Petition: Make Lowell Street Safer for All – Support Comprehensive Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Measures

Initiated by: Cathyann Harris, Ward 8 City Councillor and Robert G. Logan, Ward 9 City Councillor – Waltham, MA
Date: 11/13/23

Lowell St Safety Plan - Safety & Traffic Calming Improvements Filed before the Waltham Traffic Commission is on the AGENDA for the Nov 20th Meeting of the Waltham Traffic Commission at 10 am at City Hall, City Council Chamber.

You do not need to donate or attend in person. If anyone wants to attend this meeting in person the date, time and location are above.

This call to action is to simply have you sign the Petition: Make Lowell Street Safer for All – Support Comprehensive Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Measures and will be presented at the Waltham Traffic Commission in public session. 

The recording of the meeting will be available 24 hours after the meeting occurs.

The Problem

For far too long, residents along Lowell Street and Southside have endured unsafe speeding, poor visibility at intersections, and dangerous conditions for pedestrians and drivers alike on Lowell Street. Despite 6 years of advocacy and temporary fixes, accidents, speeding have only increased. With the new stop sign at Lowell and Myrtle, there still remains very serious concerns at the other intersections regarding sight lines, parking at the intersections, crosswalk and pedestrian visibility, and overall safety for Lowell St all its intersections from Derby St to Pine St.

Lowell Street runs through the heart of our Ward 8 and Ward 9 neighborhoods — connecting families, schools, parks, and small businesses. It should be a safe, community-friendly corridor. Instead, it has become a roadway where speeding and limited visibility have put too many people at risk and accidents continue to occur.

The Solution

To truly address these issues and calm traffic along the entire length of Lowell Street, we’re calling on the Waltham Traffic Commission to approve and implement the  comprehensive Lowell St Safety Plan from the Honorable Mayor McCarthy

 
Lowell St Safety Plan - Safety & Traffic Calming Improvements Filed before the Waltham Traffic Commission for the Nov 20th Meeting at 10 am at City Hall, City Council Chamber 

Intersection Controls

All-Way Stop Controls at:
Lowell & Taylor Streets
Lowell & Chestnut Streets
Lowell & Robbins Streets
Lowell & Washington Street
(An all-way stop at Lowell & Myrtle has already been completed.)

Speed Reduction Measures:

Speed bumps or cushions (to remain in place year-round):
Between Chestnut and High (southbound lane)
Between Ash and Brown (southbound lane)
Between Laurel and Crafts (northbound lane)
Between Alder and High (northbound lane)
Rumble strips at:
Lowell & Pine
Lowell & Derby

New Painted Crosswalks at all Intersections for Improved Visibility & Pedestrian Safety

New crosswalks added at:
Lowell & Brown
Across Fuller Street
(Crosswalks at Taylor, Cushing, Myrtle, Robbins, Crafts, Laurel, and Derby were recently completed.)

Other Street Improvements:
Relocate stop line on Myrtle Street closer to Lowell Street for better driver visibility

Move stop line and crosswalks at Washington Avenue closer to Lowell Street

Approve thermoplastic material for more durable pavement markings when they are implemented

Parking & Signage Adjustments

Supplemental left-side stop sign on Cushing Street approach
Additional “no parking” cross-hatch markings at:
Lowell & Pine
Lowell & Myrtle
Lowell & Ash
Lowell & Washington
Review and update “No Parking” signage along the full corridor to clearly communicate existing regulations
Widen the parking lane on the west side of Lowell Street for improved visibility and maneuvering
Review parking spaces on Derby Street (across from Lowell) to determine if removal is warranted

Intersection Design Improvements

Corner curb extensions (“bump-outs”) constructed at:
Lowell & Chestnut
Lowell & Cushing
Lowell & Taylor
Any remaining intersections that Engineer feels will not cause drainage problems

Flashing LED stop signs installed for a two-month pilot period at all approved new Stop signs including Lowell and Myrtle to increase driver awareness

Overhead beacon review: Evaluate existing flashing beacons at Lowell/Cushing and Lowell/Taylor for replacement of yellow lenses with red, contingent on All-Way Stop approval

All new GRANITE CURBS the entire length of Lowell St from Derby to Pine St with new Trees planted on the easterly side of Lowell St

All approved new Stop Signs will be implemented immediately
 
Why This Matters

These improvements are not isolated fixes — they are a comprehensive, data-driven approach to slow traffic, improve sight lines, and make Lowell Street safer for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and families.

By signing this petition, you are urging the Waltham Traffic Commission to make these safety upgrades a top priority and to allocate the resources necessary for permanent, year-round traffic calming along Lowell Street. We cannot do this without your support. Please sign on today!

This petition will be submitted to the Waltham Traffic Commission on Wed 11/19/25. Thank you for your support and help !