Think Melrose Traffic Is Getting Worse? You're Right

MELROSE, MA — We made the mistake of mentioning the 'T' word on our Melrose Patch Facebook page. Apparently it touched a nerve. And, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, for good reason. Traffic stinks.

Numbers released last week show Melrose residents had commute times to work of 32 minutes in 2016, up ever so slightly from 31.3 minutes in 2015 a big jump from 29.4 minutes in 2009. That extra 2 1/2 minutes or so, both ways, five days a week, for 50 or so weeks a year means you're spending nearly 20 more hours per year in your car.

It's not just Melrose. 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 Melrose Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

But unlike many other area towns, Melrose residents have a very visible target that has been the subject of traffic cries. The citywide 25-mile-per-hour speed limit — and its ubiquitous signage — was mentioned several times in a spirited Facebook discussion on this topic.

"Trying to drive 25mph in the city and everyone is driving up your arse, that is my biggest complaint right now. Lebanon Street is the worst."

"I think a 5 MPH change in speed limit is inconsequential and was unnecessary."

Others had more specific complaints.

"Not adhering to the 4 way stop signs. Porter and Bellevue the worst. People just drive thru if they see no cars at the intersection. Lincoln and Porter bad too."

"People go too fast, don't stop for crosswalks, are impatient at traffic lights and use their horns if they feel that you are going too slow...there should be more ticketing by the police....Main Street is always heavy traffic....."

Some offered potential reasons for the back-ups.

"It isn't that Melrose has that much more population as it is a cross route for so many destinations; to/from route 1 to 93, 128 to 1,93,99, etc. Another issue is the morning drop off for the high school - not that this is a bad thing, but the pedestrian stop light delays/crossings on the major lights like lynn fells & main or green/franklin & main really back up the cars."

"Drivers cutting through Melrose from Rte. 1 South to avoid Mystic River Bridge tolls."

The number of drivers on the road has also increased over the past few years.

The latest 2016 Census numbers show 15,141 workers over the age of 15. Not a big increase from 2015, but a sizable jump from the 13,283 in 2009.

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