New Safety Improvements for Pedestrians in Woodfords Corner!

FWC’s mission includes  fostering a thriving, welcoming, and sustainable village hub. Making the Corner more walkable is an essential ingredient to our success!

Way back in 2019, the FWC “Active Transportation Committee” (ATC) conducted a couple of walking audits in the Corner. The purpose of a walking audit is to engage and educate the community on what makes their area safe and inviting for walking…and what doesn’t!

The walking audits confirmed that Forest Ave, especially crossing it, is one of the most dangerous parts of walking in Woodfords Corner. Pedestrians must deal with fast moving cars in FOUR lanes of traffic. Many of the motorists drive over the speed limit, gunning it to avoid red lights and are frustrated by the common traffic jams. During our audit, a Highland Street resident, who also happened to be a former state legislator, revealed that parents don’t let their children cross Forest Ave on their own until they are 16 years old. Other residents mentioned that they only frequent businesses on “their side of Forest Ave” because crossing is dangerous or that it takes forever waiting for the traffic lights to allow them to cross.

After our audits, the ATC mapped the most dangerous parts of the Corner and shared that information with the City’s Public Works Department (PWD).  The PWD recommended and funded adding two Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB’s) on Forest Ave to make crossing safer. 

Two sets of RRFB’s were installed recently and allow a pedestrian on either side of Forest Ave to activate blinking lights to stop the car traffic so they can safely cross. One set improves the safety of crossing at Walgreens–between Lincoln Street and Arlington Street – and the second set is at the intersection of Forest Ave with the two Coyle Streets. The City also improved the crosswalks which were previously on a diagonal. Now the crosswalks are perpendicular to Forest Ave which among other things, makes the walking distance shorter.

Thank you to the City for helping with this critical safety improvement! 

Please let us know if you’d like to learn more about this and other active transportation projects or to become a member of the ATC.