Should West Newton Mass Pike interchange be "full access"? -- Newton Corner Working Group Meeting Tuesday 3/31

[Julia Anne Malakie]

Hello West Newton residents,

There is another meeting coming up Tuesday of MassDOT's Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study Working Group. These meetings are public and on Zoom and you can register here:

https://www.mass.gov/event/newton-corner-long-term-planning-study-working-group-meeting-4-03-31-2026

In addition to reviewing alternatives for reconfiguring the Newton Corner "circle of death" and surrounding traffic pattern, the Working Group is also still considering changing the West Newton Mass Pike interchange to "full access" (adding westbound on-ramp and eastbound off-ramp). The purpose would be to relieve some of the traffic burden on Newton Corner. This is an enlargement from the meeting materials for the Tuesday meeting:

The West Newton redesign could be combined with any of Newton Corner alternatives.

Unlike the conceptual drawing from previous Working Group and public meetings, this version appears to show the new ramps being built on property MassDOT already owns, as opposed to running the eastbound exit ramp down what is now Simms Court (where the Burke & Blackington funeral home and two houses are), and perhaps taking a further strip of land along the stretch behind Curve Street and St. Bernard's where so much displacement happened in the 1960s when the Mass Pike was built. But it would, as pictured above, merge the eastbound exit ramp traffic with traffic coming over the bridge.

There would presumably be impacts on West Newton traffic in the vicinity which could be both negative (more volume and complexity at the signalized intersection at Washington & Perkins St) and positive (an easier way for West Newton and other northside residents to get on the Mass Pike westbound, or off eastbound). So it's worth paying attention to.

Regards,

Julia Malakie

Ward 3 Councilor

Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study

Working Group Meeting #4 – Discussion Materials

 

Dear Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study Working Group,

In advance of the fourth study Working Group meeting on Tuesday, March 31^st, MassDOT has posted draft study alternatives on the study website for discussion. These concept-level alternatives are preliminary and intended to illustrate intent rather than detailed design.

The draft alternatives were developed based on feedback throughout the study, including at the third Working Group meeting and the second public meeting. Tuesday’s meeting will walk through these alternatives and present them for feedback prior to alternatives analysis.

Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study Working Group Meeting #4 Virtual via Zoom: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing the fourth Working Group meeting of the Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. You will receive an email from Zoom with information to join the webinar as a panelist. The Newton Corner I-90 Exit 127 (formerly Exit 17) Interchange is a major local and regional connecting point in Greater Boston’s transportation network. The interchange is known for frequent, severe congestion, and is designated a high crash location. MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning is carrying out this long-term planning study to develop and evaluate future travel conditions and alternatives for the interchange and its environs. At this meeting, the study team will review feedback from the second Public Information Meeting, present draft alternatives, and discuss the evaluation criteria for alternatives analysis. This will include a discussion with members of the Working Group. The meeting materials will be available after the meeting on the study website.  While this is a Working Group meeting and will be conducted as such, per open meeting law the meeting is also open to the public. For more information, please visit the study’s website: https://www.mass.gov/newton-corner-long-term-planning-study. These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. Accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge, upon request, as available. Such services include documents in alternate formats, translated materials, assistive listening devices, and interpreters (including American Sign Language). For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT's Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone (857-368-8580), fax (857-368-0602), TTD/TTY (857-368-0603) or by email at MASSDOT.C...@dot.state.ma.us.   Questions?   Contact Us STAY CONNECTED:   SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe All  |  Subscription Help

[Michael Halle]

I would anticipate that making the West Newton interchange with the Pike "full access" would induce significant traffic to Washington St,  West Newton Square, and connecting streets (Elm, Cherry, Waltham, Watertown, Highland). West Newton Square in particular is sensitive to large increases in traffic because of its complex roadway pattern.

Such a change would be contrary to Newton's vehicle trip reduction ordinance. It would induce more traffic, not relieve Newton Corner. Much of that traffic would be through traffic, not traffic bringing customers to West Newton businesses.

MassDOT planners were asked by the public to bring this concept forward, and I appreciate that they did as a point of discussion.

However, the Newton Corner long term planning study is trying to mitigate some of the failures of last century's highway engineering. This West Newton proposal is doubling down by creating a second version of the "circle of death". 

A new West Newton Commuter Rail station near the largest commuter parking lot in the area would be a better investment with more positive community impact.

-Mike

[Mary Lewis]

Mike I agree, and would not want to see any impact on a neighborhood that was historically dismantled in the 60's.

Mary Reardon Lewis, Realtor

The Reardon Team

William Raveis R.E. & Home Services

18 Arlington Street, Boston MA 02116

617-429-3818

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[Shari G]

I agree with Mike and Mary on this.  I keep coming back to the same concern. This doesn’t really solve Newton Corner, t shifts the problem into West Newton.

West Newton is already strained in very real, everyday ways. Traffic is difficult, parking is limited, and nearby residential streets are already carrying more volume and higher speeds than they should.

I’m looking out at Waltham Street as I write this (5:55pm), and it already feels like a through-road. Cars are moving fast (faster than they used to). The City recently added flashing crosswalk lights because of that.  Consider the turn restrictions at Washington and Waltham Streets because people regularly ignore them. So we’re not starting from a controlled or well-behaved system, we’re starting from one that’s already under pressure.

I understand the argument that the proposed ramps are not right at Waltham or Chestnut, or Cherry or Elm.  But traffic changes don’t stay where they’re built. Once you introduce a new way on and off the Pike, people adjust. Routes change. Apps pick it up. And that’s when nearby streets start functioning differently, not because they were redesigned, but because they become useful as connectors.

