Another traffic tragedy... when will it end?

Another sad tragedy...

Evidence of someone loosing their life was tied to a pole on the corner of Western Ave (Rt. 107) and Belleaire yesterday.  Today's article in the Lynn Item confirms what is seen on this road from time to time, and contradicts statements by Wal-mart's and Lowe's reps.

These are a few comments made in the Salem Public Hearings regarding traffic and accidents:

1. Traffic and accidents have been reduced since earlier studies 
2. The road lanes on Rt. 107 coming into Lynn should be 4 lane
3. The light by Fay's Ave should be reworked to make traffic flow quicker through.
4. Why hasn't anyone complained to Lynn about the traffic problems, and why are the complaint towards Salem all the time?

RESPONSE:

1. Please take a look at the tragedies now.  Do these people's lives make a difference in the statistics?
2. The road lanes on Rt. 107 should remain 2 lanes to avoid more tragedies and drag racing events which used to occur on this road when it was 4 lanes.  Merging traffic into a single lane helps reduce the high speeds of the highway ending on the Lynn line before entering the dense neighborhoods.  Any efforts to create a double lane on each side of the roadway will only encourage more of a speed strip at night when there is no day traffic.
3. There is nothing inefficient about the light on Fay's Ave.  Any effort to speed up traffic on Rt. 107 entering Lynn is a poor solution which will create more problems such as:   Where will the cars go?  Lynn's neighborhoods are dense just over the bridge before Eastern Ave, and the crossroads will be grid lock.  The light gives pedestrians, cars and even the ducks at the Crossing, a break in time to cross the streets ahead of the light.  Making a continuous flow of traffic into a grid lock will loose the breathing time that is relied on to cross the road.  
4. Many have complained to Lynn about the traffic conditions, in that cars should be slowed down coming from Highland Ave.  It would be irresponsible not to reduce the speed of highway traffic before entering a community.   Suggestions provided:  

•       Create a longer lane merger, where the merge is visible before heading down hill.
•       Add a caution sign
•       Add speed bumps on the bridge to assist the wildlife and reduce speeds
•       Add a Speed Radar Trailer, to help slow cars down before the merger

in the recent news...
"The investigation remains active and police have not determined a cause. Parker said drivers often build up speed leaving Salem on the straightaway along Western into Lynn."  ~ by Thor Jourgensen and Chris Stevens, The Lynn Item, June 5, 2010
http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2010/06/05/news/news01.txt

Peace

Here is another recent bad accident mentioned here...  "Bad Accident and Traffic today"
which occurred near the same location