Think Medford Traffic Is Worse? You're Right

MEDFORD, MA — Tell us how you really feel, Medford.

We asked on our Medford Patch Facebook page what you thought about traffic in the city. The responses came fast - and certainly furious.

"You're asking this facetiously, right? Unless you're living in a bubble, you don't need us to tell you that traffic is insane," Mary E. Renda wrote.

OK, we get it. Unfortunately it appears Mary and the others are right.

Numbers released last week show Medford residents had commute times to work of 32.2 minutes in 2016, up ever so slightly from 30.1 minutes in 2015 a big jump from 27.3 minutes in 2009. That extra 4 minute, 9 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 Medford. 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.

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No one had particularly nice things to say about Wellington. Medford Square wasn't very popular, either. And don't get people started on what it might look like when the Green Line Extension and Wynn Casino finally get going.

Simply put: People just don't like what's going on.

"Traffic is awful! I live on Elm street and depending on what time of day I can’t get in or out of my driveway!"

"Terrible....everywhere surrounding the Wellington area, and intersection of South and Main Street"

"Even on side streets the traffic is ridiculous. I avoid Boston Ave on the Tufts side of rte 16 whenever possible. There needs to be a staggered light on Boston ave at the intersection with Winthrop street. You could be stuck there for 2 or 3 cycles if you have enough people taking left turns."

So what gives? Why is traffic getting worse and worse? One reason could be the increase in cars on the road.

Eight years ago there were 29,120 workers 16 or older, according to the Census. In 2016 that number spiked to 31,635.

Got any traffic war stories to share? Any ideas how Medford 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