The Year of Traffic Calming

At last week's Traffic Council meeting, city traffic engineer Clint Shuckel said, "This is the year of traffic calming demonstrations" in Newton (or words to that effect).

He was speaking of the projects that are scheduled for construction before the end of the year:

• Speed tables on Woodland Avenue
• Raised crosswalk near Brimmer and May and the Chestnut Hill T station
• Geometry changes on Hagar Street and at the Jackson Street/Daniel Street intersection

These are very encouraging developments that show the city is headed in the right direction. I, for one, can't wait to celebrate the completion of each one.

Not to be wet blanket, but we also need to keep in mind that these types of traffic calming tools have been in wide use in communities like ours for years.

It's a good start, but we have some catching up to do.