Waltham To Implement Railroad Crossing Safety Plans

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham will be implementing approved safety plans at each of the four at-grade railroad crossings in the city starting Thursday, July 22, said city officials in an announcement Tuesday.

The purpose of the safety plans is to ensure that drivers approaching the railroad crossings cannot cross the center of the roadway to bypass a lowered railroad gate, which would risk collision with an oncoming train.

After the safety plans are implemented, they will be reviewed by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and if they are approved, MBTA trains will no longer be required to sound their horns at Waltham's at-grade railroad crossings.

The following railroad crossings are included in the safety plans:

• Beaver St.: 60-foot long medians will be installed at either side of the railroad crossing. Construction will begin Thursday, July 22.
• Elm St.: A 60-foot long median will be installed on the north side of the tracks and an 88-foot long median will be installed on the south side of the tracks. Construction barrels will also be placed in the left lane of Elm Street northbound. Construction will begin Tuesday, July 27.
• Moody St.: A 60-foot long median will be installed on the north side of the tracks and a 71-foot wide median will be installed on the south side of the tracks. Construction will begin Thursday, July 22.
• South St.: A 100-foot long median will be installed north of the tracks and a 72-foot long median will be installed south of the tracks. Construction will begin Monday, July 26.

More information on Waltham's railroad crossing safety plans can be found here.