Vote Medford 2007

Full Text: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

Many people have publicly said that roads, signs, crosswalks and lights in or near Wellington, Station Landing, the I-93 rotary, Medford Square and the intersection of Forest and High create hazardous conditions for motorists and pedestrians. Also, bicycles are becoming a primary green mode of transportation, so other cities such as Cambridge and Somerville are making cycling safer by constructing formal bike paths and creating bike lanes along primary and secondary streets. How can Medford be made a truly safe city for walkers, bikers and motorists, and what will your contribution be?

Arena: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

There is no question that the infrastructure at Wellington Circle is in need of a major infusion of capital investment. More than 25 years ago then Governor Edward King came to Medford and expressed support for a redesign of Wellington Circle. Since then, not much has changed except the volume of traffic has increased dramatically. Only major changes in the configuration of the several roads intersecting at Wellington, such as an over or under pass, could we ever hope to safely accommodate the ever increasing volume of vehicular traffic here, with safer walking and biking through the area as natural byproducts. Medford's streets and roadways were constructed many years ago, and major changes are unrealistic. If an affordable engineering proposal could introduce safe walking and biking through our city, it would win my support provided such a plan would not complicate existing heavy traffic zones.

Burke: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

With new construction, it is easy to integrate bike lanes. See Rivers Edge for an example of how it is done. However, with our old narrow streets, it gets more and more difficult. For starters, crosswalks need to be repainted as needed, not at set times of the year. Secondly, the city needs to invest in the crosswalk signs that we see in other communities. There are several locations in our city where these are warranted. These signs are highly visible thus promoting safety. People need to be able to feel safe in our crosswalks. I also feel very comfortable in installing video cameras in our city to catch the scofflaws and to aid in the deterrence of crime in our neighborhoods.

Camuso: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

We need to study all of our major intersections across the city so that we can consider modifications to signage and other safety measures. We also need to have more traffic enforcement personnel on the street to provide control and supervision at peak periods. We must work more closely with state agencies to acquire funding for capital modifications that may be desirable based upon our assessment of existing and emerging conditions. We should convene meetings with community members who are opting for alternative modes of transportation so that we can plan together the best ways to provide safety. I have already initiated “senior citizen safety zones” in and around senior housing. Other similar measures are possible based upon knowledgeable input from those who are most directly affected by these conditions.

Chamberlain: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

A review of work assignments and staff structure at the public works department may be needed to help streamline response to work requested by citizens of Medford as well as capital projects involving safety issues. Supervision of quality work procedures are needed to complete work on time and on budget. As to bike lanes more studies as to the cost of creating lane and marking changes would be needed before any proposal would go forward. There are also many opportunities for off street biking that can be pursued.

Dello Russo: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

As a member of the Public Safety Committee, I have met with concerned citizens and Business people regarding Wellington light cycles. We have sent our recommendations and concerns to the DCR. The Wellington question is major and complex. It has been under examination by the state delegation for some time. The road configuration, volume of traffic and needs of pedestrians must be addressed and with state cooperation, a more modern configuration can be reached. I suggest that a comprehensive city-wide assessment of traffic, parking, bike lanes and the needs of the disabled be undertaken. What we have is not meeting our needs. Out of the assessment must come a plan of action with goals and timetables for implementation.

Lungo: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

The roads and crosswalks in Medford need to be made safer for everybody. Last year I put a resolution on the agenda, which the council supported, to improve pedestrian safety at Wellington Circle. It was fueled by complaints about how unsafe it is to get from one point to the other. After walking the area I noticed that I was putting my life in danger every time I crossed. I noticed myself running from point A to point B, in order to avoid the traffic. Then I thought if its tough for me, what about our seniors and our disabled citizens. Unfortunately, this is the case in many areas within our city and something needs to be done.

I think it is a big endeavor to make bike lanes along all of our primary and secondary streets, but it is one that I would support, even if it had to be done one street at a time or a few streets a year. Not only would it be beneficial to people who ride bicycles, but it would be much safer for the walkers as well. Keeping the bicycles off of the sidewalks, by giving them their own lane, would eliminate everyone especially our senior citizens from worrying about sharing the sidewalks with bicycles.

Creating Bicycle lanes would also be a plus for the environment, because it would hopefully encourage more people to ride to work, school, and on errands, which in turn takes cars off the roads and emissions out of the air.

Maiocco: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

Working cooperatively with the chief of police and the department of public works to improve safety conditions for pedestrians and motorists. Pushed for extending the bike path around the Mystic Lakes, connecting to Arlington for bikers, joggers and walkers. This is an ongoing effort and I will continue to pursue necessary changes.

Marks: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

This is a good issue for me, because for the past six years I've been working to make city streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. When it wasn't popular, I requested that the City do the following: Raise crosswalks and widen sidewalks to protect pedestrians from passing cars; add or repair signage, such as Pedestrian Crossing signs, at heavily traversed intersections; create or widen bike paths; and add thermoplastic crosswalks, which are highly reflective and slip-resistant. Despite much opposition, I've made safe sidewalks a signature project. Through my pushing, the City has installed more than 50 of the thermoplastic crosswalks. Already we're seeing the savings. Because thermoplastic sidewalks have a life expectancy of four to five years, we're saving on labor and paint. Painted sidewalks have to be re-marked twice a year. We're also not seeing slip-and-fall lawsuits with thermoplastics, which can't be said of painted sidewalks, which become slick in rain and snow. A year ago I put a resolution before the council to further improve pedestrian and bicycle traffic. This has never been a trendy or green issue for me so much as it has been an ongoing, practical, needs-based problem that should be followed to preserve and protect the public safety of Medford citizens.

Penta: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

This issue is presently being addressed through city council initiatives.