Residents Say High-Speed Train Station Traffic Making Neighborhood Unsafe

MANSFIELD, MA — With a two-year construction project at the train station and more cars being allowed to park at the station parking lots in the interim, residents in the area say the increase in cars combined with a high rate of speed is making the neighborhood dangerous.

Several residents from the neighborhood near the private train station lots appeared in front of the selectmen Wednesday.

Rochelle Rodrigue of Draper Avenue said the evening commute is a parade of cars from Allan Street to Chauncy Street and they often don’t obey the stop signs.

“I look out my window and I see commuter after commuter going over 40 mph down the street,” she told the board.

Mansfield police recently put up a speed sign, which has slowed traffic to 30 mph, but that's still too fast, Rodrigue said. She asked the board to decrease the speed limit to 20 mph in the neighborhood.

The closure of Allan Street has also impacted the area. The street, owned by the owners of the lot at 75 Chauncy St., was recently closed with little notice to the town. Board members said they are powerless because the street is privately owned.

Bonnie Whalen, who also lives in the neighborhood, said she saw five near-accidents one morning.

“They are going 35-40 mph and they are not slowing down,” Whalen said.

The board did vote to lower the speed limit to 20 mph, but was told by town counsel Paul DeRensis that it would be best to hold a public meeting before lowering the speed limit. DeRensis said he would check if a hearing is needed.

Image: File Photo