SAUGUS — Cliftondale Square will be getting some improvements thanks to the Shared Street and Spaces Grant Program.
The program awarded the town $98,000 to improve the sidewalks and traffic in the square, an action that comes on the heels of years’ worth of research identifying infrastructure improvements in the area.
The Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program was created in response to COVID-19 and allows cities and towns in the commonwealth to apply for funding to assist their needs regarding safer outdoor recreation, commerce, community activities and mobility.
Saugus will now look to fund what is called a “road diet” for the rotary in the square. A road diet is described as a best practice in transportation planning that reduces the width of a road to better organize and slow down traffic, which improves mobility and safety for walkers and riders alike.
The town is hoping to add ADA-accessible crosswalks, reconfigured travel lanes, designated bus stops, crosswalk bumpouts and improved parking accessibility.
“Cliftondale Square is a special neighborhood within the town of Saugus, and it has been a long-term goal of this administration to revitalize it,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “With this grant award, the town will be able to make the necessary investment to improve safety within the square, and take initial steps towards attracting more business, visitors, and residents to this beloved area within the community.”
Crabtree added that Saugus is grateful for the support from the Baker-Polito administration.
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley has lived in Cliftondale just about her entire life. As Saugus has grown, she said, safety has become a concern in the area due to speeding and truckers cutting through to avoid Route 1.
“This grant is great news, and will be used as it is intended to help address traffic, safety and economic development in Cliftondale,” said Riley. “Being a member on the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee, this grant will help fund the priorities that the residents have let us know they care the most about, like safety, parking and economic development.”
Riley added that she is grateful to the state for the funding and also to the town departments for making the application for the grant.
