The new traffic light will be in a test phase and only appear flashing (red on Mill Brook Drive, yellow on Mill Street) for the next few weeks. / Carol Beggy photo
Arlington has installed a new traffic light at the intersection of Mill Street and Mill Brook Drive to better control the flow of traffic from Arlington High School (AHS) onto busy Mill Street. The move came after town committees reviewed several years of traffic studies performed by the town.
Because this intersection is adjacent to AHS, the school’s principal Dr. Matthew Janger sent a message to community members at the beginning of September, writing that the new addition is part of efforts to manage traffic and increase safety, specifically student safety.
According to Jeff Thielman, School Committee member and chair of the AHS Building Committee, detailed traffic assessments of intersections near the High School were conducted in 2018, and those findings were presented to the Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC).
After reviewing the reports and additional studies performed in 2020, TAC members recommended a new light be installed at the Mill Street and Mill Brook Drive intersection to improve traffic flow, especially during peak hours (morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up).
Mill Street is just two-tenths of a mile long, but carries thousands of commuters and other traffic from Mass. Avenue to Summer Street. The Minuteman Bikeway crosses Mill Street a short distance from Mill Brook Drive, which often causes traffic to back up in both directions.
Principal Janger wrote to the AHS community that the light will be in a test phase and only appear flashing (red on Mill Brook Drive, yellow on Mill Street) for the next few weeks. After the test phase, the light is set to be operational at all times and will have crosswalk buttons. More details about the operation of the new light can be read below, or click here >>
During peak school hours in the morning and afternoon, the light is wired to prioritize traffic entering and exiting Mill Brook Drive. The light operates on a standard timing sequence outside of those peak hours.
Residents with questions or concerns about the new traffic light are advised to contact members of the Arlington High School Building Project or the Traffic Advisory Committee.
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This news announcement based on information from the town website and Public Information Officer Joan Roman was published on Sept. 19, 2024.
