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032698_TrafficStudyMinutes

Traffic Study · Source meeting date: 1998-03-26 · Record 48624

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Minutes of Traffic Study Committee held March 26, 1998 at he qLt Buildin 
1492 Washington Street Canton MA TOV- ;q Ct'=';.K� 
Meeting was called to order at 2:28 PM by Chairman Frank LaBollit . - - 
Present: Augustine DeCembrele, Peter Bright, Roger Nicholas, Earl Newhouse, Ralph 
Eames, Ernest Williams. News Reporter Margaret Thurler and Ronald Pasquarosa. 
Minutes: Minutes of meeting held January 22, 1998 were reviewed. With correction to 
add Ralph Eames present, a motion was made to accept the minutes as written. Voted 
and passed. 
Old Business: Discussed Stop Sign at Shawmut Drive, different type of warning signs 
for truck traffic entering from Shawmut Drive onto Dedham Street. 
New Business: Police Chief Peter bright expressed concerns from citizens. Cars cut 
across intersection of Spaulding Street from Chapman Street to Jackson Street. 
Intersection is planned to be painted when AMTRACK finish the construction of the new 
Spaulding Street bridge this year. Request to have STOP sign at Jackson Street and 
Spaulding and have intersection painted as soon as possible. Will Drive Condominium 
Association residents request a cross walk be painted at there community building with 
signage. , 
Town Planner, Roger Nicholas gave the committee a copy of a memo RE: 
Transportation Planning. Also read and reviewed memo from Executive Secretary William 
Freil to MAPC. Memo from MBTA RE: 128 Railroad Station planned parking garage. 
Meeting Tuesday April 7, 1998 at 3:00 PM at the Chamber of Commerce Headquarters in 
Norwood, MA (Memo Attached) 
Roger Nicholas informed the committee that the Towns hired Traffic Consultant firm will 
be holding a meeting Tuesday march 31, 1998 at the Town hall at 2:00 PM to answer any 
questions and any suggested problems the committee members would like them to look 
into. 
Ernest Williams motioned that the Committee take the committee's vote on the 
priority of the TIP list. Motion second. Each member gave their own personal 
suggestion of priority as Ernest Williams recorded them. Results (attached) #l. 
Master Plan, #2A. Neponset Street, #2B. Washington Street, #3. Route 138, #4. 
Dedham Street Neponset River Bridge, #5. Down Town Center and #6. East-West Road. 
Being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn. Time: 3:13 PM. 
Next meeting is scheduled for May 28, 1998 at 2:30 PM in the Eliot Building 1492 
Washington Street, Canton. 
Respectively Submitted 
Ronald Pasquarosa

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TRAFFIC STUDY COMMITTEE PRIORTATION 
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EAST -WEST RD 
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WASHINGTON ST 
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DOWNTOWN 
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NEPONSET ST 
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ROUTE 138 
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MASTER PLAN 
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DEDHAM ST BRIDGE 
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Page 1

,G 
(781) 575-6575 
zY. 1781) 821-2935 
uown of Eantntt, 
PLANNING DEPARTMENT 
UPPER MEMORIAL HALL 
801 WASHINGTON STREET 
CANTON, MA 02021 
TO: Traffic Study Committee 
FRONI: Roger Nicholas, Town Planner 
RE: Transportation Planning 
DATE: March 26, 1998 
We need to discuss several transportation planning issues as follows: 
I . TIP Update to year 2004 (deadline March ') 1, 1998) 
TOWN PL ili,JE:= 
ROGER A tier—.r_ 
AICP. As'_,, 
2. Growth Nlanagement Study Transportation Element. 
David Friend, Friend"s Associates is the transportation consultant for the growth 
management study. He will be meeting with Town Officals in Town Hall on 
Tuesdav, March 31, 1998 at 2:PM to go over transportation issues and to obtain 
any transportation reports that we feel wilt help him with the transportation 
planning for Canton. We would like input from the Traffic Study Committee. 
3. MassHighway Regional Traffic Study 
As part of the Route #128 Parking Garage Study a Regional Traffic Study has 
been undertaken . The attached memo is a preliminary report of the studies 
Findings.

