Editor’s note: A letter to the editor on June 4 addressed the same topic.
To the editor:
In the last ten or twelve years, I have written letters and spoken to the Lincoln Selectmen and Police Department at least three times about moving that stop sign on Trapelo Road several feet closer to Lincoln/Bedford Road so drivers approaching that intersection will have clear sight lines there. LPD said it would be a good idea, but no action to date. I have also observed several near misses there; it ‘s an accident waiting to happen.
Sincerely,
Fred Richardson
The Commons in Lincoln
Working with Lincoln residents some 20 plus years, were there publicly held land for it, a small rotary at the intersection, historic trough moved to its center, augmented by a garden would improve traffic flow, view of trough and current uncertainties as to who goes next. While such a change seems unlikely, perhaps others feel similarly.
Karen Paradise, Realtor, at Coldwell Banker
As a resident of Lincoln living on Trapelo Road very near the stop sign at the five-way intersection of Trapelo et al, I am very much aware of the difficulties negotiating that intersection. I normally do so several times a day. I can also appreciate that a stop sign located right by the garden and flower pot in the middle of the intersection would mar the beauty of that site and detract from the attractiveness of Lincoln.
Why not consider two other options: 1) the stop sign on Trapelo currently advises “5-way stop”. Adding a sign to the post below that stating “proceed with caution” would certainly give an additional warning to drivers who are not familiar with the town; 2) Alternatively we could follow the Waltham model and have writing actually on the the surface of the road. Instead of Waltham’s arrows, we could have “stop here too” or “stop again” or some other such warning.
Sincerely,
Barbara Slayter
Mr. Richardson is absolutely right, as is John Kimball in his letter to the editor on June 4 regarding this same topic.
I’d go further and say there are multiple issues with traffic flow at that intersection: it is difficult for folks coming up Weston Road, since the heavier traffic coming down Bedford Road and off of Trapelo cannot see them. Also the turn lane in front of the library is problematic. It seems to be intended for folks to turn right from Trapelo onto Bedford, but every so often someone comes down that lane from Bedford Rd towards Trapelo, nearly always causing chaos for themselves and other drivers.
At the very least, moving the Trapelo Road stop sign closer to the actual intersection would seem to be mandatory, before someone gets seriously hurt. But, I’d suggest that rethinking the whole intersection, at the very least providing clearer signage and lane markings for all drivers, is necessary.
Sincerely,
Allen Vander Meulen
Beaver Pond Rd, Lincoln