Andover residents can comment on safety proposals included in a draft of MassDOT’s road safety audit at a forum scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at the West Middle School.
The audit was conducted after a five-year-old girl was hit and killed by a truck while crossing the street on May 9. The audit includes recommendations for immediate changes, as well as mid-to-long term changes to improve pedestrian safety in Elm Square.
Town Clerk Austin Simko said Tuesday the Andover was waiting for MassDOT to make comments before releasing a draft of the audit. Simko expects those comments later this week, allowing the Town to share the draft at next week’s forum.
The intersection is a longstanding target for safety complaints. Currently, lights in Elm Square are configured so drivers can turn right when walk signs are lit. The controllers have a feature known as “Lead Pedestrian Interval,” which lights the walk signs before the right turn lights, giving pedestrians a slight head start.
Sidney Olson’s parents said the walk light was lit when she was hit by a Sysco truck. The driver cooperated with investigators and no charges have been filed.
Following the crash, WalkBikeAndover began circulating a petition demanding the immediate installation of “No Turn On Red” signs and programming traffic lights to turn red in all directions when walk signs are lit. Town officials said state regulations prohibited changes until the audit was completed.
Photo: Dave Copeland/Andover News
…any chance that ‘we’ residents can see the MADOT road safety audit prior to the meeting? Like many in-town, I will not be able to attend the meeting next week.
Walk Bike Andover will be circulating the report as soon as it’s available. I expect this to be before the end of this week. MassDOT has indicated that their comments, if any, will be submitted by the end of the business day today. It’s important for folks to be able to read the report *before* the opportunity for feedback.
I’ve also requested from the Town, although after discussing with the Town Clerk this morning, I do not think I will be able to publish it before the forum.
Thanks, Dave. I also followed up with an email to the Town. It has been filed with the Town according to MADOT.
How can the public comment on a report we have not read and had time to digest?
It’s now available on the Walk Bike Andover website. Feel free to reach out to us ([email protected]) with any questions about the report.
https://www.walkbikeandover.org/projects-and-initiatives/elm-sq/rsa-report
https://andovermanews.com/massdot-report-includes-88-safety-recommendations/ I’ve summarized the high points as best I could. Will continue to read throughout the day.