MassDOT Proposes Three Sets of Lights for Samoset Street

The eastern-most end of Route 44 runs .83 miles. The Department of Transportation plans improvements all along its short length.

A public hearing in the library Monday night revealed details of the plan. It will cost an estimated $4.4 million. The plans are at the 25 percent completion stage. No time frame for the beginning or completion of the project exists at this stage.

The project has a goal of improving pedestrian access. So, it proposes to repair or replace sidewalks throughout, making them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to create a signalized crosswalk at the Route 3 intersection.

The project would re-stripe Samoset Street in front of the Hess station to create a left-turn-only lane onto Royal Street.

The traffic signals at Court Street would receive an upgrade to improve the vehicle detection system.

A redesign of North Park Avenue would eliminate the confusion drivers encounter on the curve at its midpoint and increase off-street parking. Ornamental street lighting would mimic the lights downtown.

The project would also replace all the catch basins along Samoset Street east of Route 3.

The biggest change would be new traffic lights at three intersections: Oak Street, Chestnut Street/Standish Ave. and Allerton Street.

"The system is going to be coordinated," project engineer John Diaz said.

Synchronizing the timing of the lights the length of the project will allow traffic to move through them all at a constant rate of speed.

Four residents of side streets objected to the signalization, but would not comment on the record.