The city is calling for improvements in the flow of traffic in targeted areas of East Somerville. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

At their latest regular meeting, the City of Somerville Board of Aldermen addressed issues relating to traffic delays in East Somerville.

An order sponsored by Alderman At Large Dennis M. Sullivan, Ward One Alderman Matthew McLaughlin, Alderman At Large William A. White Jr., Alderman At Large Mary Jo Rossetti, and Alderman At Large John M. Connolly directing the Director of Traffic and Parking, the Chief of Police and the Director of SPCD to review the traffic problems in East Somerville and develop a traffic improvement plan was discussed and approved at the meeting.

Speaking in favor of the order, Alderman Sullivan discussed the traffic delays, mostly due to construction. “The people of East Somerville have endured a lot of traffic this past year,” said Sullivan. “The construction on Broadway, McGrath Highway – it’s been surrounded by construction this past year.” He further pointed out that the area has not been adequately regulated by police for a significant amount of time.

“We don’t have a traffic plan,” Sullivan lamented. “It’s the state’s fault, it’s this guy’s fault – it’s time we address it. I know aldermen are calling the state delegation. We have a traffic engineer onboard and the Chief of Police to come up with a plan to keep our neighborhood safe.”

Alderman At Large Dennis Sullivan is one of many aldermen who are outraged at the traffic delays in East Somerville.

Sullivan requested an action plan to resolve the heavy traffic in East Somerville. “Enough is enough. Let’s get on the same page. We should come up with an action plan,” Sullivan demanded.

“The state really botched this thing up,” according to Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente. “It’s really incredible. It’s a real mess down there. Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done right away.”

Alderman At Large Mary Jo Rosetti concurred with the general sentiments expressed by her fellow Board members. “We just have to get onboard. We have to make this a priority.”

Members of the Board then spoke further about specific areas with heavy traffic and the need to find a resolution.

Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston recommended the city carefully review MassDOT projects, and if their impacts are not properly mitigated, reject them. “They [MassDOT] come in with elaborate schemes, and we should say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or ‘we’re not sure about this,’” said Heuston. “This might be fine for people who want to breeze through, but what’s it going to do for local residents?”

Heuston emphasized that the city does not always have to agree with MassDOT plans, and possibly does so more often than it should. “I think a lot of it has to do with us,” said the alderman. “We don’t have to swallow everything MassDOT presents to us.”