Letter to Editor: Rep. Stanley Fighting Traffic Congestion

Dear Editor:

Without a doubt, one of the major issues facing the City of Waltham today is traffic.   As a long-time resident of Waltham, dealing with the traffic on a daily-basis has always been a part of living in the City.  However, the explosion of residential and business development over the last few years has increased the amount of congestion on Waltham’s roads.

We need long-term, innovative solutions to ease traffic congestion and make it easier for residents and businesses to get around the City.  We also need elected officials who realize that there is no “silver-bullet” to eliminate traffic in Waltham and are constantly engaging business and officials at all levels of government to explore possible solutions.  That’s why it’s been refreshing to see the many actionable steps State Representative Tom Stanley has taken to improve traffic conditions in Waltham.

Tom Stanley recently voiced his support for the Phase II proposal at 1265 Main Street to the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency.  Developers are seeking state approval for the reconstruction of the Rt. 117 as well as other modifications around the Route 20/I-95 interchange. Without these changes, Waltham residents will continue to experience congestion and gridlock along Route 20 and I-95/Rte. 128.  Tom Stanley also advocated to the Waltham Traffic Commission for the Connector Road approval which will allow residents to get to 1265 Main Street from Totten Pond Road, reducing trips on congested local roadways.

In the legislature, Tom Stanley continues to show results.  He worked to secure $156,000 for identified traffic signal upgrades along some of the most congested roads in Waltham in the Fiscal Year 17 budget.  All of the traffic signals in the system will be synchronized and able to make adjustments in real-time during peak hours once upgraded.  Tom Stanley also fought to get his Parking Management Plan amendment into a recently passed Economic Development bill.  Under the program, Waltham would be eligible to receive up to a $100,000 grant to explore alternative parking management strategies which are quickly becoming a municipal management best practice to solve parking shortages and save taxpayers and businesses money.

It’s clear to me that no one is more qualified to represent Waltham’s residents and commuters at the state level when it comes to addressing traffic.  I urge you to please support him on November 8th for reelection as State Representative for the 9th Middlesex District.

Cindy Neshe

11 Elmwood Ave

Waltham, MA