Lightning May be Responsible for Blinking Traffic Lights in Braintree

BRAINTREE, MA — If you've driven past Thayer Academy and Town Hall this week, chances are you noticed that the traffic lights at the intersection of Washington and Union Streets are not working properly.

According, to Mayor Joseph Sullivan, Sunday's lightning storm may have something to do with that.

“While we are not 100 percent sure, we believe that the lighting system at this intersection was possibly struck by lightning during the thunderstorms of late Sunday night, ” Sullivan said in a release. “The amount of damage to the control panel which operates the lights indicates that.”

The Braintree Electric and Light Department has ordered new parts for the system that operates the lights, but they are not expected to arrive for several days, Sullivan said. In the interim, temporary stop signs will be posted at the intersection and the Braintree Police Department will be monitoring traffic flow.

"With the Red Line commuters and the heavy use of the intersection, everybody needs to go a little slower and be mindful of being cautious,” Sullivan said.