I agree. There has been an increase in traffic on this road since Hallmark Health now shuttles their employees from what used to be the Malden Hospital campus. I too believe the speed limit is a bit excessive.

Is anything going to be done about this? I too notice that the T buses speed here.

why are they allowed to shuttle people. traffic is constant

Why has this issue not been acknowledged by the city????? The buses on this roadway are route 99 MBTA buses and they also speed on Highland Ave. Can the city council or the mayors office acknowledge this issue. The DPW who the city assigned to this issue would not be able to change speed limits without council approval and I do not beleive the DPW is the best place to assign this issue.
Perhaps the Mayors office could reach out to the MBTA and ask that their police assist in enforcing speed laws in the area including the speed of their own buses.

Hi Jim , you are correct the dpw cannot change the speed limit the only thing we do is hang the signs that are approved by the traffic Commision. I will forward this to the Malden Police Traffic division for review

Thanks

Bob Knox Jr.

Director of DPW

Itinalaga ni Robert P. Knox Jr. (Director of Public Works) ang isyung ito kay Police Department

I have spoken to the MBTA Customer Complaint department. They have assigned a supervisor to the area and he has been periodically working the roads. I met with him on the street and he agreed to keep the area patrolled and to review with all drivers.

Thank you Bob for your response and thanks Mark for notifying the MBTA. I am looking for the ward 3 councilor and/or the mayor to jump in and respond here. The same route 99 bus was observed today not yielding as it crossed the Fellsway but rather cutting cars off that had the right of way. I am looking for my elected officials to work with the MBTA police and state police as well as posting lower speed limit signs on both Savin Street and Highland Ave!!!
It is odd that the elected officials post many issues here but never seem to respond as to what they are doing to resolve some of these traffic related issues.

Thank you for the information. In order to get the speed limit lowered, you must contact your City Councillor who can then put the request before the Traffic Commission. The Councillor for ward 3 is John Matheson.

John Matheson any updates on lowering the speed limit??

Does the City Councillor have to make the request? A citizen cannot make such a request before the traffic commission? That doesn't seem right to me. We are going on six months and there has been no movement yet and the area continues to be a danger due to speeding and the increased use of the hospital as a cut thru. God forbid something happens to someone crossing that road.

Is there a way to add a stop sign or streetlight at the intersection of Savin Street and Fellsway East? This is an extremely dangerous intersection with a wide road between to very public parks (Fellsmere Park and Amerige Field). I'm surprised there is not more traffic mitigation here in the form of AT LEAST a stoplight, bumped out curbs and ample crosswalks. Seems very unsafe to me and the people walking their kids and dogs between the parks.

Add a stop sign or traffic signal on the Fells? At Savin St intersection? I don't think a stop sign is needed, I think a little patience is needed.

I cross the Fells plenty of times, although I usually cross at Pine St instead (the Amerige park tennis court side). With a little patience, I wait for the wave of cars to pass, and then I mosy across. I don't like to be rushed and I don't expect cars to stop just because I have to cross. My 200 lb self waits until the chances of the 2000 lb car hitting me is next to zero.

So next time you have to cross, and you see a bunch of cars coming your way, don't step in the cross walk, and expect the world to stop for you, take a step back...look up and enjoy the nature around you for a second, the street will be clear before you know it.

@ Priscot. Here is the law in Massachusetts regarding crosswalks
General Laws

PART I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE XIV PUBLIC WAYS AND WORKS
CHAPTER 89 LAW OF THE ROAD
Section 11 Marked crosswalks; yielding right of way to pedestrians;

Section 11. When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be so to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk marked in accordance with standards established by the department of highways if the pedestrian is on that half of the traveled part of the way on which the vehicle is traveling or if the pedestrian approaches from the opposite half of the traveled part of the way to within 10 feet of that half of the traveled part of the way on which said vehicle is traveling.

No driver of a vehicle shall pass any other vehicle which has stopped at a marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross, nor shall any such operator enter a marked crosswalk while a pedestrian is crossing or until there is a sufficient space beyond the crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating, notwithstanding that a traffic control signal may indicate that vehicles may proceed.

Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $200.

