Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Jim Montgomery yesterday joined Mayor Gary Christenson along with state and local officials to celebrate the completion of roadway safety improvements in the City of Malden. The $1.6 million improvement project includes enhancements at the intersection of Fellsway East and Highland Avenue in the City of Malden.
“The Baker-Polito Administration continues to prioritize the safety of the many motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and other users that use and enjoy DCR parkways throughout the state parks system,” said DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery. “The Fellsway East/Highland Avenue improvement project serves as a great example of DCR working in close partnership with state and local officials to enhance the region for all stakeholders.”
The project improves the safety for various user groups including pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles within the intersection by reducing the roadway widths to decrease vehicle speeds and the installation of six pedestrian crosswalks controlled by “WALK” signals. Additionally, the intersection now features curb extensions to reduce the lengths of crosswalks, and new bike lanes along Fellsway East (northbound).
“For years, neighborhood advocates, city leaders and state officials have been united in their calls to fix the treacherous Fellsway-Highland intersection, and after careful planning, diligent follow-up and hard work from all stakeholders, this long-overdue safety and traffic improvement is complete,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m grateful to Mayor Christenson, the Malden City Council and Department of Public Works, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and my colleagues in Malden’s legislative delegation for their collaboration and partnership as we all worked together over the last five years to fix Fellsway-Highland and make it safe for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and all users.”
“Street safety for all modalities has always been a priority in my career on the Melrose City Council and now as State Representative,” said Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “This state-local partnership results in critical improvements at a highly trafficked intersection, and I am grateful for all the work and effort that made this project successful.”
“It was very exciting to see the completion of this project which I and several elected officials and community groups have supported for several years,” said Representative Paul Donato. “As a resident of the area, it is gratifying to see the upgrading of the intersection for the benefit of automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians.”
“I could not be more pleased with the tremendous result of this improvement,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “This was a true collaboration of residents, the city and the state delegation who worked together to achieve a much safer alternative to what had been a problem intersection for so many years. I’m grateful to everyone involved with this project.”
Article submitted by DCR
Pictured (from left): Ward 3 City Councillor Amanda Linehan, State Representatives Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Paul Donato, Mayor Gary Christenson, DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery and Senator Jason Lewis