My middle schooler crosses here, too, and we have had several near misses with speeding and/or distracted drivers. Crossing guards for middle schoolers would be a very welcome and much needed (temporary?) measure, until more permanent traffic calming measures have been put in place. Thank you for making this your first priority!

It's taking my life into my own hands when I cross the street every morning. This morning I was walking across and the first car stopped then I saw three more cars coming in the other direction so I stood in the middle of the useless crosswalk. This is crazy this has been brought to he city and all they did was put stupid speedometers. Please put stop lights before somebody gets killed

I use this crosswalk too with my preschooler. I struggle every single time - it's extremely dangerous and it seems ludicrous that we're having this issue in a school zone, when people should be going 20 mph automatically. Were flashing yellow lights there years before? Speed cameras might get drivers to obey the speed limit, and so would the presence of a police car catching people speeding and not yielding to pedestrians. I have never seen police at this location to catch people speeding. I would gladly meet with concerned residents and Capt Clemente to discuss this (and other crosswalks like the Winthrop Circle where high schoolers use a lot as they walk home after school).

I've complained about multiple faded crosswalks and lack of crosswalks; when is the city going to do something about it? People do not respect the crosswalks even when they're visible at times, what can be done about this? Enforcement? More signage?

This (and other crossings along High) need to be a raised/pinched crosswalk with buttons that activate a flashing light. Besides the fact that High Street is treated like a highway, a huge issue is that, given the width of the road, if/when one car slows down to finally let you cross you have to make sure the cars tailing that one don't zoom around the slowing/stopped car - and then you rinse and repeat for the other side. It's a two-lane road but given the speed and width, as a pedestrian it's like trying to cross a four lane highway. This is so dangerous and we cannot wait to fix it; someone is going to be seriously injured if not killed trying to cross High Street.

I've been using this crosswalk for years and agree something needs to be done. Cars speed through that intersection constantly. I have almost been run down countless times. A walk signal/traffic light would make the most sense, to me.

seriously. i'm stunned this hasn't been addressed. i've almost been hit serveral times. either by cars speeding down the road, or cars trying to go around other cars which are actually stopped for the crosswalk. this must be fixed before something bad happens...

I agree-- it's treacherous. Cars go around other cars who stop for pedestrians, and the speed is ridiculous. What can we do??

The whole stretch of road on High Street from Mystic River (the border of Arlington and Medford) to Winthrop Circle is an accident waiting to happen. I raised Issue #2556939 which expressed among other things my concern as well about school kids/ pedestrians crossing High Street at the junction of Boston Avenue and Sagamore Avenue(to get on school buses and public buses) as well as highly congested neighborhood shopping area of parked cars and pedestrians/ patrons of the convenience store, liquor store and drycleaner right on High Street at Sagamore Avenue. My issue #2556939 has been acknowledged and closed and referred to the city of Medford Traffic Commission---http://www.medfordma.org/boards/traffic-commission/. I was advised by the representative from the Medford Police Department that "High Street Route 60 is a truck route designated by the Department of Transportation. Banning trucking from this roadway is not an option and will never be considered by the State. Speed bumps, signs or raised crosswalks should be addressed to the Medford Traffic commission." I intend to pursue this and hope you will, too. These areas along Route 60 are in serious need of traffic calming and needs to be addressed.

In the long run, this is a cement-and-asphalt project. But it'd sure be great to have something in place by the end of the summer for back-to-school.

In the short run, how about plastic poles surrounding white-painted pavement to create a visual pinch in the road ( "side friction" to slow traffic and a natural refuge for people to begin their crossing).

In a similar way, painting a side line on both sides would make the road look more like its supposed to function (just 1 through lane each way) and discourage "go arounds"

I know that this is not a direct help, but another thing to look for is trees that need trimming up to 8' off the sidewalk and 18' off the street in order to improve visibility--so that people walking are easier to see against a less visually-cluttered background. Trimming up the low branches was a huge help at the (still perilous) High St ped xwalk from Monument to Pitcher. The Tree Warden and her Forestry Dept are very responsive.

http://www.citylab.com/design/2016/01/polka-dots-help-pedestrian-reclaim-space-in-austin/433749/

I agree with all comments about the risks of crossing High street. I live near the Allston street cross walk and have felt very angry and afraid for people attempting to cross, while cars wiz by, myself included. I like the suggestion of more visual cues and pinching the road to force cars to slow down, The trucks in my experience are not the problem. Another point that seems obvious is to have a police detail , and hand out some tickets!! . I think driver behavior might change if people knew that Medford was serious about pedestrian safety and the laws. And there's some revenue for Medford, although the point is to enforce the law and protect the safety of kids and adults.