February 23, 1998 
lls. Barbara Lucas 
Chief Transportation Planner 
N,IAPC 
60 Temple Place 
Boston. "IA. 02111 
RE: Local TIP Priorities Town of Canton 
(1) TIP Update for Fiscal Years 1998 - 2000 
(2) TIP Contingency Amendment for Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000 
Dear Ms. Lucas: 
The Town of Canton recently received and reviewed correspondence concerning f I j a 
TIP Update for Fiscal Years 1998 —2000 and (2) a TIP Contingency Amendment for the 
Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000 -local" project list. Please note the following comments as 
requested: 
(1) TIP Update for Fiscal Years 1998 - 2000 
The Town of Canton strongly supports the inclusion of the following work in the Fiscal 
Year 1998 - 2000 TIP. The following is a description of the work: 
A ( 
Neponset Street Rehabilitation 4pproved ,Yfass/Hi;liwav Project ID 460, 7 0) 
Neponset Street is currently at 25% design and has been submitted to Mass highway 
by the Town of Canton through their consultants Bruce Campbell & .-associates. The 
Town has appropriated 5200.000 for the rehabilitation design. 
B. East-West Connector Road (PYVED Grant'YVEPA # 10704) 
This project is currently in the ivtEPA process. The Town of Canton has been advised 
by its consultant engineers (VHB) that the environmental considerations to construct 
anew East-West Connector Road will require "bridging" certain wetland areas. It is 
requested that the Fundinv amount be increased to six million dollars (�6. 000.000).

C. Townwide Traffic Master Plan 
The Town of Canton respectfully requests S 1215,000 for a townwide Traffic Master 
Plan. The Townwide Traffic N/[aster Plan would include, but not be limited to. the 
conceptual design of the Washington Street Corridor from the Route 138/Washinuton 
Street Intersection to the Stoughton Town Line. 
D. Route 138 Improvement Plan 
The Route 138 Improvement Plan would include, but not be limited to, conceptual 
design and -construction drawings of the Route 138 Street Corridor Improvements 
from the Route 138/Washington Street Intersection to the Stoughton Town Line. 
(2) TIP Contingency Amendment for the Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000 
The Town of Canton strongly supports the inclusion of three additional Route 138 
intersection improvements in the Fiscal Year 1999 and 2000 TIP. The following is a 
description of the Route 138 problem area and the location of the three critical 
intersections: 
A. Problem Location: Route 138 from Stoughton Center in Stoughton to Route 
28 at the ivtilton/Boston border. 
B. Problem Identification: The overall corridor is heavily congested during the 
morning and evening commutes. However, one segment is among the regions 
most congested. This highly congested segment extends from Randolph Street in 
Canton to Royal Street in Canton. 
C. Current Activities: Potential improvements for the following intersections are 
in the design and permitting phase. The design and permitting work is being 
performed by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin. Inc. with construction planned to start in 
the spring of 1999. 
• Route 138 and Royal Street (approved Mass/Highway Project ID 4 602=175) 
• Route 138 and Randolph Street 
• Route 138 and Washington Street 
These three intersection improvements should be given high priority in your Fiscal Year 
1999 and 2000 TIP evaluation report. The congestion status designation is easily' 
verifiable by existing data and field observations. The three intersection improvement 
projects currently under design would greatly improve the highly congested intersection 
identified in this corridor. 
Respectfully, 
William T. Friel 
Town Executive Secretary

01 
Massachusetts Bav Transportation Authority 
U;,eu Paul C,;rrc Purrick.1..tilr,r111ha r 
Governor Secr•erur). tel'• .IIBT1 Chairman 
MEvt0RkNDC vI 
Robert H. ProIce..Ir. 
6erreruI .tlunuk er 
TO: Route 138 Intermodal StationiN[assHighway Regional Traffic Study 
Task Force Members 
FROr�-t: Stephen J. 
NIBTA ` 
DATE: March 17, 1998 
RE: Meeting - Tuesday, April 7, 1998 
There will be a meeting to discuss both the station project and the MassHighway 
Regional Traffic study on Tuesday, April 7, 1998 at 3:00 P)l. The meeting will be held at 
the veponset Valley Chamber of Commerce Headquarters in 'Norwood. 
The purpose of this meeting is for the NIBTA and Amtrak to provide an update on the 
status of the station project and for NlassHighway to present additional information on their 
analysis of the regional traffic improvement solutions. 
We look forward to seeing you on Apnl 7, 1998. 
Thank you.

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Route 128 Intermodal Facility 
PREPARED BY: 
est ra r — 
�/ THE CANTON PLANNL DEPARTMENT 
PREPARED FOR: �.

