funding for school zone safety lights in Franklin put back in the budget

State funding for traffic signals for additional locations within Franklin was part of the current FY 2015 budget, vetoed by the Governor and re-instated last week. Milford Daily News reports:

The other amendment, which asked for $60,000 to fund the installation and operation of solar-powered school zone safety lights in Franklin, was also vetoed. 

Roy last month said he called the governor’s office asking for an explanation and was told Patrick "was eliminating all earmarks in the budget." 

And with the new Franklin High School set to open this fall, Roy said the town’s "reasonable request" would help mitigate traffic in the school-heavy area. 

"To me, these were two very important issues for both Franklin and Medway," Roy said before he asked the House and Senate to override the vetoes.

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140804/NEWS/140809091/1994/NEWS


What kind of traffic signals are these? Similar to the one installed on King St by the Parmenter School.

pedestrian traffic signal on King St

BJ's Intersection

The improved signage for the intersection of Forge Parkway and West Central St has apparently reduced the number of traffic incidents. You may recall that for a period of time, the neighborhood was quite upset when  traffic signals were removed by the state. Several accidents occurred some of them with significant injury. Franklin worked with MassDOT to improve the stop signs at the intersection.

In my own use of the intersection, it seems much better behaved than the 'wild west' it used to be.

early warning stop sign ahead

stop sign has blinking lights all around the edge

the intersection is a wide one with good views

High school traffic pattern

With the ongoing (on schedule and on budget) construction of the new high school building, the work on the parking lots reported earlier this week has resulted in a revised traffic flow. The revised flow is shown in the PDF below. For those dropping off students, there are two loops available. One from Oak St and one via Panther Way.




Parking lot photos
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/new-franklin-high-school-parking.html

All other high school building related posts are collected in one place
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

Getting ready to slow down on King St

The meetings around the safety of the school crossing on King St at Wachusett St for the students going to the Parmenter Elementary School made promises that are about to be delivered.

Construction on the past couple of days have resulted in some tree branches trimmed back

note: tree branches trimmed

one tree removed

note: stump and sawdust remains where tree was

poles installed for better marking of the crossing

new sign pole on corner

speed warning signs have been installed. This one shown is on King St heading to i495. There is a similar one on King St heading towards Wachusett St.

new speed sign

With school opening on Tuesday, the work to finish the installation seems like it can be completed on Monday.


From the archives
the meeting at Parmenter with Franklin officials was mentioned during the January Town Council meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-closing.html

the plan to prepare for this installation was voted on and approved by the Finance Committee in March and then by the Town Council
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/delcarte-recreation-proposal.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-mar-27.html

Pantherbook: Goodbye Access Road

The School Building Committee has an update scheduled for Weds Nov 14 in the Council Chambers at 7:00 PM.The update will cover the different stages of construction, how the traffic patterns will be affected and where the project is currently. This will be a good time to hear and discuss what is being planned for traffic during the construction that will be taking place for the next two years.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Goodbye Access Road.

via Pantherbook by brittanylandry on 11/2/12

The new school is on it's way and will begin construction in November,but with the access road being cut off by Monday, students are forced to leave earlier in the mornings, resulting in even less sleep for us.

I already have to make my way through the day running on six or sometimes less hours of sleep with all my homework, after school activities and attempting to make time for my social life. Getting up earlier just to get to school is the worst thing anyone could tell me right now.

I am a junior in Franklin and I will not even benefit from the new high school. I do not see the new school  as a benefit to me therefore I am frustrated that I will have to wake up earlier just to be able to park in my school!

Even with the access road  helping the flow of traffic into the bustling high school in the morning, there is still an overflowing amount of cars piling into the parking lot.

"It takes me long enough to get here with all the traffic in the morning already. I park in H wing so I don't use the access road but I see how many cars go through the road to get to school after dropping off a sibling or something" says Erica Lutazzi, Junior at Franklin High School.
I have to drop off my sibling before I get to school and then use the access as an easy way to get into the senior parking lot. Without the access road I will just be even later arriving, and I get up at 5:45 every morning!

"I am not worried about the access road being shut down but for others it could be an issue" says Lutazzi.

While some students don't see the problem with the road being closed off while the new school is under construction, I see this as another struggle for me to get to school every morning.

What is the faculty going to do to help the overflowing traffic? Do we have to wake up even earlier just to get a parking spot? All I know is I get up early enough and cannot see many other students waking up that much earlier either.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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"Real time traffic data"

If you are traveling up to NH along i93 or to the Cape, there is additional information now becoming available on current traffic conditions for those areas:

MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey today unveiled new message boards offering real time traffic information along the Interstate 93 corridor from Canton to the New Hampshire border. 

At the same time, MassDOT is also helping Cape Cod travelers by rolling out new traffic resources, including new online cameras showing road conditions on Route 6 Westbound and using message boards to share with drivers the extent of the heavy traffic leaving the Cape on Sundays.

Read more about the real-time traffic updates here
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2012/07/july-4-holiday-traffic.html

"troublesome intersection"

A study conducted by MassDOT, however, said there isn't enough traffic to warrant more than the two stop signs. 

"(The study) shows that this intersection doesn't meet any of the federal requirements to have a signal there, which is why we're not putting one back there," said Michael Verseckes, a MassDOT spokesman. "The traffic study that was done showed that this was the proper treatment for this intersection." 

Conlyn Avenue resident Lauren Chousa drew up a petition signed by 176 neighbors and sent it to MassDOT in late October, requesting a deeper look at the intersection. 

Several residents will be on hand at Monday's Planning Board meeting, where the board is expected to make a decision on BJ's request for longer hours.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x251090787/Traffic-light-decision-leaves-Franklin-residents-in-a-lurch#ixzz1cp42cqYp

"proposed site plan modification would change BJ's hours"

"They're going to be open more hours, which means more people blowing out of BJ's," said Gordon Jenkins, who lives on Conlyn Avenue, which runs behind the store. "Something has got to be done about that (intersection)." 

Neighbors at last night's meeting live in a subdivision next to the store, and contend they can only leave their neighborhood through the intersection of West Central Street and Corporate Drive, where BJ's is located. 

A blinking yellow light faces motorists driving on West Central Street, while a blinking red light faces those coming out of Corporate Drive. 

"We have to pass through that intersection to get out, we're basically an island," said Lauren Chousa, who said she was the 11th person in her neighborhood to get into an accident at the intersection. "The only way to get to and from our street is through this intersection, and to drive through it is honestly a nightmare."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x603496464/Franklin-planners-put-off-decision-on-BJs-hours#ixzz1cRkqE2wR



View Larger Map

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.

Thank you for visiting.


If you haven't considered subscribing via email, please do so. You'll get one email each day just after 9:00 AM with what has been published since the prior email. You can select the daily updates from Franklin Matters, or chose the weekly review from Franklin Matters Weekly.

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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.

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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