Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 15, 2019 State Rep. introduces several bills to help reduce congestion on Route 1Wong’s traffic agenda By Mark E. Vogler S tate Representative Donald Wong says he thinks eliminating the jug-handle on the northbound side of Route 1 in Peabody might help alleviate traffic congestion along the busy highway that passes through the town’s major business corridor. The Saugus Republican also believes that extending the MBTA’s Blue Line from Government Center in Boston to Lynn might also encourage people to commute to work by rail instead of on the road. Improving the on-time efficiency of rail trains might also spur better train ridership. Wong’s concerns about traffic congestion – particularly on Route 1 – have prompted him to introduce several bills this year which he hopes will improve automobile travel and commuting options for his constituents. “I think it would help the traffic congestion on Route 1 if we got rid of the jug-handle and more people used trains and buses,” Wong told The Saugus Advocate this week. “The jug-handle backs up traffic both north and south. If we could get rid of it or put an overpass on it, I think it would be great, or maybe open or close it for certain hours,” he said. Wong has begun his fifth $2.53 GALLON GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 Fully Licensed & Insured $3.39 two-year term representing voters of the Ninth Essex House District. Precincts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in Saugus make up the core of the district, which also includes parts of Lynn and Wakefield. Legislation would create several study commissions One of the bills introduced by Wong would set up a special commission to study traffic patterns as a result of the Route 1 jug-handle, which is located on the northbound Emergency Service Available 24/7 SPECIALIZING IN KITCHEN & BATHROOM REMODELING * Heating * Cooling * Electric * Tile All Estimates Done By Owner * Drain Cleaning 781-FIX-PIPE (349-7473) • crnplumbing@gmail.com ADDRESSING CONGESTION: Eliminating the jug-handle on Route 1 North or building an overpass over the jug-handle would improve traffic flow on the highway, State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) says. But Wong has authored legislation to study traffic patterns first. (Saugus Advocate file photo) side of the highway nearest to 71 Newbury St. in Peabody. The commission would include seven members: two members of the House – one who would be appointed by the House Minority Leader; two members of the Senate – one who would be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; the Secretary of the state Department of Transportation or a designee; and two members to be appointed by the governor. If passed, the bill would require the commission to file its findings and recommendations with the chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation no more than six months after passage of the legislation. “The study will show where most of the cars are coming from,” Wong said. “It would also look at what it would cost to put an overpass over the jughandle and also come up with some cost for other options,” he said. Two other bills introduced by Wong would: Create a commission to study the financial feasibility and department capability of extending the MBTA Blue Line to include a stop in Lynn. The commission would include seven members: two members of the House – one who would be appointed by the House Minority Leader; two members of the Senate – one who would be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; the Secretary of the state Department of Transportation or a designee; and two members to be appointed by the governor. If passed, the bill would require the commission to file its findings and recommendations with the chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation no more than six months after passage of the legislation. Create a commission to study the on-time percentage of commuter rail trains in the state. The commission would include seven members: two members of the House – one who would be appointed by the House Minority Leader; two members of the Senate – one who would be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; the Secretary of the state Department of Transportation or a designee; and two members to be appointed by the governor. If passed, the bill would require the commission to file its findings and recommendations with the chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation no more than six months after passage of the legislation. “If the MBTA were to extend the Blue Line, I’d like to see it go all the way to Salem if we could,” Wong said. “And getting the trains to run on time would also help. We got to make sure that the trains and buses are on time and regular,” he said. Wong has also authored a bill that would provide a 25 percent reduction in tolls charged for drivers in electric cars. The discount would be provided for driving on the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Tobin Bridge and the Ted Williams Tunnel. The driver of an electric vehicle would only be allowed to apply the reduction to one passenger vehicle, which the driver must own or rent. “If we could use more electric cars, there would be less pollution,” Wong said.
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