Improvements Proposed by MHD at 3/10/98 Meeting 
(see attached plan) 
A. "Add -a -lane" project expands Route 128N and Route 128S by one lane in each direction. 
B. At University Avenue area, expand Route 128S to 5 lanes; have 2 lanes exit from Route 128S to 
Route 95S. 
C. Eliminate Ramp from Blue Hill Drive to Route 128S, 
D. Rebuild Greenlodge Bridge for one way traffic ramp to Route 128S. 
E. Reconfigure ramp from Route 128S to Blue Hill Drive so it is longer and improves the weave" of 
traffic getting off highway. 
Construct slip ramp from Canton/Dedham Street to Route 95S. 
G. Construct "fly -over" from Route 95N directly to Route 128N. 
H. Construct service (C -B) road to separate out University Avenue traffic sooner—at Route 95S exit 
ramp. "Fly -over" traffic would join this C -B roadway. Perhaps reconfigure ramp at University 
Avenue to straighten out curve. 
Notes: 
Either Greenlodge Street in Canton would be closed at Elm Street, or left open for pedestrians 
and emergency vehicles only. 
Plan showed possible slip ramp from Route 95N to Dedham/Canton Street, but there were 
neighborhood problems with this. Preference for MHD was to use fly -over ramp at interchange 
for north bound traffic. Any slip ramp from Dedham Street would require mitigation of traffic 
(prevention of "cut through' on Canton Street until entire plan was implemented. 
MHD included a plan which lays the new configurations over a photo of the existing conditions. 
There is a real opportunity to recapture a considerable areas of wetlands which were filled in the 
late 1960's. Also, the fly -over requires piers for structural support, rather that strip filling of 
wetlands. Finally, the old, unused bridge over Route 128 would be eliminated and some of those 
filled wetland could be restored. Any "package" should include money for those wetland 
restoration projects. 
We did ask whether the ramp at University Avenue near well # 5 could be improved so that the 
turning radius could be made less tight, and moved away from well. They said they could look at 
this change. There is some concern about how to weave the traffic from the fly -over onto the 
University Avenue off -ramp.

TELEPHONE: TOWN OF CANTON PETER S. BRIGHT 
.RGENCY: 91 1 CHIEF OF POLICE 
JSINESS: (781) 821-5090 MASSACHUSETTS 02021 
A.YiOMttc � 
POLICE DEPARTMENT 
To: Traffic Study Co mittee 
From: Peter S. , hief of Police 
400 
Subj: Traffic Issues 
Date: March 23, 1998 
Residents have brought concerns about traffic issues in the following areas to my attention. 
1. Will Drive - The Canton Village Condominium Association expressed concern for the area 
near Pleasant Street. Residents of the condominiums both young and old cross Will Drive to 
enter the community building. The association was looking for signage and crosswalk. They 
were also looking for enforcement of traffic rules from the police. 
2. York Street - Residents of York Street had inquired if signage could be put at both ends of 
York Sheet warning of narrow rural road. 
3. Jackson Street - Deputy Fire Chief reports headed North on Jackson Street a dangerous 
condition exists where Jackson Street intersects with Spaulding Street. People are entering 
Spaulding Street from Chapman Street and headed to MBTA lot. There is no longer a traffic 
island to control traffic. The view on the left side of Jackson Street is restricted by shrubs_ He 
suggests a stop sign on Jackson Street at the Spaulding Street intersection.

Minutes of Traffic Study Committee held January 22, 1998 at the Eliot Building 1492 J 
Washington street, anton, MA 
Meeting was called to order at 2:34 PN/1 by Chairman Frank LaBollita . 
Present: Frank LaBollitta, Augustine DeCembrele, Peter Bright, Roger Nichols and 
Ronald Pasquarosa. > r�- iFa ; � 
Minutes: Minutes of meeting held September 25, 1997 were reviewed. A motion was 
made to accept the minutes as written. Voted and passed. 
Guest speakers Susan Archer, John Carde, Robert Woodland and Richard Stain 
representing McDonald Corporation presented plans for the construction of a McDonalds 
restaurant at 41 Washington Street. (Front of Cobbs Corner Mall) Attorney Richard 
Staiti opened the presentation. Mr. Robert Woodland of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. 
explained the planned traffic design. Questions were presented by members of the 
committee addressing the single entrance into and out of the parking area, the width of the 
entrance way from and onto Washington Street, travel lane marking, types of shrubbery 
to be planted around outside perimeter, delivery times of supplies and several other 
questions. After listening to plans and answers to questions, a motion was made and 
seconded to except the traffic plans. The Committee felt that this project would not add 
to or hinder present traffic conditions in this area. The committee also noted plans by the 
MA Highway Department to reconstruct the roadways in this area in the very near future. 
Voted and Passed. 
Town Planner, Roger Nichols gave the committee an update of the Route 138 
traffic plans being drafted to accommodate operation of Rebok Inc. Roger presented a 
copy of a letter from MA Highway director Daniel F. Began in answer to request from the 
Town of Canton for financial assistance in different traffic related projects. 
Roger asked for permission to address a letter to Director Daniel F. Began from the 
Traffic Study Committee supporting the need for financial assistance. Motion was made 
and seconded to have Town Planner Roger Nichols send letter in the name of the 
commmittee. Voted and Passed. 
After a short discussion a motion was made and seconded to have Roger Nichols 
send a letter from the Traffic Study Committee supporting the East West Road. Voted 
and passed. 
Old Business: Stop sign at intersection of Shawmut Road and Dedham Street. 
Request for sidewalk along Farm Street or a painted line along side of roadway indicating 
area as a sidewalk. Request for a sidewalk on Norfolk Street was discussed. Would 
require land taking. Information about several projects and schedules of compliance were 
discussed. Dedham Street river bridge, Greenlodge Street rail road bridge and 
suggestions for center improvements. 
NEW BUSINESS: None. 
Being no further business a motion was made to adjourn. Time: 3:50 PM. 
Next meeting is scheduled for March 19, 1998 at 2:30 PM in the Eliot Building. 
Respectively Submitted 
Ronald Pasquarosa

