For immediate release: March 14, 2016
(BOSTON) – State Representative Mark J. Cusack (D-Braintree) has announced that he has secured $150,000 within the commonwealth’s FY16 budget to improve public safety for the community. These funds have been released by the state to the town of Braintree for the construction of a pedestrian traffic signal on Route 37.
The crossing signal will be installed on Route 37 near the Highlands Community Playground, the Braintree Community Arts Center, and the soon to be open CATs Academy.
Currently, there is not a traffic signal accessible in either direction of this location for pedestrians to cross this busy street. A majority of the residents who use these community assets reside in the neighborhood on the opposite side of Route 37 and are forced to cross the street at their own peril. In the past, there have several near misses along this stretch of Route 37 causing it to be a major public safety issue for the town. In June 2004, 22 year-old Megan Flaherty-Stanford was struck and killed by a motor vehicle while attempting to cross Route 37 at Highlands Plaza. A traffic signal was installed shortly afterwards.
“As we have added the Highlands Playground and the Community Arts Center at this property over the past several years, and with CATs Academy bringing 400 students to this site in the near future, pedestrian safety is a major issue especially along Route 37. This traffic signal will allow our residents to safely cross this heavily traveled road,” said Representative Cusack. “I am hopeful that this improvement will prevent the tragedies we have seen along this busy state road. I want to thank Governor Baker for releasing these funds from the FY16 budget along with the Mass DOT and the town of Braintree for making this improvement in public safety a soon-to-be reality.”
The installation of the new pedestrian traffic signal by the town of Braintree will take place within the upcoming months.
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