The Internal Traffic Committee met in Conference Room B, 3rd floor Town Hall at 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts. At 10:00 AM the Committee called the meeting to order.
Present: Chief John Blood, Tony Marques, Chief Richard Braga, and Jeff Wood
Traffic Issues
Washington/RK Washington Square
The committee met with Dave Baker representing RK Associates & Joe Johnson of GPI, the design engineers of the Washington St Reconstruction Project. Mr. Johnson walked members through the design of the area around/near RK Washington Square plaza. Proposed changes were: 1) Applebee’s should become a full access driveway, 2) CVS entrance becomes a right in/right out driveway. He reminded everyone that the “character of the roadway was changing considerably.”
Mr. Baker was very surprised at the changes & concerned about the inner flow of traffic, specifically in regard to Dunkin Donuts. The new driveway provisions would cut DD drive through flow in half. He asked Mr. Johnson how GPI envisioned internal circulation functioning with the newly proposed entrances? He asked if there was enough sight distance to the newly proposed round-a-bout with crosswalks to keep the entrances as is?
Michelle Ciccolo of the Community Development office proposed changing traffic flow in front of Verizon/Hair Cuttery/Dunkin Donuts from one way south to north, to one way in the other direction, from north to south.
Mr. Baker was concerned about queuing. He was afraid that there may not be enough room to stack cars waiting for the drive through & those that are trying to park in front. He said he understands if GPI says the sightlines are not safe to leave the driveways as they are today, but then he will argue value with MassDOT, as the changes will seriously affect his business. Ms. Ciccolo was concerned about an increased value to the ROW possibly resulting in MassDOT’s delaying or scrapping the project althogether.
Mr. Marques asked GPI how many lanes of traffic would be at that specific location. Mr. Johnson pointed out that there would now be 4 lanes of traffic. Cars making left turn movements in the southbound lane would no longer be blocking traffic as it does today.
Chief Braga said he was not opposed to leaving the driveways as is, provided that the engineers were not concerned about the sightlines. Mr. Johnson was of the opinion that the sight lines would not be impacted. Chief Blood added that if things were left as is, it “would not be making things worse.”
Mr. Marques showed concern about what the roadway & traffic data would look like 1 – 5 years from now. If data proves that the entrances are unsafe, they would need to be re-designed. The committee agreed that the area should be reviewed after construction is completed.
Ms. Ciccolo brought up her concern for changes in the design drawings that could trigger ROW changes. Less ROW is required for a full access driveway at Applebee’s that the existing R in/R out. Mr. Baker said he would like to talk to Christer Ericsson of GPI regarding the ROW & potential configuration.
Mr. Johnson concurred and also expressed his apprehension at being able to keep the R in/R out at Applebee’s. An effective island will not fit in the existing ROW layout. He will remove the island from the design drawings & leave the driveway width/configuration as is. But they could do scored concrete or striping. Ms. Ciccolo said the Town could also put signage up. Although many citizens ignore the signs, signage would allow the Town to enforce illegal turns.
Mr. Johnson said that the final ROW plans would be approved next week. Any construction changes made as a result of this hearing would be reflected in the final PS &E.
Ms. Ciccolo asked what would happen if the ROW changed after the ROW plans had been approved. Mr. Johnson said they would have to submit an amended ROW plan to MassDOT.
Chief Blood made a motion, seconded by Tony Marques to maintain the Right In/Right Out entrance at Applebee’s & keep the entrance at RK Washington Square Plaza as full access.
Vote: 4 – 0.
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