Framingham Traffic Commission Rejects Flashing Beacon Crosswalk at Temple Street & Woodleigh Road

By Grace Mayer

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FRAMINGHAM – A request for a crosswalk with a rectangular rapid flash beacon (RRFB) located at Temple Street and Woodleigh Road, was denied by the Framingham Traffic Commission at its meeting on Tuesday, May 25.

There is currently a crosswalk located at Woodleigh Road and Temple Street, but without an RRFB.

In order for the Traffic Commission to go forward with adding a crosswalk with RRFB, the intersection must meet six criteria. It only met five. The crosswalk does not generate enough foot traffic for the Traffic Commission to proceed with plans for implementing a crosswalk, said Framingham Traffic Commission Chair William Sedewitz. 

The data collected did not meet the requirement of 20 pedestrians crossing during a peak hour. Data was collected on both week days and weekend dates from January to May.

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Rachel Marsh, a resident near the street, said the data collection wouldn’t see the numbers increase, because most people have refused to cross the street because it’s dangerous to cross.

Marsh shared a personal example of how she and her son were nearly hit by a car when crossing the street. 

Sedewitz said at this time, the Traffic Commission would not proceed with a plan for adding a crosswalk with a RRFB at Temple Street and Woodleigh Road.

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Grace Mayer is a senior at Boston College studying marketing and journalism. She is also the head arts editor for Boston College’s newspaper, The Heights, where she’s covered the arts beat for three years. She is excited to report on a variety of beats for Framingham SOURCE this summer. You can contact her at gemayer007@gmail.com.