Ravine Road to Re-Open as Two-Way Street
Dolan said the street would likely return to normal by Dec. 10.
Relief has come.
Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan announced today that Ravine Road will be re-opened, pending some short construction slated to begin in the first week of December.
If all goes according to plan, he said, residents should have the road back to normal by Monday, Dec. 10.
Last May, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) made the upper section of Ravine Road from Woodland Road to Fellsway East a one-way state-controlled street, for a six-month trial period.
Meant to increase safety at the dangerous intersection of Ravine Road and the Fellsway East, Dolan said the change caused more problems than it mitigated.
The study wasn't a total wash, though: State Rep. Paul Brodeur said that a new median in the road should help ease some concerns about safety.
More information about that plan is anticipated later Wednesday afternoon.
Chad H.
1:37 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Happy to hear this news but still have to wonder why this wasn't done months ago after Mayor Dolan first asked for the trial to be stopped.
Mark Ouellette
7:12 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Hi Chad,
DCR continued with the six-month one-way trial period because there wasn't a consensus between both Melrose and Stoneham. Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan wanted the trial ended, while the Stoneham Board of Selectmen wanted it to go the full six months.
Chad H.
3:33 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Hey Mark,
Yep I remember and questioning why Stoneham was so reluctant to stop the trial. It ended up at the same result and I doubt very much that they (Stoneham or DCR) gathered any additional data by continuing the trial. Seems like they (Stoneham) could have saved folks a few extra months of hassle by just ending it back when requested by Mayor Dolan.
Roy Bauer
1:52 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Thank you Mayor Rob Dolan for once again standing with and fighting for the citizens of Melrose. Thrilled to hear the news although the DCR sure dragged its feet and showed it was difficult to deal with .. easy to tell they aren't elected oficials.
James Orgettas
2:09 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
From a commuters point of view the "experiment" was a failure. It added 15 to 20 minutes to my commute into Melrose; expending gas and frustration. MBTA busses were constantly taking the left turn onto Pond Street from the right lane adding even more to the annoyance and jeopardizing us in general traffic. Long time idling vehicles certainly could not have been environmentally idea either.
Additionally, it did not look like an experiment to many of us as well, because the dividing lines were painted out and Melrose bound signage was removed.
I am glad someone had the common sense to return the traffic pattern to one that is community and commuter safe and environmentally friendly. IMHO
Karen Walson
12:16 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
We are happy this is going back to the way it was. But it still doesn't solve the problem of the car accidents at the intersection of Ravine Rd and Fellsway East! Why don't they just make the other side of Ravine Rd a one way- so no one will be stopped in the middle of Fellsway East trying to turn left. It is so dangerous- the cars just hang out in the middle of a busy street hoping people merging onto Fellsway and the people already on the Fellsway don't hit them. Melrose & Stoneham still need to fix this problem. And the State needs to help slow people down- it's ridiculous that people travel 45- 50 mph on a 25 mph zone. Install some speed bumps or at least that digital sign that says how fast you are going.
Steve
1:18 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thank you Mayor Dolan!