Whenever a pedestrian is injured by a motor vehicle in a marked crosswalk, the department of state police or the municipal police department with jurisdiction of the street, in consultation with department of state police if deemed appropriate, shall conduct an investigation into the cause of the injury and any violation of this section or other law or ordinance and shall issue the appropriate civil or criminal citation or file an application for the appropriate criminal complaint, if any. This section shall not limit the ability of a district attorney or the attorney general to seek an indictment in connection with the operation of a motor vehicle which causes injury or death and which violates this section.

Hello All concerned... I have spoken to Councillor at Large Debbie DeMaria regarding the issue of speeding, traffic signs and enforcement on the Hospital side of Savin Street. She is working on having "Slow Children" sign put up immediately and will work to have the speed limit concern placed on the traffic commissions agenda. She stated she will support the issue and speak on our behalf when it comes before the commission. Hopefully we will have a lower speed limit, better signage posted and increased enforcement.

This will address the initial concerns about that side of Savin Street.

I see other posts have been mentioned regarding the intersection of Fellsway and Savin Street. This is a much larger issue and much more complex because it involves a state road, Mass Highway and DCR. I think that it is an issue that has been ignored for a very long time. When you look at the number of accidents that have occurred there and the number of pedestrians that cross at that intersection it bewilders me as to why it has been ignored.

Councillor at Large DeMaria is interested I n hearing any concerns we have and helping to resolve them. I would be willing to host a gathering and facilitate the dialogue if people are interested.

I would be interested in that gathering. Perhaps we could also discuss the rotary on the same stretch of Fellsway East, just slightly up the road. I've submitted a couple tickets regarding that rotary in the past. Same jurisdiction issues.

Mark - Thanks for your response regarding the intersection of Fellsway and Savin Street. I will be moving to a house on Savin in a few weeks, and it helps to know that there have been discussions about addressing the busy street (including the 99 bus, which whips around this intersection on Savin every hour or so). When I was at the house a week ago, there was a children's soccer tournament, with tons of families, dog walkers, and kids walking around this very wide, 5-lane intersection.

As a landscape architect and urban designer/planner, I cannot understand how this intersection has been overlooked, but when you mentioned that it is a state road and DCR-planned road, it makes sense that there might be a hierarchy of car access over pedestrian access. Even so, the high use of pedestrian use in this area with adjacent parks should be addressed, and I don't think it's too out of line to recommend a traffic light. Since I design these types of systems for my profession I'd be happy to meet with anyone who could help address the issue. There are many ways that traffic mitigation could be addressed beyond just signage, such as medians, curb bumpouts, lessening the lane widths (which are already very wide for a residential street)...lots of options here.

Thank you! I will continue to follow this discussion thread in hopes of progress.

Jessica, welcome to the neighborhood! (My wife and I are on Pine St.) Depending on which part of Savin St you're moving to, you might be eligible to join our Nextdoor social network for the area. Here's a link to learn more: https://nextdoor.com/invite/teqxxxweprndybjhvexb Would love to connect on there. (Of course, anyone else on this thread who lives in this area is welcome to join as well!)

Richardh913, thank you for showing me the law and teaching me something. Not sure if I totally understood the language.

Be careful when interpreting theses laws, that it doesn't give you a sense of entitlement. The law should not circumvent common sense. If a 2000 lb piece of metal is coming at you, you may just want to consider being patient and let it pass.

From
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/crime-prev-personal-sfty/traffic-safety/ped-bic-mot-safety/pedestrian-safety.html

In 2008, approximately 20.6% (75 pedestrian fatalities) of all motor vehicle-related fatalities (364) involved pedestrians in Massachusetts. That year, 233 pedestrians suffered serious/incapacitating injuries as a result of a motor-vehicle crash. Many are quick to blame drivers for pedestrian fatalities and injuries. Yet the most frequent cause is pedestrian error.

There are so many laws on the book, that every side can find a law to hide behind:
720 CMR 9.09 (4) (a)
No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a sidewalk or safety island and walk or run into the path
of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield the right of way.

