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Changes to the intersection of Cross and Forest streets in 2024 have slowed down traffic in the area. And while there have been some issues, neighbors say things have improved.
“The intersection is tremendously better,” said Select Board member Anthea Brady, who lives in the area. “I have more confidence when I cross. Cars can see me and there’s more visibility on the pedestrian island.”
Brady said when plans were underway to improve the intersection, some neighbors were disappointed a bumpout wasn’t put in, but concerns over flooding didn’t make that idea feasible and would have caused further issues.
Earlier in the year, residents complained on the Winchester Residents Facebook Page about striking the new pedestrian island or having issues negotiating the intersection. In fact, one resident said she blew a tire.
Feedback from residents has caused the Department of Public Works and town engineer to go back and have another look at the intersection. Brady said both have been “very flexible” when it comes to continuing improvements.
“People have said that the pedestrian island feels tight, but it was designed to feel tight so people slow down on the turn,” Brady said. “At first, we had some barrels there, but they were knocked down the next day. Then it was striped.”
But the speed bumps and stripping weren’t enough. Brady said the town went back and re-stripped and added flexible rods in case someone struck the island so it wouldn’t damage their car.
Brady said the feedback has helped with safety in the area.
“I haven’t heard any complaints,” Brady said, of the new improvements. “I think people are making the turn. The speed bumps, everything put in there, it’s great.”
Traffic calming
So, how did all these improvements come about? Brady said the town is always looking at ways to keep residents safe on roadways.
When the town did its traffic plan, Brady said one of the roadways at the top of the list for improvements was Cross Street. And when Eversource started work on the roadway, the utility worked with the town to make the area safer.
Brady said the Eversource line caused a lot of friction in Winchester because many people didn’t like the route it took: Down from Woburn, down Cross Street, left on Forest Street and right back out towards Woburn.
“It was really unpleasant to live here,” Brady said, of the work which ripped up the streets. “It was incredibly disruptive.”
When Eversource’s work started to wrap up, Brady said the town saw the opportunity to make changes. Although, she added, the town is always looking at ways for even more improvements.
For example, there are areas around the Children’s Own School on Main Street, the Mystic School and the intersection of Highland and Park avenues that need to be looked at.
“There are a lot of areas that need attention,” Brady said. “Lower Forest is a speedway and that hasn’t had a ton of attention. But we are working on the traffic and things are calmer on the wider roads.”
