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Somerville engineers say Ball Square signal likely needs controller upgrade; full prioritization and costs still pending
Summary
Mobility and engineering directors told the Traffic and Parking Committee that the signal at Rogers Avenue and Boston Avenue near Ball Square is operating on legacy hardware that limits modern features; reconstruction estimates run tens of thousands of dollars and the city will prioritize upgrades through an asset management process.
Councilors and city staff discussed recurring crashes and limited pedestrian facilities at the intersection of Rogers Avenue and Boston Avenue near the Ball Square T station and asked whether the traffic signal equipment could be upgraded.
Brad Rawson, director of mobility, said older traffic signals often have undersized controllers — “a controller is like a computer motherboard” — that lack the circuits needed to run modern phasing such as leading pedestrian intervals, transit signal priority or split phases. Rawson said the city’s asset management work will identify priority locations and allow staff to develop designs and budgets.
Brian Polstewaite, director of engineering, said the city is conducting a comprehensive inventory of signal equipment and prioritizing upgrades, with an initial focus on meeting ADA requirements. He gave an order‑of‑magnitude construction estimate for signal reconstruction: “signal reconstruction costs can range anywhere from 50 to a hundred thousand dollars,” and stressed that some reconstructions can be substantially more complex and expensive.
Councilors urged staff to consider the intersection’s proximity to the Ball Square T station and the absence of a pedestrian signal at one crosswalk when setting priority. Staff indicated more detailed analysis will require review by the senior traffic engineer and that estimates, designs and a prioritized list would be prepared for future committee meetings. The committee agreed to keep the item in committee for further study and neighborhood outreach, rather than closing it at this meeting.
