Neponset Valley Parkway, Governors Road Issues Heard

The Milton Traffic Commission, which consists of representatives from the town, DPW and both the Police and Fire Departments, heard concerns from residents about two potentially dangerous areas in town that pleaded for changes to be made, Wednesday night.

The area around Brush Hill Road, Neponset Valley Parkway and Milton Street has been a concern for some time. Awareness ramped up recently after a car struck a child near Flately Field. The second discussion centered on the traffic volume on Governors Road, a residential street that many motorists use to connect East Milton Square and Quincy.

Marjorie Jeffries, of Canton Avenue, spoke first about the Neponset Valley Parkway issue. She expressed concerns for pedestrians and bicyclists in the area and implored the commission to intervene.

"This is a hideous intersection and something needs to be done." Jefferies said.

Two of the main roads of concern in the area, Neponset Valley Parkway and Truman Parkway are under the jurisdiction of the DCR, meaning the DCR dictates all signage and changes.

Congestion in the area has increased recently with two soccer leagues and a football team either playing or practicing on the nearby fields. Police Chief Richard Wells said visitors to the field should utilize the additional 50 parking spaces behind Milton Health Care in addition to the 60 that are usually used.

Assistant Town Engineer John Thompson said that since 2003 he has had several meetings with the DCR concerning the area.

"The DCR never really moved forward with any of our suggestions," Thompson said.

The area has been included on a recently signed traffic study contract. The Traffic Commission voted to send a letter to the DCR asking that the process be expedited. They also asked the Board of Selectmen to follow suit.

Several other solutions were suggested, including replacing the yield sign at Neponset Valley and Milton Street with a stop sign. The more extreme measure to block off the southbound lane of Brush Hill Road was generally dismissed as an inconvenience for residents of the neighborhood and Fuller Village.

Wells contended that a serious solution needs to be found for the area, and it would not come without cost.

"This is going to take money," said the Chief. "You're going to really need to look at this intersection."

Governors Road

A large contingent of Governors Road residents appeared before the traffic commission. Members of the neighborhood, which now has 22 children under the age of five, have been making the rounds in recent months to Board of Selectmen and Business and Citizen's Advisory Committee meetings, stating their case for traffic calming measures on the street.

John Duff, a 22-year resident of the road, spoke first. "Nothing gets me more worked up than the hundreds of cars speeding down Governors Road everyday," said Duff who added the traffic harms the quality of life on his street.

Duff explained that while the road has been a favorite cut through of drivers for years, the problem has only gotten worse with the MWRA construction project that has caused more delays in East Milton Square this summer.

Board of Selectmen member Robert Sweeney, who lived on the road for 50 years, adamantly suggested the town install speed tables on the road.

"I've based my recommendation on my knowledge of this town and my knowledge of Governors Road," Sweeney said.

Wells explained due to their ineffectiveness and danger to emergency vehicles, speed humps have not been recommended by the commission for three years. He also said a precedent of placing speed humps all over town would create issues with the commission.

Wells did agree with part of Sweeney's suggestion, which he laid out at a Selectmen's meeting on July 19, to add a stop sign at Governors Road and Warner Road.

"A stop sign forces them to stop, which is a greater effect than a speed hump," said Wells.

During the meeting other suggestions were entertained. The idea of blocking Governors Road at Edge Hill Road, as it had been done for a short period in 1978 was reintroduced.

Do Not Enter signs from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. in the city of Quincy were also suggested. The commission decided to contact the city's DPW and Police Department to gauge their level of cooperation.

In the end, the Traffic Commission is still waiting on a long term solution to quell traffic on Governor's Road, but a proposal for a stop sign has been sent to the Board of Selectmen for approval.