Minutes of Traffic Study Committee held September 25, 1997 At tht<�K 
Washington street, Canton, MA CANTON MASS. 
Meeting was called to order at 2:32 PM by Chairman Frank LaBollita . 
Present: Frank LaBollitta, Augustine DeCembrele, Peter Bright, Roger Nichols, Thomas 
Clark, Ernest Williams and Ronald Pasquarosa. 
Minutes: Minutes of meeting held July 31, 1997 reviewed. A motion was made to accept 
the minutes as written. Voted and passed. 
Up date on traffic plans for Reebok new building off Route 138 beside Instron campus. 
Roger Nichols showed the members a copy of proposed plans submitted from the Town 
and Thomas Clark passed out copies of Reeboks proposal. Committee discussed several 
issues of concern with suggestions to Roger Nichols. Traffic problems in several 
locations in Town were discussed. Town Planner, Roger Nichols asked the board 
members to give some input and ideas to try and solve some of the traffic problems. 
Drawings enclosed from earlier meeting discussion on four locations of main concern. 
Roger stated that he was looking for town owned width of intersections. Motion was 
made for members to work on input. Voted and passed. 
D.P.W. Superintendent said he would have Engineering Division check files for as -built 
plans and if any records from past traffic studies. 
Old Business: Wall Street one way. Signs put up twice by D.P.W.. Signs taken 
down by unknowns same day that the signs were put in place. Request signs be put up 
again as voted by the Board of Selectmen. Ernest Williams said ONE WAY can be 
painted in the street. 
Street lights are being worked on. Edison will be contacted to help check and make 
repairs as needed. 
Will Drive NO LIVE PARKING sign has been put up as requested. 
Dedham Street and Shawmut Road. Frank LaBollita informed the committee that 
Norblom Company has hired a consultant firm to draw up required plans to install traffic 
lights on Dedham Street. Ronald Pasquarosa informed the committee that a letter was 
sent to the MA Highway department requesting replacement of the old wire cable with 
steel guard rail on both sides of Route 95 overpass on Dedham Street. Also requested 
guard rail to be placed along several town streets that have drop off on the sides of the 
streets for protection. 
Bolivar Street traffic lights. Ron Pasquarosa informed the committee that the lights have 
been worked on and are functioning properly for now. 
NEW BUSINESS: Ernest Williams requested a letter be written from the Traffic 
Study Committee to the Board of Selectmen requesting the redesign of the traffic island at 
the intersection of Jackson Street at Chapman Street. It has been found to not allow 
large trucks to be able to turn onto either street from either direction without riding over 
the granite curbing. The Town Fire engine could not maneuver around this intersection 
from Chapman Street onto Jackson Street or from Jackson Street to Chapman without 
hitting the curbing. Also suggested that Wattles Street be made a ONE WAY from East 
to West direction. (Jackson Street toward Chapman Street) 
The committee agreed that the traffic flow in the entire town needs to be addressed.

Thomas Clark spoke about the replacement of the Spaulding Street bridge requesting if 
any members had information on the reconstruction schedule. Thomas Clark also 
mentioned a concern on having public transportation for employees of the Commerce 
Center from Route 128 Railroad Station and or Braintree M 3TA station. Spoke about 
Greenlodge Street and the replacement of the bridge, and the traffic that will be produced 
into route 138 when it is opened to the public plus the new railroad parking garage. 
Suggest looking into creating alternate streets. Ernest Williams spoke about the Federal, 
State grants to aid towns with construction of streets and traffic control. 
Being no further business a motion was made to adjourn. Time: 3:48 PM. 
Next meeting is scheduled for November 20, 1997 at 2:30 PM in the Eliot Building. 
Respectively ubmitted 
Ronald Pasgquuai`osa