[ PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2026
April 24, 2026
Downtown Pedestrian Improvement Grant
The Town of Medfield recently installed delineator flexposts and painted curb extensions as traffic-calming measures designed to improve pedestrian safety in the downtown. Initial public response to this installation has raised a number of critical concerns about its impact on traffic flow through the center of town. This press release is intended to provide background information to answer some of the questions that have been asked, as the town works to address public concerns and adjust installations where appropriate to achieve the intended safety improvements while minimizing avoidable disruptions to traffic flow in the downtown.
The Town of Medfield received a $146,000 Pedestrian Improvement Grant from MassDOT as part of their Shared Safe Streets and Spaces Program. Pedestrian safety, particularly crosswalk safety, was identified as a concern in both the Townwide Master Plan and the Rapid Recovery Plan.
The project was designed by traffic engineers and included two construction phases. The first phase of the project took place in the fall, with the installation of new crosswalks on Main Street and North Street, and the realignment of the crosswalk at North/Janes Avenue. New crosswalk beacons were also installed on Main Street and North Street, as well as new ADA ramps in the downtown.
The second phase of the project was the installation of delineator flexposts and painted curb extensions to serve as traffic-calming measures, slowing vehicles and turning speeds while increasing visibility for crossing pedestrians.
The following are some of the questions that have been raised:
Who approved the Project?
The Select Board accepted the grant from MassDOT, and a review and presentation were made at the Select Board meeting on September 17, 2024.
Why did the Town apply for a Pedestrian Improvement Grant?
The 2021 Master Plan cites residents' concerns about pedestrian safety in the downtown area. The Downtown Rapid Recovery Plan cited concerns about the safety of pedestrians in downtown crosswalks and vehicles turning off Main Street.
Are the delineators permanent?
The flexposts are a traffic-calming pilot project and can be moved during this test period. Any of these locations deemed successful can be made permanent, and any that are not can be removed. The flexpost delineators are not permanent installations.
The new crosswalks, ADA ramps, and the flashing beacons on Main Street and North Street are permanent installations.
Were the Handicapped Accessible Spots blocked?
Yes, this was done in error, and those flexposts were removed. A broader discussion is underway regarding our downtown handicapped spaces, as some are not in compliance and need to be upgraded and/or moved to be fully compliant.
How will this impact snowplowing?
The flexposts will be removed for the winter months to allow for snowplow operations.
Medfield02052's Blog 
I was coming down North St, heading straight across Main St and planning to continue to the Library parking lot. While waiting for the light to turn green so I could proceed, a Tresca cement truck pulled next to me, intending to make a right onto Main St. I was paying attention to my own driving, but I had doubts the posts guiding him into his right turn were placed so that he could safely make his turn without intruding into the east bound lane on Main St. Ditto for the placement of the posts if you were traveling west on Main st and hoped to make a right onto North St. Looked as if a car or truck would swing quite wide following the posts to complete the turn.
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