NAHANT — The traffic situation on the way from Market Street up to the rotary, on the way to Nahant and Swampscott, might be a temporary nuisance for commuters.
This, caused by Nahant sewer project due to far-left lane closure, is unlike the last planned junction for the Northern Strand Extension Project that, because when completed, it will permanently convert the far-right lane to bike-use only and will cause increased traffic for Nahant and Swampscott residents, Town Administrator Antonio Barletta explains.
“We are very much in favor of the project to allow cyclists to get to the ocean, but we think that there might be a way to do it without negatively impacting the residents who commute daily,” said Barletta.
He said that the town has participated in the public hearings on the matter and has suggested that the state should look for an alternative to this bike junction.
“The Town of Nahant has participated in the public process and has suggested that the state looks for an alternative because traffic occurs on the northbound side heading to the Lynn rotary, while there is hardly traffic on the southbound side,” said Barletta.
Barletta also noted that the traffic that will be caused by the project will also negatively impact Swampscott and Marblehead. Since the public hearing in Nahant last year, he has been in contact with town administrators in Swampscott as well as in Marblehead.
The Northern Strand Extension Project’s goal is to provide a separated shared-use facility for non-motorized transportation. This project extends from the current terminus at Western Avenue in Lynn and would enable users to reach the Lynn/Nahant Shore via a separated shared-use facility along existing roads, the town of Nahant official website says.
The proposed project seeks to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and accessibility within the last leg of this regional network known as Bike to the Sea.
Earlier Nahant has already raised its concerns over the project’s traffic impact to the town. Last year a public hearing was held at the Nahant Board of Selectmen meeting. At that time, the town was asking for the bike lane to be moved to the southbound side where, Barletta said, there was less traffic congestion.
While Selectman Gene Canty said that the board needs to “push hard” for these changes, Board of Selectmen Chair Joshua Antrim said that he was pleased that the organizers behind the trail project are willing to adapt.
“I was encouraged by their willingness to amend and consider other options,” he said.
Bike to the Sea, a nonprofit organization that advocates for bicycle safety and safe places to ride, was not immediately available for comments.
Oksana Kotkina can be reached at [email protected].
