Rt 12 Phase 1

The 25% hearing for Phase 1 of the project took place on 28 Feb 2002 in the Fitchburg Public Library. If you've ever been to one of these you know that politicians get to speak first. The higher up the food chain the earlier you get to speak. Knuttila was first to speak and then he left. Kinda left me with the impression that he didn't think anyone else opinion was worth listening to - but that's a different issue.

Phase 1 was to cover from MCM in Leominster to 300 ft. north of Benson St. in Fitchburg (thats about the end of the Mobil Station). This stretch was to be widened by 9 ft. and the traffic was merge back into a single lane at each end. Carey St. and Old Leominster Rd. in Fitchburg would curve around and intersect with Water St at 90 degrees with an island. This intersection would have only a stop sign. The buildings on the North East corners of Benson/Water and Battles/Water were untouched but the stop lines were set back appoximately 25 ft from the corners of the buildings. The set back according to Mass Hwy was to provide a ramp area for wheelchair access to the sidewalk. In response to my written comments on the plan I addressed several issue with the design including:

• the limited sightlines on Benson and Battles would not give drivers on the side streets enough time to react to a driver running a red light on Rt 12
• the 2 ft of planned run off does not provide enough area for snow in the winter, there is also no place for trucks making deliveries (like an oil truck)
• limited sight line at Holman Ave. (street next to Little Peach) in Leominster will make it hazardous for left turning traffic off of Holman Ave.

Mass Hwys replys (paraphrased here)

• It's up to the State, and Fitchburg police to "prevent" drivers from running red lights.
• Fitchburg will have to work out the snow removal issue (still waiting for that one)
• We may have to prohibit left turns at that location

The Twin City Rail Trail project was announced by Dean Mazzarella about 2 weeks after the hearing.