The proposed new eastbound off ramp still funnels into Washington and Perkins, and that system is already stressed. At certain times of day, especially when coming from Route 16 into West Newton Square, Washington Street is essentially a line of idling cars. 

This feels like a fundamental change, not a small adjustment.  It's not something that could easily be reversed either. 

A few questions I’d want answered:

• How many additional cars are expected to enter West Newton each day as a result of this change?
• What do projected backups at Washington/Perkins and Washington/Chestnut look like during peak hours?
• How does this affect the existing eastbound flow from Route 16 into Washington Street, which is already backed up?
• What is the expected impact on nearby streets like Waltham and Cherry, where speeding and unsafe behavior are already occurring?
• How will changes in routing behavior (including navigation apps) be accounted for?
• If traffic increases on local streets, what is the plan to manage speed and safety?

Shari

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[Mary Lewis]

As I traveled around today, I became more concerned.

I have never given a second thought about getting on Mass Pike west from River Rd..

Has Mass Dot now realized the mess they made on Comm Ave in Auburndale, and looking for ways to mitigate that.

Mary Reardon Lewis
William Raveis Real Estate
617-429-3818

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[Susan Connors]

I agree. West Newton is a mess and dangerous. Waltham Street is frightening- the speed is beyond belief- walking or driving- I mostly walk but do drive. So unsafe. 

No police presence. The Wild West. What have we become????? 

Sent from my iPhone

Susan Connors

Boston Children's Hospital

Vascular Biology Program

Karp Family Research Laboratories

1 Blackfan Circle

Boston, MA 02115

On Mar 30, 2026, at 6:01 PM, Shari G <sh...@sharigoldin.com> wrote:



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[Shari G]

Regarding Waltham Street.  Cars are likely traveling faster on Waltham St. than on Washington St right now. Why?  Possibly pent up

energy and frustration of waiting at lights or having to navigate some of turns, lines, and changes on Washington St, which creates stress. Waltham St open in comparison. The Wild West, as Susan wrote. It would be very useful to have traffic engineers monitor the street, especially in the mornings and afternoons/early evenings. 

Anyway, back to the topic and subject at hand - creating on and off ramps in West Newton to the pike. It’s never just one thing that will change.  And rather than asking if the ramps will alleviate some of the pressure and back up at Newton Corner, it will be important to consider the full implications a traffic circle or merging car lanes (another circle of death or differently named scenario) in West Newton.  

Shari

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[Peter F. Harrington, Esq.]

After 60 years in West Newton Square, I am surprised at very little, when it comes to traffic.  I have witnessed two major renovations intended to improve conditions; including, the elimination of the U turn from Washington to Watertown Street by extending to corner of Washington & Watertown Streets westerly (now the Chestnut Street traffic goes to Eddy Street), the elimination of a left turn onto Waltham St for eastbound traffic (but  people still make that left turn); new lane markings, more traffic lights (there must have been a sale); the elimination of police officers;  all of which have worked wonderfully for those that want to make life difficult for automobile drivers.  This morning westbound traffic on Washington St. was backed up to Jacob's Gas Station, the light at Chestnut Street was green and the light at Waltham Street was red.  It was quite a sight.  25 to 30 cars wanting to move forward and being held up by 4 or 5 traffic lights.  No flashing walk lights, no pedestrians to block traffic,  just machine against machine.

Enough with expert advice; smart kids with common sense could do better.

Peter F. Harrington

Attorney at Law

505 Waltham Street

West Newton, MA  02465

617-558-7722

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[Anne Goldbach]

The ridiculous “road diet” has put more traffic pressure on many parallel streets including Watertown Street, Austin Street and even Commonwealth Avenue.   Lowell Avenue runs along the east side of our house and the traffic has increased on Lowell Avenue too.  

The road diet must be stopped asap.  Forget the 3 year experiment -it has already proven that it is a failure!

Traffic is going to be much worse after all those developments are completed along Craft and Washington Streets, too. 

Best,

Anne

Anne Goldbach

On Mar 31, 2026, at 12:21 PM, 'Peter F. Harrington, Esq.' via West Newton Community <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/1800660532.1379533.1774972765256%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Michael Halle]

Peter Harrington's email noted a significant backup at the Chestnut St. traffic signal westbound on Washington Street this morning. I agree this signal is challenging, and I also agree that there are likely some adjustments that can be made so that traffic at the Watertown light doesn't spill back into the Chestnut Street intersection.

Peter's email also said: "After 60 years in West Newton Square ... I have witnessed two major renovations intended to improve conditions; including, the elimination of the U turn from Washington to Watertown Street by extending to corner of Washington & Watertown Streets westerly"

Wouldn't allowing this turn bring even more traffic into the already congested 3-W (Watertown / Waltham / Washington ) intersection?

"...the elimination of a left turn onto Waltham St for eastbound traffic (but people still make that left turn)"

The turn from Washington St eastbound to Waltham St northbound has been prohibited since at least 2007. If it were allowed, queues would back up into the Highland Street intersection. See Google Street view here from October 2007:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rsjzpLaAV7HmaC4J6

"...more traffic lights (there must have been a sale)..."

The West Newton Square redesign actually removed a signal at the 3-W intersection (westbound, there was one at Chestnut, then Watertown, then Waltham). That intersection was always nerve-racking and bad for drivers and pedestrians. Here's the street view from 2016:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zVWeG7xBeUpH2LCY7

"Enough with expert advice; smart kids with common sense could do better."

This is a not uncommon refrain. I've heard it more often said about lawyers. In my experience, it's equally inaccurate.

--Mike

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/1800660532.1379533.1774972765256%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Damien Croteau-Chonka]

To put numbers to Anne's concern about traffic changes to nearby routes as a result of the Washington Street Pilot, see the conclusion of the Fall 2025 study (https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/135647/639052999107970000) on page 28:

Project Success Metric: Average daily traffic on potential diversion routes has not increased by more than 20%. 

