Selectmen mulling possible traffic infrastructure reconfigurations

Selectmen are once again taking a look at the traffic infrastructure and traffic-flow pattern in Byfield center. In a meeting late last month, town planner Martha Taylor discussed different scenarios by which Central and Main streets, and Church and Lunt streets, could be better defined and reconfigured with sidewalks and plantings. Officials have long been studying the area, as well as fielding complaints about parking, crosswalks, and the overall flow of traffic. In the summer of 2009, the traffic pattern in Byfield was shifted when portions of Lunt and Church streets were turned into one-ways and the Downfall Road intersection was made into a four-way stop. Since then, officials have sought input from residents and businesses on how best to improve traffic in the area.