'I don't think our letter will move the needle': Milton board opposed to Route 28 roundabout

Fred Hanson, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read

MILTON – Members of the town's select board say they are opposed to a state plan to reduced crashes at Route 28 and Chickatawbut Road by building a roundabout.

At its most recent meeting, the board agreed to submit a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation stating their opposition to the plan. Town Administrator Nicholas Milano will draft the letter, which the board is scheduled to review at a special meeting set for Friday afternoon.

Select board member Erin Bradley supported sending the letter to the state, but warned residents not to expect much since the board does not make the final decision.

"I don't think our letter will move the needle with them," she said.

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MassDOT officials and their consultants presented the plan at a community meeting Oct. 29. They said a traffic circle would slow down traffic on Route 28 and improve safety at one of the state's most dangerous intersections, where half of the accidents are caused by vehicles making left turns.

But residents oppose the plan, doubting it would make the roadway safer. They said it will eliminate gaps in the traffic they need to get out of their driveways and side streets. They favor adding a left turn only lane and adjusting traffic light cycles at the intersection.

Select board member Roxanne Musto said it appears the state is set on the plan and unwilling to entertain alternatives, such as the dedicated left turn lanes.

"That appears to be a very good solution," Musto said.

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Select board member Michael Zullas said those behind the plan should pay closer attention to the concerns of the residents, in particular on the impact it will have elsewhere on the road.

"The DOT is looking solely at this intersection, not what's going on before or after it," he said.

Zullas said there should be an interim improvement to the intersection while the construction is taking place.

Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Milton board opposed to roundabout at Route 28, Chickatawbut Road