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Residents urge car-free connection and crosswalk upgrades after Route 62 crash
Summary
Public commenters and Mothers Out Front told the Concord Transportation Advisory Committee a recent fatal crash on Route 62 highlights urgent gaps in crosswalks and called for a dedicated, safe route between Concord Center and the Minuteman Bikeway, plus near-term crosswalk improvements funded through Safe Routes to School grants.
Residents urged swift action on pedestrian and bicycle safety after the TAC heard a letter from Mothers Out Front asking the committee to prioritize a car-free route between Concord Center and the Minuteman Bikeway.
Kristen Tollfree, reading for Mothers Out Front, said a recent fatal collision on Route 62 at the Reformatory Branch Trail crossing demonstrated the “urgent need for a safe corridor connecting Concord Center with the Minuteman Bikeway.” The letter called for measures including road diets, flashing crosswalk lights, and, where feasible, grade-separated crossings.
Kristen also offered the group’s assistance and said Mothers Out Front has gathered 62 signatures on the letter and will promote a week without driving in October that will include an AARP bike corridor audit. Linda Nieman shared a local near-miss involving her son on Lowell Road to illustrate frequent, often-unreported incidents where drivers fail to slow for crosswalks.
Tanya Geva recommended red-and-green signalized crosswalks, citing an Arlington example on Lake Street where such lights improved safety. Nick pointed out that a grade-separated crossing had previously been proposed at the crash site in Bedford but rejected by Bedford voters; members asked staff to contact Bedford to learn whether plans have changed.
Town planner Elizabeth Hughes is preparing a Safe Routes to School grant application to install and improve crosswalks and signage, Phil said; that grant could fund a pilot set of improvements soon. The committee agreed to place crosswalk prioritization on the next TAC agenda so the public can help identify the first locations to target ahead of the 2025 visitor season.
Next steps recorded at the meeting: the TAC will add crosswalk prioritization to its next meeting agenda; staff will report on the Safe Routes to School grant status at a future meeting; and the TAC will consider coordination with Bedford on larger projects such as a grade-separated crossing.