@Priscott I do not walk out in front of cars but do expect that they stop when a pedestrian is waiting to cross, this is only common courtesy. If the drivers on the Fellsway are going the required 25mph speed they should have no trouble stopping for pedestrians waiting to cross. Drivers also need to practice patience while traveling through our neigborhood.
On many of the DCR roads they have cross lights perhaps it is time to ask the state to put some crosslights on this section of the Fellsway near the park. If not crosslights then perhaps a raised crosswalks to keep the traffic at a safe enough speed so that are able to stop for pedestrians.

The raised crosswalk is an excellent idea.

Provided they paint it bright yellow and provide plenty of signage. Malden did an awful job of doing this on the raised crosswalk on Pleasant street, near the intersection of the Fells, They have since removed it.

For everyone's info, there's a year-old related conversation here: http://seeclickfix.com/issues/525387

All of this seems to fall on deaf ears. I've lived in this area for 24 years and it has always been a problem.

Hey All,
Just want to let you know Deb DeMaria is waiting to meet with anyone that wants to discuss the issue. Its my fault that we have been delayed work and family jave taken over. I will het a few dates that she is available over the next two weeks and arrange a meeting for us all. I was heading up to Cushing Rd the other day and one of the buses was well over the speed limit comindown the hill.

Still interested in that gathering!

I've publicized this thread on Nextdoor to give it some additional traction and hopefully get more attendance for the community meeting. Some folks on this thread are already members on Nextdoor, but for those of you who aren't, please consider joining: https://nextdoor.com/invite/teqxxxweprndybjhvexb

I am also interested in attneding a meeting

Hi All Ward 3 Residents. This concern has been on my radar and was just waiting for residents to get together and let me know exactly where the SLOW sign should be posted. I have directed DPW to be ready to post. That is an easy fix. Please give me specifics on that and it will be done in a day!

The speed limit sign request must go in front of the Traffic Dept. I would be more than happy to sponsor that for you. I also think we might want to explore some sort of Petition that all can sign if in agreement. I find the best way to move an initiative, is if we partner together. Who wants to call me or host a quick meeting? 781 953 9474. I am in Malden Monday evening June 30th and can reach out to the Police Chief and DPW Director, Bob Knox. Let's get this done. SAFETY FIRST.

I can do a meeting or call tomorrow anytime.

Another option…for all is if the weather is good, as predicted so far, we can just meet at the Fellsmere Pond. Keep it simple. Bring a folding chair.

Does that work for everyone? Monday, June 30th 6pm. ??

That date and time works for me. I can post it to Nextdoor, too.

Super. Thank you Josh. See you Monday at 6pm. I have also been advised that two SLOW signs were posted already. FYI.

Thanks! Where exactly at the Pond would you like to meet? Next to Savin St? I'll put that in the invite.

Love the idea of meeting on site! I usually work until 6pm and get back around 7pm, but I will try to get there around 6pm on Monday. Might be a few minutes late. Should we meet at the information kiosk/map?

Sounds perfect.

Just to be clear, is this the information kiosk/map on the Savin St side of the park?

I believe it is Josh. I will see you all tonight.

Great! I've posted the event to Nextdoor. https://nextdoor.com/invite/teqxxxweprndybjhvexb

Hi everyone, I came here from the NextDoor comment thread.

I am a parent to a 10-month old and we walk from Blomerth Street through the rotary and by the park and pond every single day with a stroller to get to and from daycare. We also have relatives that come to Malden to watch our daughter periodically, and they are always confused as to how to navigate the stretch from route 60 up to our house because it's not clear who has the right of way.

In my opinion, speaking as someone who travels this route by car and on foot AND someone whose property value is contingent upon the availability of an MBTA bus route (the 99) nearby, I'd like to see clarification of how to navigate these intersections (Savin at Fellsway and Highland at Fellsway) first, plus potential speed limit reductions, before we take the drastic step of asking the MBTA (with its limited funding) to police this stretch. Or, God forbid, eliminate the route, which I understand was proposed at the community meeting. In my view, that's extremely short-sighted, especially given that we don't know what's going to happen to the former hospital site. The route could be truncated or edited in the future based on what development goes in there.

Let's deal with the speeding, parking and signage issues first, through the right city channels, and forget about bothering the MBTA, which isn't going to care about our local problems or have any capacity to help trouble-shoot them. The DPW takes these things seriously so let's work with them and let them find the best solution based on their expertise.

This issue will be closed, thank you.