Weston Committee Advances Highland-Route 20 Intersection Study, Sets December Meeting

WESTON -- November 29, 2023, Weston's Traffic and Sidewalk Committee received confirmation that Love Lane turn restrictions have shifted roughly 1,000 daily vehicles onto Highland Street, sharpening the case for a long-planned signalized intersection at Highland and Route 20. VHB consultants Laura and Tim briefed the committee November 29 on the federally required Intersection Control Evaluation process that must precede MassDOT design review, with Chair Jay Doyle noting the town must first decide whether to pursue the project as a state Transportation Improvement Program project or a locally funded permit project, a choice that could affect scheduling by months. On Route 30, resident Tack Chase told the committee he had voted for the project at Town Meeting expecting "a simple sidewalk" and questioned whether its expansion into a shared-use-path corridor warranted a return vote, while resident Barbara pressed for segmented in-person site walks so abutters could visualize impacts before construction begins. The committee also reported that the Ash Street trail walkway warrant article passed the November 28 Special Town Meeting with approximately 150 votes in favor and five against, the highest approval percentage on the warrant.