Sciortino secures $1.7 million for traffic improvements
Medford Transcript
Jun 16, 2008
Rep. Carl Sciortino, D-Medford, today announced the passage of funding in the House to address important transportation needs in Medford.
Sciortino, who sits on the Transportation Committee, was successful in securing a total of $1.7 million in the Transportation Bond Bill, which passed the House June 11. The purpose of the bill is to finance various transportation developments and improvements throughout the commonwealth.
Included in the bill was $750,000 to address numerous traffic problems in South Medford. The funds will be use for the implementation of improved traffic signals at four South Medford intersections along Harvard Street to alleviate traffic congestion.
"South Medford residents are being choked by a high volume of traffic that sits idle along Harvard Street. Improving the traffic signals at these intersections will help improve the flow of traffic in this highly congested area," said Sciortino.
Also included was $800,000 in funding to be used for improvements in Medford Square. The funds are to alleviate traffic concerns at the intersections of South Street and Route 16 with Main Street. Right now several sets of blinking yellow lights provide no direct traffic control to cars coming through these intersections, creating a public safety hazard.
These intersections impact the constituents of both Sciortino and Rep. Paul Donato, D-Medford, who also supported the inclusion of the $800,000.
"The intersection of South and Main Streets is a dangerous one that has been a concern for a number of years now", said Donato.
Sciortino also included $150,000 to address the need for local planning around the Green Line extension. The Medford City Council recently passed a resolution asking the state delegation for help in allowing the city to study the implications of the Green Line Extension, particularly local parking and land use planning.
"We need to make sure the green line project respects the needs of local neighborhoods. This funding will help address the need for local traffic and land use planning around the Green Line Extension," said Sciortino.