OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

CITY HALL

375 MERRIMACK STREET

LOWELL, MA  01852

TELE: (978) 970-4000  FAX: (978) 970-4007

Bernard F. Lynch

City Manager

TO:                  Mayor Edward “Bud” Caulfield

                                    And

                        Members of the Lowell City Council

FROM:            Bernard F. Lynch, City Manager

DATE:             June 9, 2008

SUBJECT:       UPDATE TO MOTION OF 4/15/08 BY COUNCILOR RITA MERCIER

REQUEST THE MANAGER CONTACT THE STATE RE: TIMING OF TRAFFIC LIGHT ON GORHAM STREET AT HIGHLAND STREET

Jeff Gomes, Transportation Engineer has looked into a data collection program for this location since the last motion response that was provided to the City Council.  As previously stated, the close proximity of this intersection with Thorndike Street/Gallagher Terminal and Thorndike Street/YMCA Drive (both approximately 400 feet away on either side) requires that any changes must be carefully considered given that this is the major gateway to the City from the Highway system.  These signals must be looked at collectively and coordinated properly. 

This update is meant to provide the City Council with the timeframe for data collection.  It is necessary to conduct further data collection in September when schools are in session so that proper volumes will be analyzed.  Once again, when the new data is collected and analyzed, coordination between the intersections can be established and a recommendation for changes will be provided to the City Council.

Please contact me with any further questions regarding this information.  Thank you.