Framingham Traffic Commission Considering Removal of Route 135 Traffic Island

By Grace Mayer

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FRAMINGHAM – Two plans for relocating or removing the median and crosswalk at Waverly Street were presented at the virtual Framingham Traffic Commission meeting held Tuesday, May 25.

Justin Curewitz, an employee from BETA Group, an engineering, planning and construction service, presented two plans to the Traffic Commission meeting for relocating or removing the crosswalk and median island located along Route 135 in downtown Framingham.

The traffic island is located just south of the the Route 135 and Route 126 intersection in downtown Framingham, near the MBTA commuter rail station.

The first option entailed relocating both the crosswalk and median, and three parking spaces, but would expand the left turn lane.

The second option proposed the removal of the crosswalk, which would extend the left turn lane and remove four parking spaces—three of which would be relocated. 

Although removing the cross walk would move traffic more efficiently and lead to less traffic pile up, Traffic Commission Chair William Sedewitz said it could also create a safety issue for pedestrians, who may opt to jaywalk where the crosswalk used to be located.

A motion was made to table the discussion until the June Traffic Commission meeting, and approved.

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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.