Status as of Fall 2025: Count programs indicate no substantial increase on potential diversion routes.

 More narrative detail is found on page 12.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/6A35B149-EEDF-499F-AEAC-219210A577EC%40gmail.com.

[didi_614]

I Agree with Peter 100% - I unfortunately had to drive through West Newton twice today and it was a MESS.  The lights are not synchronized at all and there were tons of cars.  I avoid West Newton square/ Washington St as much as I can but today I was not able to. 

And if they really make this Mass Pike Change - It will be a bigger disaster IMHO.

Thanks Joanne 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/1800660532.1379533.1774972765256%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Anne Goldbach]

If you look at many of these emails you will see that people’s experiences conflict with these suspect findings.  The previous administration bought into the “Complete Streets” propaganda in a big way. There are probably other roads in Newton that could benefit from a road diet. Washington Street is not one of them.  A recent survey showed that a significant majority of responders had negative experiences and opinions on this “road diet.”  

Anne Goldbach

On Mar 31, 2026, at 1:28 PM, Damien Croteau-Chonka <dami...@gmail.com> wrote:



To put numbers to Anne's concern about traffic changes to nearby routes as a result of the Washington Street Pilot, see the conclusion of the Fall 2025 study (https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/135647/639052999107970000) on page 28:

Project Success Metric: Average daily traffic on potential diversion routes has not increased by more than 20%. 

Status as of Fall 2025: Count programs indicate no substantial increase on potential diversion routes.

 More narrative detail is found on page 12.

On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 12:51 PM Anne Goldbach <agoldb...@gmail.com> wrote:

The ridiculous “road diet” has put more traffic pressure on many parallel streets including Watertown Street, Austin Street and even Commonwealth Avenue.   Lowell Avenue runs along the east side of our house and the traffic has increased on Lowell Avenue too.  

The road diet must be stopped asap.  Forget the 3 year experiment -it has already proven that it is a failure!

Traffic is going to be much worse after all those developments are completed along Craft and Washington Streets, too. 

Best,

Anne

Anne Goldbach

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[Howard Rosenof]

i agree with the concerns expressed here by Anne and others. "Full access" it seems to me will primarily benefit commuters traveling through Newton - people who for the most part neither reside nor work here. It will burden residents of West Newton. And while Washington Street would seem to be the natural route for people commuting further east who don't want  to get off the Pike at Newton Corner, I suspect that many of the same people who lack the patience for Newton Corner will also not be too happy with the one-lane Washington Street Slalom, and over time discover our local roads like Watertown Street, straighter and with fewer lights.

As for traffic studies, I'll just note that the relationship between traffic volumes and delays can be highly nonlinear. In other words, a 10% increase in traffic volume at 3 in the morning probably wouldn't make much of a difference, but the same percentage during rush hour can make a big difference. (Such phenomena are seen in many other places, like communication networks.) And let's keep in mind that there are about 350 new apartment units under construction just along one small part of Washington Street, and more in the pipeline.

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[Michael Halle]

Here are some charts showing the hour-by-hour average traffic counts and speeds on Watertown and Lowell in the fall of 2024 before the project began, and in 2025 a month or so after completion. (We don't have comparison data for Austin St because it was under construction in 2024).

This data is just Tuesday-Thursday averages/medians to capture the highest volume days.

Traffic volumes on Watertown at two locations are about the same or slightly lower in 2025. Traffic speeds on Watertown are lower eastbound and somewhat higher westbound compared to 2024.

Volumes and speeds on Lowell (both south and north of Washington St) are close to unchanged from 2024 to 2025.

I'm happy to delve into the data to try and answer other questions anyone may have.

--Mike

[Mary Lewis]

Michael,

I appreciate they are trying to support with data, it is what drive many choices, however, I for one will drive to Waltham or Watertown or Wellesley during weekdays to avoid West Newton Square, and I am walking distance to the square.  I am pretty sure I am not the only one.

Mary Reardon Lewis, Realtor

The Reardon Team

William Raveis R.E. & Home Services

18 Arlington Street, Boston MA 02116

617-429-3818

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[Nancy Mazzapica]

I rely on real life experiences with regards to traffic and the nightmares we are dealing with on a daily basis 

The Complete Street / Washington St Pilot is a disaster 

Nancy Mazzapica 

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[René Milet]

OK, just want to give voice to a slightly different perspective.

I live about five blocks from West Newton Square.  I drive through it or just slightly around it (e.g., using Elm & Webster) almost every day of my life.  I frequent the pharmacy, the theater, the restaurants, the dry cleaners, Paper Mouse, etc weekly.  I walk into the square and through it.  I cycle from West Newton to Newtonville and points beyond. 

And as I read some of these emails feel like I'm living in a separate universe from the writers.  I don't recognize the West Newton that I know in some of the adjectives attached to it here.  "Nightmares" and "disaster" simply don't reflect my experience, or those of my family.  If anything I find Washington St. much more pleasant and safe than before the redesign and changes.  Is it a bit slower by car?  Yeah.  But don't you need to slow down cars a bit if you want to have a Village, or some semblance of a Main Street in the true sense?  

Seeing so many disgruntled neighbors here, I begin to wonder if there's something wrong with me, some kind of desensitization from years of navigating downtown Boston -- some fundamental atrophy of the traffic congestion-awareness section of the brain, or a deficit of the hormones that support irritation. 

With that, I'll crawl back into my lair....

