TEWKSBURY, MA — Drivers who use the intersection of Whipple Road and Pine Street will soon need to stop in every direction as the town moves forward with a traffic safety project aimed at reducing crashes.
The project will convert the current two-way stop into an all-way stop, meaning vehicles approaching the intersection from all four directions will be required to come to a complete stop before proceeding.
According to the town, the intersection has been the site of numerous crashes in recent years. Officials said the layout of the intersection, limited sight lines and wide turning corners have contributed to safety concerns.
A traffic study found the intersection does not meet the requirements for a traffic signal, but it does qualify for an all-way stop under federal traffic guidelines.
The project will also include new pavement markings, "Stop Ahead" warnings, solar-powered flashing stop signs, granite curbing and short sections of sidewalk at the intersection. Those sidewalks are intended to connect with a larger Whipple Road sidewalk project planned for the future.
Electronic message boards will be placed near the intersection before and after the change to alert drivers to the new traffic pattern.
Town officials also applied for a MassDOT grant to help pay for some of the new signs and equipment.
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