“Study Targets Safer, Smoother Travel at Key Intersections“

The Town of Reading has submitted a letter of support for a state grant application that could lead to long-term changes at several railroad crossings, with the goal of improving traffic flow and public safety.

During the recent Select Board meeting, Town Manager Jayne Wellman reported that the MBTA is seeking funding to study the elimination of up to five at-grade rail crossings in Reading. The crossings identified for study include Woburn Street, Washington Street, Main Street, Ash Street, and New Crossing Road.

Wellman noted that the Willow Street crossing is not included in the current proposal.

If the grant is awarded, the MBTA would begin planning and design work to explore options for separating train and roadway traffic at those locations. At-grade crossings, where roads and rail lines intersect at the same level, are often a source of congestion, particularly when trains block traffic during peak travel times.

Town officials said that eliminating these crossings could improve vehicle movement across town and enhance public safety. Emergency response times could also be improved, as police, fire, and medical services would no longer need to wait for trains to clear intersections.

Potential solutions could include constructing overpasses or underpasses that allow either the roadway or the rail line to pass above or below the other. No specific designs have been proposed at this stage, and the grant would only fund the initial planning phase.

The project remains in its early stages, and officials emphasized that the grant would not cover construction costs. Instead, it would support feasibility analysis, engineering studies, and initial design work needed to move the concept forward.

Infrastructure projects of this scale typically take years to develop, with multiple phases of planning, funding, and public input required before construction can begin. However, town leaders said pursuing the grant is an important step toward addressing long-standing concerns related to train crossings in Reading.

The MBTA has not yet announced whether the grant will be awarded.

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