René Milet 

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[didi_614]

Mary - I totally agree -you are not the only one that avoids this area -  I try to avoid this area at all costs too.  I actually have not been to the Trader Joes in West Newton in months.  I prefer to drive to the Trader Joes in  Needham rather than take my chances with the mess that has been created on Washington Street.

Joanne 

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[René Milet]

Joanne, I want to understand your perspective better, and I’m wondering if you can help me out here:  as a West Newton resident , how is it more convenient for you to drive all the way to the TJs in Needham?   When you say you don’t want to take your chances with Washington St in West Newton, what are you referring to?  The risk of a collision with another car?  With a pedestrian ?  A bottleneck of such duration as to make Needham worth it?  I’m genuinely puzzled, and open to hearing your perspective.  

Thanks, René

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René Milet Hernández       

renem...@gmail.com   

[Emily Honig]

I totally agree, Rene. As a neighbor, I don't think the Washington Street changes are perfect, but it's a huge improvement and I wonder if the people who claim they avoid it are local residents vs. people who drive through and miss the 4-lane superhighway that used to be there. I would encourage all of us to think about things not just from the perspective of "will this take me more time to drive through."

As for the West Newton interchange proposal -- I appreciate MassDOT bringing it forward, but if the goal of the Newton Corner Working Group is to help knit that neighborhood back together, I would note that West Newton was also divided in half by the Pike. Increasing the amount of highway traffic coming through West Newton would surely compound that harm beyond any extent it would help Newton Corner (which benefit seems highly debatable). 

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--

Best,

Emily

[Peter F. Harrington, Esq.]

Michael,

I really shouldn't respond to your questions but, since it is late in the day, I'll stay late and try to help you understand the problems, as seen from a lowly non-expert.

Signage and a workable plan to get traffic from West Newton Square to Crafts St and Waltham might be helpful.  If traffic would back up to Highland, why ?  Where does it come from and where does it go now ?  

I think a controlled U turn  onto Watertown Street would be worth looking into, particularly since we are piloting other traffic control methods.  We could at least give it try.  The people most inconvenienced by such a turn would be those exiting CVS parking lot and turning easterly onto Watertown Street.

How will Dunstan East and the armory developments impact the problem in West Newton Square?  I know most everyone is supposed to take public transportation, but, will they obey?

Thank you for the kind words about lawyers.  We need them.

Peter F. Harrington

Peter F. Harrington

Attorney at Law

505 Waltham Street

West Newton, MA  02465

617-558-7722

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[didi_614]

It is the fear of getting hit by another car when I come out of the Trader Joes parking lot.  And seriously yes the Needham TJ  is further away to go but it has easier parking and it is worth the extra drive.  And as I said earlier - I also live in West Newton and avoid the square /Washington street. Today I had to go that way to get to NWH and it was a nightmare.  I really should have gone thru Auburndale to avoid the traffic and the lights that are not coordinated.  And some of us cannot ride a bike or walk long distances so that it is not an option. 

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[Rene Milet]

Thank you for explaining Joanne, that makes sense.  I too find that TJ exit can be stressful, due to the limited sight lines.  That’s definitely one of the spots that could and should be improved, even if (for me at least ) the overall street design works better than before.

Best regards, René 

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[Lynne LeBlanc]

It is clear that "tyranny of experts" is an apt phrase (which Peter alluded to), but I'm often surprised at who considers themselves an "expert". 

There are many experts in the legal, political, and public administration fields - to wit, Mark Twain: "I was educated once but it took me years to get over it." I mean that in jest of course, but whether one is a lawyer, politician, city administrator, or simply a person with policy influence: it's not about one's profession, it's about whether or not one hears. IMHO, the listening class is expanding while the hearing class is shrinking. Thus is the "tyrranny of experts."

Lynne

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Lynne LeBlanc
43 Brookdale Rd.
Newton, MA 02460
617.510.8032 (c)
LynneL...@gmail.com

[Michael Halle]

Let me take a non-expert stab at answering Peter's questions.

The turn from Washington Street westbound to Watertown St eastbound first. This turn was allowed before the redesign, but the turn angle is incredibly tight (about 130°). During the planning meetings the police had reported that trucks had gotten stuck trying to make the turn. It really should have been even wider than it was to accommodate fire vehicles.

With that turn in place, the pedestrian crosswalk from the CVS over to Sweet Tomatoes was quite long. I've attached a picture of the old design from the project presentation. Note that to get from the CVS over to Paper Mouse (for instance) requires two light cycles and extra walking.

Eliminating the turn allowed the plaza to be built. The crossing across Watertown St is significantly shortened, and the new crosswalk across Washington St can generally be crossed with it in one light cycle because the walk signal stops all traffic.

Let's look at a hypothetical turn from Washington eastbound to Watertown eastbound.

The cars making this turn would share the turn lane with traffic turning onto Watertown eastbound. But traffic turns onto Watertown westbound at the same time Watertown eastbound. That couldn't happen when traffic is turning left onto Waltham northbound: they'd conflict. So you'd have to give less time to Watertown westbound. Watertown westbound already backs up, so that would make things worse.

There's also only space for 11 cars waiting to turn onto Watertown St. There's no doubt that turning onto Waltham St. would be popular, so popular that more than 11 cars (or fewer larger vehicles) would queue up. Anything more would push back past the Highland signal, possibly blocking that intersection. And six more cars would then push back into the Cherry Street intersection, which would completely screw up operations there.

As I said, left turns onto Waltham St from Washington have been prohibited for a long time - maybe someone knows when. There is, unfortunately, no great way to get drivers from Waltham to Washington St that doesn't make traffic worse and doesn't put traffic on a neighborhood street.

I agree that letting people know what to do rather than just telling them what not to do is a good idea. It's tough here. I guess that's what GPS does (imperfectly).

