Selectmen Hear Public Backlash to the Old Billerica Intersection

By Peter Manning

Changes to the Old Billerica Road intersection continue to draw public interest, with some 60 residents attending the November 19 Selectmen’s meeting.

David Manugian, Bedford’s Director of Public Works, kicked off the discussion with a summary of past and future DPW projects. The department is experimenting with more eco-friendly paving strategies, ones with the added benefit of being less disruptive to daily traffic. He continued by ranking priorities of road restoration projects, rating the likelihood of 2019 completion.

Soraya Stevens, Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), conducted a brief presentation on TAC goals and processes. She stressed safety as the biggest driver of TAC’s interests, citing the demand of in-need populations as a close second — in-need populations representing families with young children and elderly residents. This fed directly into a volley of criticisms against the changed intersection.

Questions begin at 51:27 in this linked video, bit.ly/2E0d1W4

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The sheer number of people present for the issue was proof of the intersection’s controversial approval. This was underscored by a demonstration, interrupting an attempted clarification by Selectman Michel Rosenberg.

Nearly all issues presented by the public were expressed by Kevin Lach in a recent TAC meeting. His concerns and general meeting notes can be found here. Of new comments, only four remained noteworthy. In terms of general safety, one comment acknowledged that of all the issues presented — namely restricted turn radii in several directions — none factor in the additional snow hazards we will see for the next four months. Snowbanks will further narrow already-tight turns. Slick conditions will back up traffic substantially longer on Old Billerica Road.

The TAC claimed — on several occasions — increased cyclist and pedestrian safety with the new design. Several cyclists spoke on the subject. While one applauded the turn, the majority claimed it provided — at best — no improvements to general safety.

The only positive response cited improved commute times in the evening. Traffic now moves substantially faster along Rt. 62East from Bedford into Burlington. The road was once clogged with vehicles struggling to turn left onto Old Billerica Road, creating backups to the intersection with Page Road. Cars are now free to leave Bedford, minimizing internal congestion during the evening rush. Whether this compensates for the additional 10 minutes of morning traffic Old Billerica residents face is yet to be determined. The Selectmen requested a traffic study be conducted for the next several weeks.

Selectman Rosenberg raised a very troubling point, echoed later by a concerned citizen. He asked why this intersection was approved without Selectmen intervention, unlike previous intersection proposals

TAC admitted that no specialized contractor had any input on the design. Affected citizens felt they had no opportunity to provide insight into the change, concerns which the Selectmen affirmed. Both the TAC and Manugian acknowledged there is no established protocol for creating, designing, and implementing construction on a major intersection. This intersection served as a test-run to judge the Town’s capabilities for internally making and executing these decisions.

While the DPW promised to operate with more transparency going forward, this intersection serves as a lesson in process and practicality. Although attendees hope that Bedford will learn from its rash decision made with good intention, the meeting concluded without any positive news for the 60 residents in attendance.

The Transportation Advisory Committee encourages everyone with comments and suggestions to send them to [email protected]. To reach the Selectmen with similar concerns, email [email protected]

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