Will forward this to the Traffic Division for enforcement. Will also forward to the Sign Foreman regarding obstructed signs. Thank-you.

Captain Clemente - Medford Police Department assigned this issue to Sign Dept Foreman

Captain Clemente - Medford Police Department assigned this issue to Sgt. Richard Carroll

Captain Clemente - Medford Police Department assigned this issue to Officer Brooks

Captain Clemente - Medford Police Department assigned this issue to Alva - Traffic Commission

Today after reading some of your concerns the traffic and cycle units began to do some enforcement of the crosswalks and speeding on High Street between Winthrop Street and WestMedford Square. We wrote several tickets and made one arrest. Over the next few weeks you will see Police units in different areas along that route. But, please keep in mind we have the to conduct enforcement along with our other duties. Such as car crashes and parking issues. We will make a strong effort to impact that area as best as we can. As for the traffic dampening issues; those are for the Traffic Commision to address. Thanks

Thank you, Officer Brooks & MPD!

Yes, thank you! It doesn't get rid of the need for a design fix, but hopefully will raise some awareness.

Yes, thank you very much!

Thanks MPD!

This is from a mother this morning - this is still happening.

Enough is Enough! This morning while my son was trying to cross High St to catch the #7 bus at the Brooks school, a car stopped to let him cross and then another car proceeded to go around continuing on High St almost hitting my son. This is an extremely busy street!! This is Route 60 with many people using it to commute work. This issue has been going on for years! It's an accident waiting to happen. When is the city going to finally step up and do something! Probably when it's too late! A crossing light was recently put in at he McGlynn skating rink. We need something similar to alert traffic someone is crossing. Medford, MA, USA Please Share this post and let's get some action happening!!!

What are some specific, actionable steps that can be taken to calm traffic in this area? How about a speed bump? A raised crossing? How do we make that happen???

There are so many similar posts for all the various intersections along High Street that I'm starting to realize these requests are futile. Echoing Hilary B above, what can we do beyond this message board to make a change? How do we go about making a formal request with the city? How do we formalize a campaign around what should be a very simple and basic request of being able to cross the street safely? So many people are reading and commenting on this thread that I think this is as good a place to start something as any.
Stephanie M.

Stephanie and Hilary - Liz White was working with the city to get this area addressed, I don't know what came of it. She had Mayor McGlynn out to see the issue, I know we did get the digital speed signs and they painted the cross walk. I've emailed Liz to see if anything has happened.

Progress is being made. As part of the City's new Complete Streets policy, there will be six projects funded by MassDOT. At the top of the list is pedestrian improvements to the High Street crossing at the Brooks School. The projects were discussed in this announcement of Mayor Burke's Business and Economic Development Transition team:
http://www.medfordma.org/mayor/transition-team/business-and-economic-development/

Discussion of Complete Streets begins at about 15:17 into the video linked on the web page, including the announcement that the City will receive $400,000 from MassDOT for six projects, five of which focus on pedestrians: 1) Crossing at the Brooks School; 2) West Medford Square Pedestrian Improvements; 3) Pedestrian improvements at Tufts Pool and Park; 4) Pedestrian Improvements at Salem, Ashland, River Streets in Medford Square; 5) Pedestrian and Bicycle improvements at Winthrop Circle, including bringing the circle up to standard of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Also, 6) Bike Lanes on Boston Ave.

The City is in the process of getting a consultant hired to do the design work for these projects.

Thank you Jeff B, This is wonderful news!!

We have the same problem for middle-schoolers trying to cross High St at Woburn intersection. It is extremely stressful for kids and adults alike. It is ridiculous that there is not a single traffic light or pedestrian light along the stretch of High St from Medford Square until St. Raes.

I understand that High St is part of some state-level traffic jurisdiction but Medford has to be able to have some say and input about ensuring the safety of its residents.

Thanks for the update and your (and Walk Medfords) continued efforts, Jeff! Several people and organizations have been working hard to make life for pedestrians and cyclists safer in Medford –especially High Street– over the past couple of years, and progress has been painfully slow. There have been so many near-accidents like the one described above! We have been lucky that no one has gotten killed-yet.
Hopefully these improvements are only the beginning...

Thanks Jeff B!!! Great to hear.

I'll try to come in early and look at this issue. From what I can tell its happening between 7 and 7:30. Is that correct? After that a crossing guard is in place.

Yes the kids arrive for the bus between 7:10 and 7:20 when the bus picks them up. Thank you. Crossing guard is in place at 8:15 for the elementary school.

