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Night time truck ban misses the problem, residents say
By Frank Mortimer
Selectmen Nov. 25 voted for a nighttime truck exclusion for Beach and North Streets, but a resident complained that most trucks rumble through by day, not night.
Board members agreed, but said the state allows a truck exclusion based on measured traffic, and that a study did not meet the criteria for a daytime ban on trucks.
As Patriot Place and other area businesses grow, another study can be considered in the future, possibly with different results.
The Beach Street resident, who declined to give his name, said traffic calming devices installed on Beach Street near Mechanic Street have done little to exclude large vehicles, and that some drivers speed 50 to 60 mph through the residential neighborhood.
He complained that State Police escorting buses for New England Patriot games are the worst speed offenders.
The Nov. 25 public hearing was scheduled to amend the town’s traffic regulations to exclude heavy commercial vehicles from the two streets.
Town planner Mark Resnick said the truck exclusion would be in effect 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week.
As part of the Patriot Place construction mitigation package, the Kraft Group agreed to prepare a truck exclusion study.
Based on that study by Vanesse & Associates, Inc., the Massachusetts Highway Department gave the green light for the nighttime truck ban. MassHighway would issue the final permit after selectmen amend the town’s traffic rules and orders.
During public hearings when Patriot Place was proposed, residents expressed concerns about traffic speed, pedestrian safety and heavy truck noise and dangers.
The mitigation package addresses all three issues, Resnick noted.
Traffic calming structures have been installed on Beach Street, sidewalks have been extended on North Street, and the 12-hour truck exclusion is on the way.
Dennis Naughton of Everett Lane thanked selectmen for the nighttime ban and asked the board to keep looking at what can be done to extend the ban to 24 hours.
When the Kraft Group paid for construction of the Beach Street sidewalk as part of its mitigation agreement with the town, Beach Street was further narrowed, Naughton pointed out. When the snows come, he said, the snowbanks will reduce the road width further.
Board members agreed, but said the state allows a truck exclusion based on measured traffic, and that a study did not meet the criteria for a daytime ban on trucks.
As Patriot Place and other area businesses grow, another study can be considered in the future, possibly with different results.
The Beach Street resident, who declined to give his name, said traffic calming devices installed on Beach Street near Mechanic Street have done little to exclude large vehicles, and that some drivers speed 50 to 60 mph through the residential neighborhood.
He complained that State Police escorting buses for New England Patriot games are the worst speed offenders.
The Nov. 25 public hearing was scheduled to amend the town’s traffic regulations to exclude heavy commercial vehicles from the two streets.
Town planner Mark Resnick said the truck exclusion would be in effect 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week.
As part of the Patriot Place construction mitigation package, the Kraft Group agreed to prepare a truck exclusion study.
Based on that study by Vanesse & Associates, Inc., the Massachusetts Highway Department gave the green light for the nighttime truck ban. MassHighway would issue the final permit after selectmen amend the town’s traffic rules and orders.
During public hearings when Patriot Place was proposed, residents expressed concerns about traffic speed, pedestrian safety and heavy truck noise and dangers.
The mitigation package addresses all three issues, Resnick noted.
Traffic calming structures have been installed on Beach Street, sidewalks have been extended on North Street, and the 12-hour truck exclusion is on the way.
Dennis Naughton of Everett Lane thanked selectmen for the nighttime ban and asked the board to keep looking at what can be done to extend the ban to 24 hours.
When the Kraft Group paid for construction of the Beach Street sidewalk as part of its mitigation agreement with the town, Beach Street was further narrowed, Naughton pointed out. When the snows come, he said, the snowbanks will reduce the road width further.
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