While the current backups in West Newton Square remain irritating, looking back at the old pictures gives me no nostalgia, especially as someone who walks in the square.

--Mike

[Pam RCN]

Living just a block from WN square, I see and hear the congestion all the time. When I hear lots of beeping, I investigste what’s happening and relay that info to our Traffic people. I’ve personally done traffic counts at the Chestnut and Washington intersection and also Watertown westbound at Washington st. for multiple hours when we had no traffic engineers and give the info to Ned Codd.

Generally, the lights are timed to keep Washington st moving. Unfortunately, this then can back up traffic on the feeder streets.

Many times westbound Washington can be only 1 light cycle but Watertown westbound is backed up for 4 or 5 light cycles. Drivers get so frustrated that they won’t let me through on my bike to go eastbound on Watertown st from Eden Ave. I’m hoping this can be resolved now that we have 2 traffic engineers (we were without any for 6+ months).

When the walk signal is pushed, it can take 5 or more minutes (I believe) before the lights are synchronized again and traffic may back up.

The southbound Waltham st light can sometimes have a mind of its own and won’t change for many light cycles. This happened recently again and a friend got out to direct traffic. I’ve also seen the police help with traffic at this intersection.

Dunstan East (now Newton Crossing) will be opening buildings 1 and 2 this summer and building 3 late fall if everything goes as planned. This is 297 apartments. Dunstan St will go back to 2 way but I have concerns on all this traffic trying to get onto Washington st. I brought this issue to the administration and should hear back within a week or so. Originally there was no plan since the traffic study didn’t justify it but in real life turning from the side streets onto Washington st can easily back up with just a few cars. I want us to be proactive instead of reactive. And this will dump more cars into WN square.

I will be working with the other ward 3 councilors on the light timing and hopefully other improvements.

Pam Wright

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 1, 2026, at 5:49 AM, Michael Halle <m...@halle.us> wrote:
>
> Let me take a non-expert stab at answering Peter's questions.

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> <Screenshot 2026-03-31 at 10.00.08 PM.png>
> <Screenshot 2026-03-31 at 9.46.34 PM.png>

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[Pam RCN]

[Pam RCN]

Living just a block from WN square, I see and hear the congestion all the time. When I hear lots of beeping, I investigste what’s happening and relay that info to our Traffic people. I’ve personally done traffic counts at the Chestnut and Washington intersection and also Watertown westbound at Washington st. for multiple hours when we had no traffic engineers and give the info to Ned Codd.

Generally, the lights are timed to keep Washington st moving. Unfortunately, this then can back up traffic on the feeder streets.

Many times westbound Washington can be only 1 light cycle but Watertown westbound is backed up for 4 or 5 light cycles. Drivers get so frustrated that they won’t let me through on my bike to go eastbound on Watertown st from Eden Ave. I’m hoping this can be resolved now that we have 2 traffic engineers (we were without any for 6+ months).

When the walk signal is pushed, it can take 5 or more minutes (I believe) before the lights are synchronized again and traffic may back up.

The southbound Waltham st light can sometimes have a mind of its own and won’t change for many light cycles. This happened recently again and a friend got out to direct traffic. I’ve also seen the police help with traffic at this intersection.

Dunstan East (now Newton Crossing) will be opening buildings 1 and 2 this summer and building 3 late fall if everything goes as planned. This is 297 apartments. Dunstan St will go back to 2 way but I have concerns on all this traffic trying to get onto Washington st. I brought this issue to the administration and should hear back within a week or so. Originally there was no plan since the traffic study didn’t justify it but in real life turning from the side streets onto Washington st can easily back up with just a few cars. I want us to be proactive instead of reactive. And this will dump more cars into WN square.

I will be working with the other ward 3 councilors on the light timing and hopefully other improvements.

Pam Wright

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 1, 2026, at 5:49 AM, Michael Halle <m...@halle.us> wrote:
>

> Let me take a non-expert stab at answering Peter's questions.

[Anne Goldbach]

Thank you for all your efforts and observations,Pam. It’s great to know that we now have two traffic engineers, too.

Best,
Anne


Anne Goldbach

> On Apr 1, 2026, at 10:15 AM, Pam RCN <pamw...@rcn.com> wrote:
>
> Living just a block from WN square, I see and hear the congestion all the time. When I hear lots of beeping, I investigste what’s happening and relay that info to our Traffic people. I’ve personally done traffic counts at the Chestnut and Washington intersection and also Watertown westbound at Washington st. for multiple hours when we had no traffic engineers and give the info to Ned Codd.

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/283A369D-9914-4D84-B183-A135B9EFB761%40rcn.com.

[Mary Lewis]

Thank you Pam, your real time observations are appreciated.  Do you know if the parking areas of the apartments will be ready when they open later this year? Or, will the new residents be parking on Washington and Watertown as the construction workers do?

Mary Reardon Lewis, Realtor

The Reardon Team

William Raveis R.E. & Home Services

18 Arlington Street, Boston MA 02116

617-429-3818

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/283A369D-9914-4D84-B183-A135B9EFB761%40rcn.com.

[Michael Halle]

With regard to Dunstan East / Newton Crossing, we will have to watch closely what happens. I suspect, though, that the current intensive traffic to the worksite itself by hundreds of tradespeople coming and going, many with large vehicles, will be the peak traffic inconvenience and volume for the site.

We have experience that traffic volumes from residential units are seldom anywhere near as bad as people fear, for reasons I can't really explain.

We have experience with Trio and Austin Street in the past few years. The residential component of both (and even the commercial elements most of the time) haven't proven to be more than a minor contributor to traffic congestion in the area. Before that Avalon on Needham St was the big concern.

