Changes Proposed For One Of Melrose's Problem Intersections

MELROSE, MA — The intersection at Lynn Fells Parkway and Melrose Sreet is one of those you're just not quite sure how to handle your first time approaching.

Do I yield? Can I — should I — cut through to skip the light? What's up with left turns?

They aren't easy questions, as evidenced by the intersection having been the site of about 40 crashes from 2015-19, according to Massachusetts Department of Transportation data. That's more than the 33 or so crashes at the adjacent Lynn Fells Parkway/Main Street intersection.

But change is coming — it's just no yet clear what that'll look like. The Department of Conservation and Recreation held its second public meeting on proposed changes to the intersection last week.

Three of the four options presented featured a traffic light at the intersection, just a few seconds away from the traffic light at the Main Street intersection. One option featured blocking off Melrose Street from Lynn Fells Parkway completely, rounding off Crystal and Melrose Streets as a one-way loop funneling traffic to Main Street.

The intersection has long been criticized for being one of the city's most confusing and inefficient.

The Melrose Pedestrian/Bicycle Committee cited its poor visibility and lengthy crosswalks, among other things. You can see the group's letter to the DCR here.

You can watch the public hearing below. Make sure to follow on Instagram for supplemental local coverage of this story and more.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook