Infamous Spaghetti-Like Intersection In Medford To Get Total Makeover: MassDOT

MEDFORD, MA – Medford’s Wellington Circle Study Report aims to make the 12-lane intersection safer for all transportation modes and to improve connectivity to and from the local communities that use it.

The study set out four objectives in their report:

• Safety: Improve safety conditions for all transportation modes and users in the Wellington Circle area.
• Connectivity: Improve local and regional connectivity to support businesses and future development.
• Mobility/Access: Improve mobility and access for all transportation modes and users in the Wellington Circle area.
• Quality of Life: Improve quality of life for residents in the Wellington Circle area.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) looked at several different intersection configurations that would address the study’s goals, such as four-leg and five-leg intersections, roundabouts, jughandles, restricted crossing U-turns (RCUT), continuous flow intersections, and quadrant roadways.

Each configuration was analyzed for its ability to handle high vehicle volume, as well as pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access.

Of the many configurations, the quadrant roadway concept showed the most potential for improving access and safety for all modes of transportation, and for accommodating the high vehicle volumes at the circle.

The quadrant roadway was then used to develop four potential intersection redesign options at the circle.

Of the four intersection options, one showed the most potential in meeting the study’s goals and was selected as the recommended option: the Long-Term At-Grade Transit Enhanced Alternative.

What does the Long-Term At-Grade Transit Enhanced Alternative plan look like?

With the Long-Term At-Grade Transit Enhanced Alternative option, vehicle lanes would be reduced from twelve to five in order to give more of the roadway to buses and bicycles without compromising travel time for cars.

According to the report, vehicle operations would remain largely the same as existing conditions, with similar total vehicle capacities and delay for vehicles.

In the proposed plans, dedicated bus lanes on Revere Beach Parkway to the east of the circle and on the Fellsway to the north of the circle would be added to give priority for MBTA bus routes 100, 102, and 134 to and from Wellington Station.

In addition to dedicated bus lanes, bus phase signals and floating bus stops would be added to increase safety for passengers and bicyclers. A floating bus stop would add a curb extension at a bus stop’s boarding platform, allowing the bus to stop in-lane to pick up and drop off passengers safely.

The plans propose adding a separated bicycle lane behind the bus passenger waiting area, creating an “island” that reduces collisions between bicyclists and buses, overall improving safety.

Together, these transit plans would help increase transit speed, reliability, and accessibility, according to the study report.

A crosswalk directly across Revere Beach Parkway at the easternmost portion of the circle was determined to be impossible due to high vehicle turning volumes. So, as an alternative, the plan could accommodate a pedestrian bridge across the parkway to create more direct access to Wellington Station.

How would the Transit Enhanced Alternative proposal help Wellington Circle?

In MassDOT’s report, the Transit Enhanced Alternative was determined to be the option that is best for all modes of transportation.

Compared to the other options, the Long-Term At-Grade Transit Enhanced Alternative is the only alternative that would measurably benefit transit operations and access, while also providing the same quality of life benefits as the other Long-Term At-Grade alternative.

Safety is also expected to improve significantly under the Transit Enhanced Alternative option, with the overall driver experience expected to be safer and less confusing, with the added bonus of dedicated space for walkers, bikers, and transit users.

The focus on including different modes of transportation is also expected to reduce the number of vehicles using the circle and to encourage other modes of transit.

What happens next?

Medford communities members are encouraged to take part in the 30-day comment period, which will conclude on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

The next step for the study is for the city, in coordination with MassDOT District 4, to initiate a project through the MassDOT Project Development Process.

This process will further define the project design, costs, timeline, impacts, and responsibilities, and secure approval from the MassDOT project Review Committee, as well as any permits.

Funding will need to be pursued to advance into the design process for the future implementation of improvements that will benefit those who live in, work in, and travel through Wellington Circle.

For more information, look through the Wellington Circle Study documents.