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Stop signs approved for Appleton at Wallaston after safety review
Summary
After Transportation Advisory Committee analysis and crash history review, the Select Board approved stop signs with associated markings and notification at the Appleton/Wallaston intersection to reduce T‑bone crash risk; implementation will include stop‑ahead warnings and post‑installation messaging.
The Select Board unanimously approved Transportation Advisory Committee recommendations on June 22 to add stop signs on Appleton at Wallaston to address recurring sightline problems and a history of near‑collisions.
The TAC working group and town engineering reviewed crash data and on‑the‑ground sightline constraints. TAC Chair Jim Stahli summarized the problem: westbound drivers on Appleton cannot reliably see vehicles turning from Wallaston and motorists on Wallaston cannot see through the high hedge and stone wall that front private property near the intersection. After ruling out other technical options as infeasible (convex mirrors, speed bumps, one‑way changes without broader circulation impacts), TAC recommended stop signs in both directions on Appleton with stop lines, stop‑ahead signage and pavement marking, all‑way plates on the signs, and temporary message boards to alert drivers to the new pattern.
Board members supported the action as a practical, low‑cost step to reduce T‑bone collisions; staff noted rear‑end collisions are a secondary risk and the town will use targeted speed trailers and consider LED‑enhanced stop signs to improve nighttime visibility. The motion passed unanimously.
