Melrose DPW Launches Howard Street Speed Reduction Pilot

In the coming weeks, the Melrose Department of Public Works will be working to install a temporary speed table on Howard Street between Hesseltine Avenue and Nelson Road/Ruggles Street—an area that has been the site of chronic vehicular crashes in which automobiles have driven off the road and, in many instances, have struck the granite curb, signage, trees, boulders, and private property.

In response to the chronic crashes, the City has taken numerous measures to mitigate crashes in this location such as the addition of improved signage, roadway paint, reflectors, curb extensions, and trees. While these measures have decreased the frequency of crashes, this location continues to experience crashes that put drivers, pedestrians, and the community at risk.

The temporary speed table pilot project will be completed between now and early winter. Working together with the residents of Howard Street, the City will then evaluate the efficacy and viability of a long-term installation of a speed table in this neighborhood. The City will solicit input from the Howard Street neighborhood through a survey.

Speed tables are midblock traffic calming devices that raise the entire wheelbase of a vehicle to reduce its traffic speed. Speed tables are longer than speed humps and flat-topped, with a height of 3–3.5 inches and a length of 22 feet. To learn more about speed tables, visit https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/street-design-elements/vertical-speed-control-elements/speed-table/

Questions regarding the pilot program can be directed to the Department of Public Works, reachable at telephone number 781-665-0142.

For more information regarding this speed reduction initiative as well as other City Engineering initiatives, visit https://www.cityofmelrose.org/engineering/pages/engineering-initiatives