Living near an industrial freight facility is more than a mere inconvenience for residents of the Grafton Hill neighborhood in Worcester. The Worcester Telegram reports that since the expansion of the CSX Intermodal freight yard on Grafton Street near downtown, neighbors have seen a discomforting increase in the number of tractor-trailers using residential streets.
In 2010, Florida-based railroad company CSX expanded its intermodal freight storage and transportation facility on Grafton Street, and lately, there has been growing concern from residents and business owners worried about the noise pollution and the wear and tear on residential roads.
This increased truck traffic in residential neighborhoods inevitably has some unpleasant consequences for locals beyond just noise pollution from truck horns and tractor-trailer engines. The prevalence of tractor-trailers on smaller roads may be contributing to higher accident rates on Grafton Street.
Traffic Accidents in Worcester
Taking a look at our traffic map showing the most dangerous intersections in Worcester based on the number of accidents, you can see that Grafton Street is one of the spots where car accidents are most frequent.
To add to the problem, rather than turning right out of the driveway to get on I-290, CSX truck drivers are frequently attempting a left turn out of the Grafton Street driveway to follow a shorter route using residential roads. This left turn leads the tractor-trailers to residential roads including Hamilton Street, Plantation Street and Lake Avenue, which were not built to withstand heavy traffic. This shorter route also leads the tractor-trailers past five schools, where schoolchildren are frequently crossing.
Some members of the City Council have recommended building a barrier to prevent CSX trucks from turning left toward residential roads.
Tractor-Trailers on Residential Roads
When tractor-trailers use smaller residential roads, the risk of collisions increases because there is less space for them to maneuver and pedestrian crossings are more frequent. Always take extra caution when driving near an 18-wheeler, as it takes longer for such a large vehicle to break or react to the unexpected.
Check out our FAQ on Truck Accidents in Massachusetts for information on what to do if you’ve been in a collision with a commercial truck.
Claim The Compensation You Deserve
If you have been injured in a car accident involving a commercial truck or other vehicle, or incurred monetary losses from a collision with a tractor-trailer, it’s important that you speak with a local personal injury attorney.
After an accident, it’s essential that you act immediately to make sure that your rights are protected. Peter Ventura has extensive experience in this area of practice and has helped his clients realize significant compensation in personal injury and car accident cases over the years, including:
- $3 million in a fatal Worcester County auto accident involving a minor
- $1 million in a case involving serious injuries to an elderly couple
- $500,000 in a wrongful death case involving a tractor-trailer
The bottom line is, if you’ve been in a car accident with a tractor-trailer or any other commercial vehicle, you need to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact Peter Ventura toll-free at 508-755-7535 for a free and always confidential consultation.
