History of the traffic lights at Massachusetts Avenue at Pleasant St at Mystic St
From memory
1. Originally it was a simple 4 way intersection with a cutover from Mass Ave Westbound to
Mystic St Northbound. A single train track passed thru the area. The train would change
all traffic lights to red when it traveled thru.
2. The railroad line was abandoned, the cutover was removed, and the Cutter House was
moved to its present location. The exisiting traffic signals and lanes were installed.
Maybe 1980. [1989 per update]
3. A woman started to picket the intersection everyday stating that it was unsafe. Maybe
1990.
4. Some changes were made to the turn signals - adding yellow and red arrows - removing
green signals from lanes that were supposed to be stopped. There was discussion as to who
had primary responsibility for the traffic lights - Town or State. Maybe 2000.
5. The Advocate published an article reporting on a plan from Ed Starr of TAC to have 2
northbound lanes on Mystic St to reduce delays and speed flow circa 2002.
6. Sept 2010 - "No biking on sidewalks" signs installed - countdown timers for pedestrians
added - time period for left turns from Mass to Mystic was lengthened, and safety gap added
This is a very rough history. Peter Sz
March 25 2019 - there is a video at YouTube that shows a steam locomotive going through this intersection in the 1940s or 1950s - here it is - https://youtu.be/pvkHb0nWWx4