Winchester council extends emergency closure of Boscawen Street, directs staff to craft permanent plan

The Winchester Common Council on Oct. 28 voted to extend the temporary emergency closure of Boscawen Street to vehicular traffic from Indian Alley to the exit of the parking lot behind City Hall and instructed staff to prepare a comprehensive proposal and resolution on the street’s future use.

The action followed a tragic traffic collision on Oct. 18 at Boscawen and Loudoun streets that resulted in the death of a young child and prompted an immediate temporary closure the next day. Councilors, police and city staff framed the vote as a safety decision while asking staff to return with options that address business access and traffic impacts. “One of the things that we go by is the best intersection that you can have is one that does not exist,” said Chief Lewis of the Winchester Police Department, arguing that removing through traffic from a pedestrian mall…