Changes sought for dangerous intersection in Wilbraham

Date: 10/24/2013

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

WILBRAHAM – Changes may be coming to the traffic pattern at an intersection at Stony Hill and Old Boston roads and Bridge Street.

Town Administrator Robert Weitz said the Department of Public Work’s engineering department is in the process of developing recommendations as to what can be done to make the unorthodox intersection safer.

A recommendation is expected sometime next month, he said.

“That intersection was identified by the Traffic Safety Team as a dangerous intersection, mostly because it’s very unusual to have a three-way stop with traffic in another direction not stopping,” he said.

Motorists approaching the intersection from the north on Bridge Street, from the east on Old Boston Road and from the south on Stony Hill Road under the train bridge have stop signs. However, traffic approaching from the west on Stony Hill Road is not required to stop at the intersection.

Police Chief Roger Tucker was out of the office and could not be reached with an inquiry regarding motor vehicle accidents at the intersection.

Weitz also said there was discussion regarding the possibility of diverting large trucks away from the area.

“We see a lot of trucks getting stuck underneath that [train] bridge,” he said. “I don’t know why, but it seems to be happening more and more frequently.”

The official height of the bridge according to posted clearance signs is 10 feet, six inches. The maximum height for commercial vehicles, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, unless otherwise specified, is 13 feet, six inches.

Wilbraham Police Sgt. Edward Lennon posted an announcement on the department’s website on Sept. 18, warning trucks to avoid the bridge.

“Drivers are reminded to be aware of the their vehicle’s height and width and to be mindful of all bridge clearance warning signs,” he said. “Bridge strikes by large trucks and buses are a serious safety hazard resulting in injury and loss of life, damage to infrastructure, interruption of commerce, and delays in travel times.”