South Great Road (State Route 117) carries extremely heavy commuter traffic, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. Lincoln Road, which has become an increasingly popular “cut through”, crosses Route 117 and connects residential neighborhoods with Town services and destinations such as the MBTA Commuter Rail stop at Lincoln Station and school campus.

Residents have voiced concern regarding safety for pedestrians and bicyclists when crossing Route 117. High operating speeds, complicated geometrics, and poor sightlines have been identified as contributing factors to this dangerous situation. Chief Kennedy of the Lincoln Police Department notes that in addition to the accidents that have occurred at this location, there are many “near misses”. This is a key intersection on one of the most heavily travelled roads in Lincoln. This intersection connects neighborhoods to Lincoln Station and Mass Audubon and is ranked by MAPC’s Local Access as a road segment that people walking or biking from their homes use to access school, shops, restaurants, parks, transit stops, and other key destinations. This intersection was also identified as a high priority by our Complete Street Public Forums and surveys, as many residents and families with small children avoid crossing here due to safety concerns.
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​ Recent improvements include: • Pedestrian refuge island(s) • Crosswalks • Pavement markings, signage and a pedestrian crossing light to encourage appropriate operating speeds and enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing Route 117.