As many residents know, the area of West Main Street between Cumberland Farms and Alltown Fresh is one of the most dangerous in Hopkinton. The traffic pattern creates a perfect storm of problems: vehicles exiting I-495 at high speed and merging at the same point cars are exiting from the gas station.
Many drivers attempt to take a left turn out of Cumberland Farms, resulting in multiple accidents per week.
The map below shows the hottest spots in Hopkinton for motor vehicle accidents over the past 15 months. The areas in blue see the most collisions.
Today the Hopkinton Department of Public Works began construction on a set of dividers for that stretch of road. Each divider will contain plastic posts that are 3′ tall, stretching from the Starbucks all the way to the flashing beacon near the divider. The installation will ensure drivers exiting Cumberland Farms make a right turn only, and will prevent others from crossing traffic to turn in to the convenience store.
Work began today and is expected to be completed by Thursday, with delays due to the pending storm. This is welcome news to many Hopkinton residents.
I agree this is a dangerous intersection and I am in favor of this improvement. However, a left turn out of Cumby’s is not illegal. There are no signs indicating no left turn.
Agreed. That was the problem. Cumberland Farms refused to prohibit left turns, now we have to spend tax payer dollars to make it safer.
Hi- Actually, unless the sign was taken down recently, there actually is a sign that says “no left turn”.
Likely, it’s out of town folks getting gas who don’t understand how far they may have to drive to do a u-turn to get back on 495. But in any event, regardless of whether it’s “illegal”, it is easily the worst left turn in town. Pleasant St. onto Main being a close second.
Multiple accidents a week…? I’m not so sure that is an accurate statement.
It is accurate
maybe an illuminated sign for the next few days indicating new traffic pattern?
There should also be some permanent signage for those exiting Cumby’s on how to get back to 495. If not, then the accident hotspots might just move to other nearby areas or inside parking lots. Similarly signage on how to exit Alltown Express and get back to the center of town.
How do you get back to 495 after getting gas?
If I get off the highway and want to get gas Mobil, how do I do that now.
Granted, that whole setup was a mess but I would think there would be some associated turnabout at the light
All this traffic is now going to be turning at the light and making uturns and cutting through Mobil or winding up going around 110 Grill. This wasn’t thought out.
To get to the Mobil, you would have to turn left onto Lumber St Extension followed by another quick left onto Elm St. There are entrances to Alltown Fresh from Elm St.
If I am headed from the middle of town towards 495, how do you get into Cumby’s? Is the DPW recommending doing a double loop on the 495 ramps?
GOING TO CUMBYS FROM THE CENTER OF TOWN NOW INVOLVES DOING A U TURN AT THE BASE OF SOUTH STREET. NOT GOING TO BE SAFE,SOON. MAYBE GOING INTO CHOPPER AND COMING OUT THE OTHER SIDE OF CHOPPER. ANYWAY, GETTING TO CUMBYS IS GOING TO TAKE AT LEAST 3 MORE TRAFFIC LIGHTS.
Here is an unintended consequence: I’ve noticed people parking at Alltown and crossing the street to Cumby’s. There’s no crosswalks near there and it looks like an accident waiting to happen.