More efficient traffic flow on Lake Street will become an enticing draw for drivers on congested parallel routes like Rt. 16. This could easily lead to a net increase in cars and, in the long run, result in negligible decrease in driver delays and queuing.
Currently, the nice-weather traffic on the Minuteman regulates the traffic queue back to Rt. 2…if that were to go away, the long queue might simply move east to the Mass Ave light. This could result in more drivers using Brooks, Chandler and other side streets as a cut-thru to avoid the Mass Ave singal. (This potential was acknowledged in the TAC report and remedies such as signal re-timing and traffic calming on neighborhood side streets were suggested.)
While there are near misses for sure, there have been very few crashes involving pedestrians or bicyclists at the crossing (roughly one per year, according to the TAC report.) Why? Because the somewhat ambiguous nature of the current condition encourages everyone to slow down. The majority of all users cautiously approach the crossing at most hours of the day. A traffic light will send the signal to drivers that they can maintain their speed — typically 30 to 40 mph, off-peak — when they have the double green light. This could make the currently safe (though sometimes awkward) intersection more dangerous.
Likewise for bicyclists. When car traffic has a red light, Minuteman pathway traffic will have the right of way and many cyclists will proceed across Lake Street without slowing down. This could be hazardous to pedestrian cross-traffic, especially during Hardy School drop-off period. Again, what is now a relatively self-regulating situation (though not perfect by any stretch) could be more hazardous with a traffic signal.
Human nature being what it is, during off peak periods, it is very likely that pedestrians, runners and bicyclists will cross against the light when they see a gap in traffic. Unlike some of the Minuteman’s signalized intersections in Lexington, the Lake Street crossing is quite narrow and can be crossed in only a few short seconds. While this behavior should not be condoned, it is inevitable. Again, we are concerned that a traffic signal could increase the number of crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists from the 1-2 per year in recent years to far higher numbers in the future.
We suspect that there are a variety of opinions about this issue. We encourage those who share our concerns, or who feel otherwise, to attend the BOS meeting on Monday. It will be important to hear the details of what TAC has to report, and for the Board to understand what East Arlington residents and other Minuteman pathway users think about this potential project.
This viewpint was published Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, and updated Feb. 4.
