Petition Calls for Full Traffic Light at Dangerous Tewksbury Intersection

TEWKSBURY, MA — The intersection of Salem Road and South Street in Tewksbury is the most dangerous in town and among the most dangerous intersections in the state according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and residents are tired of it.

An online petition to the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen has been started demanding the installation of a full traffic light at South and Salem. The petition currently has 305 supporters, 265 of which are located in Tewksbury.

"During rush hours traffic is backed up to Main Street due to the number of cars trying to take right and left turns while others are going straight across," reads the description of the petition."This intersection needs a full traffic light with turn arrows to help alleviate congestion at rush hour and avoid serious accidents and fatalities. "

The organizer identified on the petition as Donna Colella was not immediately available for a comment. We'll let you know when we hear back.

While the petition indicates that the intersection is the intersection is the 51st most dangerous intersection in the Commonwealth, the MassDOT's most recent data indicates that the intersection is tied for No. 46 on the state's list of intersections where crashes most commonly occur.

According to MassDOT's interactive crash map detailing crash clusters at specific intersections, there were 54 total crashes at the intersection between 2012 and 2014. Sixteen injury crashes and 38 property damage only crashes were reported.

The Tewksbury Department of Public Works was not immediately available to be reached for a comment on the petition. You can view the full petition here.

Image via Google Maps Screenshot.