[MassHistPres] Changing streets within a historic district/area due to increased traffic and growing towns

[Marilyn Fenollosa]

Everyone: "I wonder how Lexington reply’s to those that want to widen the Main St. so that traffic can move quicker?  I say take another route, change your commute time or move."

Our main street (Mass. Ave.) has been paved since at least the 1930s (the earliest photo I could find)(the first car arrived in 1900) - but even then it was a wide road through the middle of town with stores and restaurants on either side of the avenue. In 1966 the Hideo Sakaki firm designed a mid-century modern streetscape, mostly focused on creating a wide pedestrian mall on the north (sunny) side of the street with amenities - seatings, plantings, etc. - but I don't think they widened the existing pavement. Our more recent renovations, in 2016-2022, were necessitated by safety concerns: the Boston brick pavers were crumbling and hazardous, lighting was obsolete (i.e. not energy efficient, with dark areas in some pedestrian spots), the curb cuts were not clearly marked for handicapped access, etc. but again, the plan adhered to the Sakaki design and didn't widen the roadway itself. New street furniture and plantings, replacement wire-cut brick, "smart" stoplights, "bump outs" to protect pedestrian crossings, and reduced on-street parking were all part of the project enhancements. And we didn't increase the speed limit: rather, it was/reduced /from 25 mph to 20 mph. Come visit on a weekend, have a coffee at the outdoor seating and see for yourself!

Marilyn Fenollosa
Lexington


On 4/17/2026 2:44 PM, Nancy Robbins via MassHistPres wrote:
> Just curious as to how many towns and cities have ongoing issues with traffic tie ups through historic districts or with Main St traffic. Then have traffic  studies that propose to reroute the traffic, requiring many years of construction, houses and building removed , just to marginally improve the speed and traffic flow.?  Many of us move to such towns because of the small town dynamics. Do people think it’s ok, their right  just because it takes 10 more minutes during peak time to destroy historic or even non historic roadways. I wonder how Lexington reply’s to those that want to widen the Main St. so that traffic can move quicker?  I say take another route, change your commute time or move. It’s ok to let things be if there is no real need and its convenience at the cost of environment and history. Just wondering how other places deal with this scenario. TIA
>
> Nancy Robbins Federici
> Co-chair, Norton Center Historic District Commission
> C. (508) 958-5165
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