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Traffic commission rejects crosswalk on California Avenue near New York Avenue, citing lack of sidewalk and low pedestrian counts
Summary
DPW recommended against installing a crosswalk on California Avenue where the east side lacks sidewalks and pedestrian counts were low; the commission voted to accept the recommendation.
The Framingham Traffic Commission voted on April 22 to accept a Department of Public Works recommendation not to install a crosswalk across California Avenue at New York Avenue in the industrial park west of Route 9.
DPW staff said pedestrian counts collected over four days showed very low crossings — with daily totals of 6, 4, 20, 2 and a zero reading on one day — and noted there is no sidewalk on the east side of California Avenue to receive a crosswalk landing. "We would not put even a landing pad on the other side... there's nowhere for it to go," a DPW representative said, adding that installing a crosswalk that directs pedestrians into a roadway without a sidewalk would be unsafe.
The petitioner cited employees crossing between office clusters on both sides of California Avenue; DPW replied that if employers or property owners install a sidewalk or otherwise create a safe landing zone on private property, the commission could reconsider. Commissioners moved, seconded and voted to accept DPW's analysis and recommendation.
The vote records the commission’s concurrence with DPW that the current street geometry and low pedestrian activity do not justify a crosswalk installation at that location.
