SAUGUS — Residents can learn about the results of the town’s speed-limit study Monday night.
The Engineering Corp., an Andover-based transportation, engineering and surveying firm, will present suggested speed limits and locations for speed limit signs. Residents can hear the plans and provide feedback.
“With this comprehensive town-wide speed-limit analysis and corresponding traffic-safety-improvement plan, we aim to increase protection and peace of mind for walkers and drivers within our community though a consistent, uniform approach,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree in a statement.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
The Board of Selectmen, the traffic commissioners of the town, tried to lower the speed limit on Lincoln Avenue, Essex Street, Main Street and Central Street during a series of meetings earlier this year. This came after they heard pleas from residents to do something about the number of pedestrian and vehicular accidents throughout town.
Last summer, Robert Hoffman stood before the board using a cane to demand measures be taken to create safer streets. Hoffman and his wife, Judy, were struck along the Northern Strand Community Trail last January. Both suffered serious injuries and were taken to area hospitals for treatment.
Other pedestrians who had been struck and neighbors advocating for safer streets followed the Hoffmans to speak out about traffic-safety dangers. More than 160 residents signed a petition urging the board to lower the speed limit.
The panel voted to lower the speed limit to 25 miles per hour on the roads, but the change needed to be approved by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
In a letter to selectmen, district highway director Paul Stedman wrote that “revising the existing speed zones as requested on Lincoln Avenue, Main Street, and Essex Street would not conform to the current speed regulations.”
For MassDOT to consider modifying these regulations, the town would have to submit proper documentation and data for roadways under their jurisdiction.
The study would fulfill that requirement, Crabtree said in May.
Selectmen also voted unanimously in December to lower the speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour on Bisbee Road, Hanson Road, Iron Works Way, Cider Mill Road, Vinegar Hill Drive and Hitching Hill Road.
The state approved this request.
Last year, Saugus partnered with WalkBoston, a non-profit membership organization dedicated to improving walking conditions in cities and towns across the state, to assess the community’s roadways and crossings. Residents’ concerns were shared with the organization, which recently completed a report of their findings with recommended improvements for the town.
“The safety of our residents and visitors within our town has always been and will continue to be a top priority to this administration,” said Crabtree.
