Think Traffic In Malden Is Getting Worse? You're Right

MALDEN, MA — "Nightmare ... Horrific at best ... 100x worse ... Friggin horrible."

Those are a couple ways you described how bad traffic is getting around on Malden in a recent Facebook discussion on our Malden Patch page. There were some less colorful descriptors, but not many were very positive. You think Malden traffic has gotten worse. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, you're right.

Numbers released last week show Malden residents had commute times to work of 34.9 minutes in 2016, up ever so slightly from 34.8 minutes in 2015 a big jump from 30.3 minutes in 2009. That extra 4 minute, 6 seconds per day, both ways, five days a week, for 50 or so weeks a year means you're spending nearly a day and a half more in your car per year.

It's not just Malden. In Massachusetts, average commute times were 29 minutes in 2016, up 2.83% from 2015 and 4.88% since 2010. Nationally, the average commute time was 26.6 minutes in 2016, up from 25.9 minutes in 2015 and 25.2 minutes in 2010.

Subscribe to Malden Patch for more local news and real-time alerts

Eastern Avenue seemed to get the most flack on Facebook. Salem Street traffic was bashed. The Fellsway rotary was not spoken highly of.

"Traffic is the worst I have ever seen and lived in Malden for 40 + years doesn't help the whole city is under construction and that construction never seems to get finished," Robert Fiore said.

Marie Silkes Iapicca said, "Awful. Eastern Ave and Salem street going from Edgeworth to Maplewood or other direction. Pleasant street is ridiculous. Accidents at the rotary of highland and lynn fells. Just take out rotary and put lights in. End of problem."

Some blamed apartments and some feared what traffic will be when Wynn Casino opens up. Some think it's a 'people' problem.

"Lived in Malden over 30 years it’s never been worse. ... Too many people too many cars," Tony Grossi said.

Grossi isn't too far off. Eight years ago there were 29,332 workers 16 or older, according to the Census. In 2016 that number spiked to 31,692.

It wasn't all traffic-fuels vitriol on Facebook. One poster, Derek Eggiman, said Malden drivers should try Cambridge at rush hour and then say whether there is Malden.

"Malden itself has basically the least traffic of any town in the area, very rarely do I ever have to stop for cars, even during prime rush hour."

Got any traffic war stories to share? Any ideas how Malden can fix this problem? Think it's overblown? Sign up for a free account on Patch and fire away. Email mike.carraggi@patch.com with questions.

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash