Description
Every morning and evening the traffic backs up for a mile on each way when the light turns Red for Memorial Drive and Green is given to the JFK Street.
The JFK Street has much less traffic and often is empty with Green light where as traffic on Memorial drive is backed up due to Red Light.
Please, increase the time for the Green Light for Memorial Drive where most of the backup happens.
4 Comments
Traffic – JP (Street Mgmt) (Verified Official)
The Anderson Bridge is now under construction and will be for the next 31 months. There are just 2 lanes now, one in each direction.
Accordingly, MassDOT has changed the operation of the traffic signal at this intersection. MassDOT still needs to make adjustments based on how drivers react to the change.
It is not as simple as giving more time to Memorial Drive. There is a very long line of traffic that extends over the bridge to the south and into Harvard Square to the north.
Jeffrey R. Parenti, P.E.
Principal Traffic Engineer
City of Cambridge
WDM2A (Guest)
Resepected Mr. Parenti,
Thank you for responding to my request.
I agree with you that its not simply giving just more time to the Memorial Drive, however what I imply is that, during morning rush, definitely there is been more rush on the Memorial Drive than JFK Street.
Hence my request would be to make an adjustment for the Memorial Drive Green Signal around 30 - 45 seconds more Green Light only during the rush hour.
One more request would be, to make changes for the NO Left Turn between 6 AM - 10 AM (currently its upto 9 AM) as most of the congestion on the Memorial Drive is a caused by Left Turn Traffic on the intersection.
Once again, thank you for your kind attention and really appreciate your time.
Traffic – JP (Street Mgmt) (Verified Official)
Twice last week I stood at the intersection and watched each of the 4 approaches for over an hour. I don't agree that there is more rush on Memorial Drive than on JFK Street. JFK Street has been reduced to one lane southbound while Memorial Drive has retained 2. As I wrote in my initial response the queue is unacceptably long on the bridge and JFK Street.
The signal is running on a 90-second cycle (the sum of both Memorial Drive and JFK Street time) now, with the time being roughly evenly distributed, so there is not 30 seconds to spare.
Finally, all left turns are prohibited at this location at all hours. Many people are still making left illegally. It will take them some time to understand the change. MassDOT will be installing more signs to add to the many they already have there.
As I mentioned, MassDOT still has many adjustments to make this week. If you have an alternate route, I highly recommend using it for the next several days at least.
Jeffrey R. Parenti, P.E.
Principal Traffic Engineer
City of Cambridge
WDM2A (Guest)
Respected Mr. Parenti,
Thank you for the response, again.
Wow, I didnt know that MassDOT has made few changes, infact the last I traveled on Memorial Drive at rush hour was in May, hence these changes I have been unaware.
Its real good sign that Left Turns have been banned.
I shall be taking the Memorial Drive in sometime near during rush hour and I will duely and gladly post the feedback to you.
Thank you for your service to the common wealth, sir.