Falmouth Making Safety Changes On Route 151 Following Fatal Crash

FALMOUTH, MA — A crash on Route 151 resulting in the death of a 4-year-old boy spawned the Falmouth Select Board to make some short-term changes to the road and explore long-term fixes.

Route 151, a 7-mile straightaway cutting through Falmouth and Mashpee, is a busy road that allows drivers to avoid much of Route 28, but according to town officials the number of crashes on the road has long been a problem.

And following the death of Okemos R. Brown, 4, a Mashpee Wampanoag tribal member, about 4,700 people signed a petition calling for the Falmouth Select Board and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to take action, Board vice Chair Doug Brown said. Town officials, including Public Works Director Peter McConarty, said some short-term fixes may help make the road safer while the town works with state transportation officials ona long-term solution.

"There are some immediate things that could be done out there," McConarty said during Monday's Select Board meeting.

One of the short-term suggestions McConarty suggested was having public works look at sight lines along Route 151 to see what brush and trees need clearing. Other issues brought up included visibility at night and speeding.

"Route 151 is very dark at night," McConarty said. "It makes it difficult to read the street signs."

Town officials decided they will replace some road signs to make them more visibile and reflective for night drivers. McDonarty also said that if the budget allows, he wants to install new streetlights along Route 151.

As for speeding, McConarty said he wants to explore funding for solar-powered speed radar guns that flash when a person is driving too fast. He said he wants six of them on Route 151, but they are expensive, costing $12,000-14,000 each.

In the short-term, McConarty said he's going to talk to the police department about putting some of their mobile speed trailers along the road.

"It's a 50 mph road, but I would say the habits of motorists is they drive what they’re comfortable at on the road, McConarty said. "They’d be doing 60-65 mph on the roadway."

Public Works Director Peter McConarty said Route 151 was studied in 2018, and there's plans to add a left-turn lane along the Route 151-Sandwich Road intersection. According to the most recent crash data from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the intersection of Route 151 and Sandwich Road ranked as the 29th most dangerous intersection in the state. In 2017, there were 41 crashes at the intersection, and 18 resulted in fatalities or injuries.

McConarty said Route 151's long-term solution is to have a report done on the entire road that addresses intersections, road topography, signs and lights, but those improvements require the approval of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and may not be completed for five-eight years. Town meeting approval would also be a likely requirement