Sure, there will be traffic. It just isn't as much as you'd expect. Proximity to Trader Joe's on Armory St will remain a big issue because of the weird TJ's parking lot.

--Mike

[Nancy Mazzapica]

Thank you Pam for this . I have also experienced significant back ups on Waltham  and Chestnut St  at Washington St which seems to have intensified over the past several weeks . Agree that the lights are timed for several cycles to keep the traffic flowing on Washington st at the expense of the feeders.  Many of us don’t have the luxury  of working from home  and need to cross town to get there or to visit family snd it s frustrating ! 

I recently tried  to cross Washington St at the lights to go to WN Cinema with three very rambunctious grandchildren and it was treacherous . Had to wait for 5 traffic cycles and the traffic was speeding. There were others waiting as well who had the same complaints . Won t attempt this walking route again .  

 

We need to prepare for the onslaught of additional vehicles with the opening of Dunstan East 

Sooner vs later ! 

Nancy Mazzapica 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/AD3B54E6-A5D7-405D-8039-7400F33E5902%40rcn.com.

[Adrienne Hartzell Knudsen]

Thanks Julia!  This is interesting.  I appreciate your sharing.

Adrienne Knudsen

PS  Nice to see you at the rally yesterday!

On Sun, Mar 29, 2026 at 10:53 PM Julia Anne Malakie <juliaann...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello West Newton residents,

There is another meeting coming up Tuesday of MassDOT's Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study Working Group. These meetings are public and on Zoom and you can register here:

https://www.mass.gov/event/newton-corner-long-term-planning-study-working-group-meeting-4-03-31-2026

In addition to reviewing alternatives for reconfiguring the Newton Corner "circle of death" and surrounding traffic pattern, the Working Group is also still considering changing the West Newton Mass Pike interchange to "full access" (adding westbound on-ramp and eastbound off-ramp). The purpose would be to relieve some of the traffic burden on Newton Corner. This is an enlargement from the meeting materials for the Tuesday meeting:

The West Newton redesign could be combined with any of Newton Corner alternatives.

Unlike the conceptual drawing from previous Working Group and public meetings, this version appears to show the new ramps being built on property MassDOT already owns, as opposed to running the eastbound exit ramp down what is now Simms Court (where the Burke & Blackington funeral home and two houses are), and perhaps taking a further strip of land along the stretch behind Curve Street and St. Bernard's where so much displacement happened in the 1960s when the Mass Pike was built. But it would, as pictured above, merge the eastbound exit ramp traffic with traffic coming over the bridge.

There would presumably be impacts on West Newton traffic in the vicinity which could be both negative (more volume and complexity at the signalized intersection at Washington & Perkins St) and positive (an easier way for West Newton and other northside residents to get on the Mass Pike westbound, or off eastbound). So it's worth paying attention to.

Regards,

Julia Malakie

Ward 3 Councilor

Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study

Working Group Meeting #4 – Discussion Materials

 

Dear Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study Working Group,

In advance of the fourth study Working Group meeting on Tuesday, March 31^st, MassDOT has posted draft study alternatives on the study website for discussion. These concept-level alternatives are preliminary and intended to illustrate intent rather than detailed design.

The draft alternatives were developed based on feedback throughout the study, including at the third Working Group meeting and the second public meeting. Tuesday’s meeting will walk through these alternatives and present them for feedback prior to alternatives analysis.

Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study Working Group Meeting #4 Virtual via Zoom: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing the fourth Working Group meeting of the Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. You will receive an email from Zoom with information to join the webinar as a panelist. The Newton Corner I-90 Exit 127 (formerly Exit 17) Interchange is a major local and regional connecting point in Greater Boston’s transportation network. The interchange is known for frequent, severe congestion, and is designated a high crash location. MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning is carrying out this long-term planning study to develop and evaluate future travel conditions and alternatives for the interchange and its environs. At this meeting, the study team will review feedback from the second Public Information Meeting, present draft alternatives, and discuss the evaluation criteria for alternatives analysis. This will include a discussion with members of the Working Group. The meeting materials will be available after the meeting on the study website.  While this is a Working Group meeting and will be conducted as such, per open meeting law the meeting is also open to the public. For more information, please visit the study’s website: https://www.mass.gov/newton-corner-long-term-planning-study. These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. Accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge, upon request, as available. Such services include documents in alternate formats, translated materials, assistive listening devices, and interpreters (including American Sign Language). For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT's Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone (857-368-8580), fax (857-368-0602), TTD/TTY (857-368-0603) or by email at MASSDOT.C...@dot.state.ma.us.   Questions?   Contact Us STAY CONNECTED:   SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe All  |  Subscription Help

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[Emily Honig]

Mary, the parking lot under Dunstan is already being used by their workers. There are still a few but for the most part they aren't parking on Watertown anymore (thank god)

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Best,

Emily

[J. Anita Boston]

I personally think making the West Newton Mass Pike exit be full access is a fantastic idea. I love the mockup and didn't realize it could be done so efficiently. If more traffic spews eastbound on Washington Street we can remove the bike lane pilot, too, once through West Newton Square. Traffic rarely goes far back on westbound where Washington meets Comm, so there's capacity in that direction, too. If those truly think West Newton is already too busy (agreed), then let's pause all new development until traffic is improved however that may be.

Full support. Nice job MassDot.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAJvR8dM_Sf-0MQ6kJDOkRe6%3D0PXEQyJYjNfv0Z5_1O7ezDHueQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Michael Halle]

The Trader Joe's parking lot exit and the Armory St turn on to Washington St remain locations for both care and ongoing observation. It's can be nerve racking, especially with the ongoing construction. 

That's not new, though. This location has been a hotspot for years for collisions related primarily to left turns into and out of TJ's. 

