prudential Tunnel, I-90 (MassPike) East between Exit #22 (Prudential Center/Copley Square) and South Boston will be closed at night intermittently throughout October and November beginning tonight Tuesday, October 20, 2009 and tomorrow night Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning. Direct access to the Ted Williams Tunnel from Frontage Road, and South Boston will remain open.

All traffic will be directed off the Turnpike at Copley Square onto Stuart Street.  Drivers should follow the posted detour route on Stuart Street, Arlington Street, and Herald Street and continue following the posted detour signs to their destinations, as indicated below:

To South Station, Downtown and I-93 North: From Herald Street, turn right onto Albany Street.  From Albany Street, take left onto Broadway Connector and follow the existing signs. Alternate route would be to exit Masspike at Allston/Brighton Tolls and travel east on Storrow Drive.

To Massachusetts Avenue: Turn right onto Albany Street.  Continue south on Albany Street to Massachusetts Avenue.

To I-93 South: From Herald Street, at the Albany Street intersection, take first left onto the I-93 South on-ramp.

To I-90 East/South Boston/Airport: Turn right onto Albany Street.  Continue south on Albany Street and use the Ramp to I-90 East from the Albany Street Connector.
In addition, drivers should be aware that the Massachusetts Highway Department will continue to have lane closures on I-93 bridge deck repairs south of the city near Neponset Circle for its interstate maintenance project.  Bridge deck repairs and conduit work for highway lighting replacement will continue on I-93 north of the city near the Mystic River crossing.
Check all MassPike traffic advisories here.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

New turn available at King/140

There is a new left turn/drive straight lane alongside a right turn only lane when you travel King Street approaching 140.

This picture shows the lane markings with no cars blocking the view (yes, a lucky bit of timing).



An even luckier bit of timing shows this picture with a red light for the King St traffic. The right lane is making a right turn as the West bound 140 traffic is turning on to King St while the East bound 140 traffic is sitting at their red light.



The pedestrian and traffic light island was shortened to widen the intersection allowing the three lanes (one going out King St to i495, and the two lanes heading from King towards Chestnut St).

This is part of the traffic preparations for the Walgreens to open on the corner later this year.

"open the store in April 2010"

Board OKs Walgreens

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

The Planning Board last night approved Arista Development's special site plan to build a Walgreens at the former Four Corners School.

Arista Development LLC, of Norwood, plans to build a single-story, 14,500-square-foot building with a drive-through window (along Cross Street) and 60 parking spots, at the intersection of Rte. 140 and King Street.

The plan features two entrances: A single-car entry/exit via Cross Street and a double exit and single entry along King Street.

Read the full article about the Walgreens coming to Franklin in the Milford Daily News here.

I think it is interesting that during the Planning Board meeting of 1/26/09 much of the discussion around the traffic mitigation was in the timing of the plans coming to the Town so they the work could be completed by the scheduled store opening in Sep/Oct.

Now the schedule is back to April. That reschedule should provide plenty of time for the traffic work on the corner.

The video of the Planning Board meeting for Jan 26 2009 can be found on the Town website here