Lights coming on Union Ave.
April 13th, 2009
I noticed recently that there are new traffic lights getting put in on Union Ave. where it intersects with Franklin St. Normally I’m not for putting in more traffic lights (it seems to take so long to get anywhere because of them) but I think this intersection needs it because of the drivers coming out of Franklin taking a left onto Union. It’s just always a mess and then drivers end up pulling out into the middle of the road to see if they can take a left but hold up traffic because once they get out in the middle of the road they see they can’t or they don’t care and just do it because traffic coming is so strong no one will stop for them and they don’t want to wait until the road is clear.
It’s weird, I’ve never found myself at that intersection trying to take a left but enough people do that I think this light will help things out. Plus it doesn’t look bad with the black paint and gold “topper” at the top of the pole.
I always wondered why so many people find themselves trying to take a left out of that street. Don’t they realize that they can turn off one block earlier and make use of the maple street rotary type intersection instead? Are they trying to sneak one block ahead of traffic? I just don’t understand…
Comment by Nick — April 13, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
I used to take that left because I normally go back the way I came. If I took Union to Franklin, I’d take Franklin all the way back to Union. (I’ve only lived here 18 months, though). My new GPS told me the right way to go, and now I avoid that nightmare.
Comment by Susan W. — April 13, 2009 @ 6:52 pm
I’m one of the lucky ones, it has never affected me, and I have been going there to the orthodontist who was there for years. Lights will be nice though.
Carol
Comment by Carol — April 13, 2009 @ 9:22 pm
I think the light will help quite a bit (or it could really screw things up worse!) Taking the left a block early is ok but can still be a pain.
There’s also a new light going in at the corner of Potter and Elm. That intersection is usually pretty empty, but during rush hour it’s a bear.
Comment by Bill Greenberg - Good Computer Guy — April 14, 2009 @ 8:44 am
These new lights upset me a bit. The Maple -Franklin intersection worked fine (in my opinion) before the most recent improvement. The former set up of the fork for North and South on Franklin (coming from Maple) never seemed to create any problems.
Comment by MrsBart — April 14, 2009 @ 10:10 am
It’s nice to see that the Town still cares about the aesthetic improvements it makes, if even small. In this case, a decorative light pole and arm is one of those little improvements that means a lot in a place that, not too many decades ago, really put curb appeal at the bottom of the punch list.
I believe you have our planning board to thank for this.
Matt
Comment by Matt — April 14, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
I noticed today that those new lights have surveillance cameras built into them and pointing down towards folk’s license plates. Interesting. I haven’t seen any like that around Framingham until now.
Comment by CherG — April 16, 2009 @ 8:57 pm
CherG,
These cameras are more likely part of an automated light control system. They get tripped by cars arriving at the lights, etc.
Comment by Matt — April 16, 2009 @ 9:48 pm
I used to live on Franklin further down by the “sad plaza”. Thank Goodness they put that traffic light in I’ve been saying for years they need to! it was such a pain taking a left off of that rd! Yay Framingham!
Comment by Jayme — April 17, 2009 @ 1:16 pm
Hi Matt - I’m pretty sure those are video cameras. The automated lights are controlled by vehicles stopping on a line (they are usually under ground). Go take a look again… I’m 90% sure those are video cameras. It would be great if the police had the ability to see traffic at several major “troublesome” intersections, although I’m not sure those can/will be used that way (assuming they are video cameras).
Comment by CherG — April 17, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
Don’t you mean the Franklin /Main St intersection ? Union Ave ends at the rotary .
Comment by Ed Weiss — April 21, 2009 @ 2:33 pm