I did a quick look at the MassDOT crash reports for both the exit and Armory St. going back through 2022 but not counting the Washington St pilot (started construction July 1, 2025). See table at the bottom of this message.

The good news is that since the pilot project began, there have been no crashes at this location reported by Newton Police via MassDOT. 

Slower speeds and lane reductions have made the street safer, with angle crashes and sideswipes sharply reduced from the historical norm. That's even in the presence of construction at Armory and Newton Crossing / Dunstan East.

Crashes at Trade Joe's (driveway exit and Armory St) before pilot project

Category	2022	2023	2024	2025-7/1	Total
Left turn across traffic	1*	1*	5*	1	8 (3 injuries)
Entering roadway vs through traffic	2	1	4*	·	7 (1 injury)
Through traffic vs parked/stopped	1	2	2	·	5
Right turn vs through traffic	·	1	2	·	3
Pedestrian struck	1*	1*	·	·	2 (2 injuries)
Through traffic vs slowing vehicle	1	1	·	·	2
Other	1	·	1	1	3
Total	7	7	14	2	30 (6 injuries)

* = includes injury crash(es).    2025 data covers only through July 1.

Washington St. Pilot Project (July 1, 2025 - March 1, 2026): No roadway crashes at this location.  

[Peter F. Harrington, Esq.]

This looks like a real plan.  Was it done by people or Robots.  My guess is people, but you never know.

The East Bound off ramp seems to enter the ring road about 3 or 4 car lengths from the West Bound traffic control signal at the funeral home. The process of determining who gets the right of way, ring road traffic or Pike exit traffic, should prove interesting.

Another  point of interest is how will eastbound traffic, exiting the Pike, continue Eastbound?

If there is a dedicated lane for the traffic exiting the pike, will it end in time for the bereaved, traveling west on Washington Street, to cross lanes and enter the funeral home parking lot ?

Will there be 3 dedicated lanes; one for West Newton Hill; one for westbound Washington St traffic and one for Turnpike traffic?  If so will the traffic signals be able to accommodate the backup on the ring road ?

Will the Turnpike put up a sign advising drivers that there is no direct access to eastbound Washington St and Route 16 travel lanes ? 

Will all the new traffic require those crosswalk platforms that the City has installed between Lowell Ave and Dunstan Street ?  If not, why not ?

Then comes the question of what is the demand for such an exit and entrance?  Who will it accommodate ?

Finally, will the projects in the 1100 block on Washington Street require additional changes ?

Peter F. Harrington

505 Waltham Street

West Newton, MA  02465

617-558-7722

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAMbry5FSfJ8%2BdxPv%3D2DdV%2BBn2tM%2BewRmpyHJ6vvkdmV-%2BkqTMw%40mail.gmail.com.

[didi_614]

Could there be less Accidents because many of us are Avoiding that area?

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[Nancy Mazzapica]

Michael  and decrease in accidents is good news but I didn t see the  accident data from 1/1/25 to 7/1/25 . Did I miss it somewhere ? I also believe traffic was significantly reduced due to road construction during this time 

Nancy 

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[Michael Halle]

The column that says "2025-7/1" is short hand for "up to July 1". Sorry for the confusion.

2 crashes happened near TJ's during that time.

Since Jan. 2022, there has been no other 8 month+ interval with no crashes at the TJ's parking lot exit or Amory St.

I'll send information about Washington St. and TJ's traffic in another email.

--Mike

> On Apr 1, 2026, at 7:05 PM, Nancy Mazzapica <nsm...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Michael and decrease in accidents is good news but I didn t see the accident data from 1/1/25 to 7/1/25 . Did I miss it somewhere ? I also believe traffic was significantly reduced due to road construction during this time
> Nancy
>
> On Wed, Apr 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM Michael Halle <m...@halle.us> wrote:
> The Trader Joe's parking lot exit and the Armory St turn on to Washington St remain locations for both care and ongoing observation. It's can be nerve racking, especially with the ongoing construction.
>
> That's not new, though. This location has been a hotspot for years for collisions related primarily to left turns into and out of TJ's.
>
> I did a quick look at the MassDOT crash reports for both the exit and Armory St. going back through 2022 but not counting the Washington St pilot (started construction July 1, 2025). See table at the bottom of this message.
>
> The good news is that since the pilot project began, there have been no crashes at this location reported by Newton Police via MassDOT.
>
> Slower speeds and lane reductions have made the street safer, with angle crashes and sideswipes sharply reduced from the historical norm. That's even in the presence of construction at Armory and Newton Crossing / Dunstan East.
>
> Crashes at Trade Joe's (driveway exit and Armory St) before pilot project
>

> Category 2022 2023 2024 2025-7/1 TotalLeft turn across traffic 1* 1* 5* 1 8 (3 injuries)

> Entering roadway vs through traffic 2 1 4* · 7 (1 injury)
> Through traffic vs parked/stopped 1 2 2 · 5
> Right turn vs through traffic · 1 2 · 3
> Pedestrian struck 1* 1* · · 2 (2 injuries)
> Through traffic vs slowing vehicle 1 1 · · 2
> Other 1 · 1 1 3
> Total 7 7 14 2 30 (6 injuries)
> * = includes injury crash(es). 2025 data covers only through July 1.
> Washington St. Pilot Project (July 1, 2025 - March 1, 2026): No roadway crashes at this location.
>
>
>> On Mar 31, 2026, at 6:10 PM, Rene Milet <renem...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Thank you for explaining Joanne, that makes sense. I too find that TJ exit can be stressful, due to the limited sight lines. That’s definitely one of the spots that could and should be improved, even if (for me at least ) the overall street design works better than before.
>>
>> Best regards, René
>>
>>
>
>
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[Michael Halle]

Here's more information about traffic at Trader Joe's. 

