Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett) House co-chair of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation, announced today that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Baker-Polito administration have awarded a $50,000 grant to the town of Rochester to fund traffic safety improvements at three critical locations in town, including the intersection of Mary’s Pond and Walnut Plain Roads, the site of many tragic collisions over the years.
The grant, applied for earlier by the town of Rochester, is being made under the DOT’s Shared Streets and Spaces Program funded by the Legislature. Town officials had sought Rep. Straus’ help in getting approval for the grant application. The state monies will allow Rochester to install LED stop signs at three intersections that have seen a high number of traffic incidents in recent years. LED lighting of the stop signs would be radar activated by the approach of motor vehicles.
“I am hopeful that these installations will heighten driver awareness and force drivers to check their speed and comply with traffic markings,” said Rep. Straus. “State funding for public safety improvements is an important way in which the state can support municipalities, and I want to thank the administration and in particular Lieutenant Governor Polito for her direct involvement in bringing this grant to Rochester.”
Jonathan Gulliver, MassDOT Highway Administrator commented on the Rochester approval. “The Town of Rochester is to be commended for their initiative in pursuing the competitive grant, and Rep. Straus made sure this particular application was brought to our attention with his advocacy,” said Administrator Gulliver.
Specific items to be purchased with the grant funds include:
· Eight Solar-Powered Radar Speed Monitor Signs
· Five LED Stop Signs
· Thirteen Signposts
· One OS-350MX Radar Speed Trailer with Matrix Messaging, Data Logger, License Plate Recognition (LPR) capabilities
Because of the incidence of tragic accidents involved with the particular locations to be addressed, MassDOT will also be providing technical assistance to the Town to determine whether further ‘four-way’ stop signs are called for in addition to today’s announced improvements.