Merchant voices concern over new Boston Street signal

LYNN – It has yet to complete its first green-yellow-red cycle, but the new traffic signal at Boston Street and Ford Street is already triggering viewpoints on how it will improve or slow down Boston Street traffic flow.Located on one of the city?s main commercial roadways, the signal will be activated in October shortly before the opening of the new CVS store under construction at Boston and Ford.Store developer Tropic Star spent nearly $300,000 purchasing and installing the signal and synchronizing timing for light changes on four other signals around the Boston Street Stop and Shop.Tropic Star principal Scott Mitchell earlier this year said the new signal will make busy Boston Street safer. Mahan?s Trustworthy Hardware owner Chris Mahan said his business could be helped or hurt by the signal.?In theory, if traffic flows smoothly, it shouldn?t make a difference, but if it is constant gridlock, it will make it difficult,” he said.Mahan has a steady group of regular customers who come to his store but he also relies on drivers who spot Mahan?s while driving down Boston Street and realize they need to buy something.Mahan is worried the new signal will prompt more drivers to use North Bend Street if they see traffic backed up at the Ford-Boston signal. The short side street parallels Boston Street and Pine Grove Cemetery and is now mostly used by truck drivers making deliveries to Mahan?s and other businesses.?In a matter of days, it will become a cheat,” Mahan said.But Performance Auto Brokers manager Sajjad Asghar said drivers stopped at the new signal will look to their left and contemplate buying a new car from Performance. He even thinks the CVS will bring pedestrian traffic into the car sales dealership.?I think it?s good for us. People will stop, look around and see us,” he said.Asghar said representatives for CVS builder D.F. Pray General Contractors do a good job keeping him informed about the project?s progress.Lynn resident Despena Raftelis said the Ford Street signal is long overdue.?Right now, you cannot get out onto Boston Street. It?s an accident waiting to happen. You need a light there,” she said.Ward 1 City Councilor Wayne Lozzi agreed and said driver and pedestrian safety on Boston Street will improve once the signal is operating. He said plans for a Boston-Ford signal were on the drawing board even before he was elected 11 years ago.?The problem was also financial – CVS solved that,” he said.Raftelis said city officials need to look at traffic signals across Lynn and improve or synchronize them to improve safety on other streets.The 12,900 square foot CVS is designed with a drive-thru lane and 70 parking spaces and Mahan said he will be happy when construction is completed and work noise and occasional vibrations end.?No one?s upset CVS is there but we are tolerating a lot,” he said.