Thanks for fixing this issue!

"I just witnessed a kindergartener on the way to an ice cream social at the school get sideswiped by a car that disregarded the cross walk. Thank God his father has such good reflexes and the child is ok.
This is truly a safety issue and must be dealt with.
Please contact the city council and demand action before something worse happens."

It's like a situation that could be best described by a one word change in a Cold War motto, "The price of SAFETY (liberty) is eternal vigilance."

Still a ongoing issue that was reported 3 months ago and we still can't get a rather very lest fresh painted bright crosswalk and a few barrel and yellow signs for drivers to stop for walkers? Can't cost that much for the city to supply. Should just be done right now. Grab a brush and paint, place barrels and signs. Done deal.

Crossing High Street safely remains a problem for the length of the street from the Rt. 38 traffic circle down into West Medford Square, and not just from 7:10a.m. to 7:20a.m. The problem near the school definitely should be addressed as a high priority, but the problem also should be addressed at all the other intersections along this stretch. I complained about the Wolcott Street-High Street intersection months ago and that location is still a problem spot as well.

In addition to the suggestions that TexAustin made about the deployment of yellow pedestrian signs and and barrels, I suggest (again) that Captain Clemente do a reverse 911 call about it being the law that vehicles stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and also that there be a feature story about pedestrian safety in the Medford Transcript. While the type of environmental fixes that Walk Medford is planning to bring to the city can be highly effective (though by their own admission, slow to be enacted), there's a definite and immediate need to address social norms as well. The public reminders, plus multiple instances of police enforcement would go a long way toward changing the behavior of drivers along this route!

The chances the implementation of various tactics to achieve change in driver behavior would have:
1. Erecting warning signs: Very slight possibility
2. Constructing barriers: More likely but not certain
3. Police enforcement: Immediate for those caught
4. Public reminders: In one ear and out the other
Summary: Driver behavior is highly unlikely to be influenced by "shoulds" as evidenced by the prevalent chaotic madness exhibited on roadbeds from the most major of highways to the most obscure byways.

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Where is the enforcement?? This morning (12/2/16) at 7:19 am I was at the High St/ Allston St intersection, while my 8th grader got on the school bus, the crossing lights were flashing, a pedestrian was in the middle of the crosswalk (half way across) and a car in the westbound lane sped through. Where is the enforcement? Where is the police presence? I sincerely hope we are not waiting for another accident to happen there.

This morning, I was crossing there with my first grader. We were very early and the crossing guard wasn't scheduled yet. Lights on and the usual 2 or 3 cars fly through anyway. We get half way across and another car and a SCHOOL BUS fly through without slowing down or stopping! We really need some enforcement here!

It's sadly true: police presence here is the only thing right now that will change driver behavior. It's in a known speed trap, cars will actually pay attention.

I put in a few calls to the Mayor's office and I think if people still calling- both the police chief and the mayor, then we might see some enforcement out there.

I thought the bus routes were changed? Not that that's the solution.

There are zero officers to police this. We are stuck with it.

The lights definitely help. Not perfect, but a much needed improvement. Cars still fly through, and pedestrians do need to be in self-preservation mode. The school bus flying through is unnerving.

Nothing will be done until someone dies. I hate to say it. Medford is such a pass through city now that these cars driving through don't give a damn.

nothing will be done even if there is a tragedy. You have a mayor who cares only about getting her face in a picture at any opportunity, a police chief who clearly would like to retire, and a bunch of lackeys in City Hall. 11 months to the next election.

Life, unfortunately, is not a bowl of cherries, things aren't always fair, and not everything has a solution. Sometimes it just is what it is.

Looking Around probably has something really original say about any problem to rationalize not getting out of his sofa and doing something to fix it.

I understand your frustration both with the situation and at what you apparently saw as my seemingly flippant response and/or take on it, but simply hypothesizing and generalizing won't offer a cure to either. I do think it is, however, rather incumbent upon us to face the cold hard fact regarding how this is clearly, or should I say obviously, a well-known UNIVERSAL PROBLEM when it comes to pedestrians crossing streets versus speeding, distracted and/or uncaring motorists. We are also, I would not hesitate to say, all more than keenly aware that it would take a literally CONSTANT, multiple police car presence to have even the slightest REALISTIC chance and/or hope of in any way alleviating, much less eliminating, this very unfortunate ongoing problem, and that solution is doubtless not going to be made available any time soon.

i was right

Certainly not in regard to capitalization and punctuation. As to what else, who knows?

City is working on it