The city collected turn data (called Turning Movement Counts, or TMCs) at both Armory and the TJ's driveway for one day, morning and afternoon, in both 2024 and 2025. Using that data, we can see about how many drivers shop at Trader Joe's.

The entry and exit numbers for 2024 and 2025 are almost exactly the same for the two years, not just total but from hour to hour. In the afternoon, the enter and exit counts is essentialyl constant the whole time (perhaps at the capacity of the parking lot). 

I chose 4PM for sample data. 

While the patterns of turns have changed some from year to year, Overall the numbers are pretty consistent, especially given the limited data. There's no indication anyone is avoiding Trader Joe's because of the pilot. 

4 PM at TJ's:

	2024	2025
IN via Armory:
Left in (from West Newton Sq)	67	57
Right in (from Newtonville)	104	117
Total in	171	174
OUT via Armory + driveway:
Left out (to Newtonville)	91	81
Right out (to West Newton Sq)	82	98
Total out	173	179

[Peter F. Harrington, Esq.]

Interesting information.  Can we know the dates the study's were completed?

Peter

Peter F. Harrington

505 Waltham Street

West Newton, MA  02465

617-558-7722

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[Michael Halle]

The Trader Joe's turn movement counts were collected Wednesday September 25, 2024 and Thursday October 9, 2025.

Times are 7–11 AM and 3–7 PM (I chose the 4pm hour).

Turn data was typically collected only on one day (it's more intensive to count). In addition, there's ATR (automated traffic recorder, speeds and counts) for 7 days on the major routes and fewer days on some of the side streets.

The traffic data is all in the report to Public Facilities. Crash data came from the public MassDOT portal, which NPD is required to report crashes into.


--Mike

> On Apr 2, 2026, at 2:36 PM, 'Peter F. Harrington, Esq.' via West Newton Community <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> Interesting information. Can we know the dates the study's were completed?
>
> Peter
> Peter F. Harrington
> 505 Waltham Street
> West Newton, MA 02465
> 617-558-7722
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 10:45:48 PM EDT, Michael Halle <m...@halle.us> wrote:
>
>
> Here's more information about traffic at Trader Joe's.
>
> The city collected turn data (called Turning Movement Counts, or TMCs) at both Armory and the TJ's driveway for one day, morning and afternoon, in both 2024 and 2025. Using that data, we can see about how many drivers shop at Trader Joe's.
>
> The entry and exit numbers for 2024 and 2025 are almost exactly the same for the two years, not just total but from hour to hour. In the afternoon, the enter and exit counts is essentialyl constant the whole time (perhaps at the capacity of the parking lot).
>
> I chose 4PM for sample data.
>
> While the patterns of turns have changed some from year to year, Overall the numbers are pretty consistent, especially given the limited data. There's no indication anyone is avoiding Trader Joe's because of the pilot.
>
> 4 PM at TJ's:

> 2024 2025IN via Armory:

> Left in (from West Newton Sq) 67 57
> Right in (from Newtonville) 104 117
> Total in 171 174
> OUT via Armory + driveway:
> Left out (to Newtonville) 91 81
> Right out (to West Newton Sq) 82 98
> Total out 173 179
>
>
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[didi_614]

So isn't there also a Nursing home facility on Armory road next to Trader Joes?  So how do we know it was just Trader joes traffic and not related to the Nursing Home too?

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[Michael Halle]

In a perfect world, people would visit residents in nursing homes as frequently as they go to Trader Joe's.

The world is lonelier because they do not.

--Mike

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[didi_614]

Ok - But doesn't the staff possibly drive to work?  And in many cases nursing home residents do get visitors too.

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[Nancy Mazzapica]

Good point   There is a  nursing home adjacent to Trader Joe with a parking lot for staff and visitors 

Nancy 

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[Nancy Mazzapica]

That s an assumption 

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[Michael Halle]

Fair enough, and there's also construction traffic on Armory.

According to Newton Police, every vehicle turning into or out of Armory St and the Trader Joe's driveway since July 1, 2025 did so without a crash, whether they came from or were going to West Newton Healthcare or the construction site or TJ's.

Here's the split in exiting traffic between the TJ's driveway and Armory St:

4 PM exiting traffic:

	Armory St	TJ's Driveway	Ratio
2024	48	125	28% / 72%
2025	64	115	36% / 64%

Something like two-thirds exit via the TJ's driveway in both years, with Armory picking up a somewhat larger share in 2025.

--Mike

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[John Dundon]

The nursing home was there in 2024 and 2025. It doesn't really matter if the traffic comes from TJ or the nursing home, the main fact is that traffic volume is about the same. 

Best Regards,

John Dundon

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[Nancy Mazzapica]

An inaccurate assumption about visits  to NH 

The other factor that will also impact WN TJ is the transfer of the liquor license to Needham but that occurred in November I believe 

I rarely go to WN TJ due to very limited parking and the

precarious entering v and exiting their lot  

[Ann]

The pilot has not altered my use of Washington Street. It continues to be the most direct route between my house and many locations in Newtonville so it is what I use much of the time.

While driving on Washington Street now makes me FEEL much more anxious (due to all the bump-outs, curves, bright reflectors, obstacles, narrow lanes, etc), feeling more anxious does not equate to feeling less safe. Because drivers are all driving slower and in more clearly defined lanes I am not surprised that there has been a reduction in crashes. 

I was hoping that opening the new Trader Joe’s and transferring the liquor license would result in noticeably fewer shoppers at the WN Trader Joes. I don’t know what the statistics are but I have not noticed a big change.

Ann

dorfm...@comcast.net

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