Revere Council Green-Lights New Traffic Signal and Entrance Shift for Overlook Ridge
The vote clears the path for a new signal at Salem Street, a relocated entrance, and future commercial space near the firehouse.
By Harvey Wilson ·
The Revere City Council voted last week to approve a new layout for the Overlook Ridge Drive intersection at Salem Street. The decision allows developers to close the current entrance and install a new traffic signal at the relocated site. This move marks the first step in a multi-decade plan to improve traffic flow at the development on the Revere-Malden border.
Jennifer Schultz, an attorney representing the developers, described the vote as a necessary foundation for broader roadway improvements. She noted that while this change is a small part of the overall redevelopment, it initiates the process of bringing traffic mitigation to the area.
Marshall Tycher of Veris Residential explained that the approval enables the installation of the long-awaited traffic light. The new entrance will be located on the far side of the Overlook Ridge Drive firehouse. Tycher stated that the team plans to straighten out the drive, add new MBTA bus stops on both sides of the road, and connect a pathway from the marsh through the property.
The council’s approval of the parcel as a public way unlocks MassWorks state funding for the project. Developers have previously sought to reconfigure the northbound ramp of Route 1 to better serve the development. Tycher confirmed that the development team will return to the council at a future date to present plans for improving those exit ramps.
Tycher emphasized that the new signal will make the intersection safer than the current setup. He said the benefit of the work at this intersection has been a topic of discussion in Revere for years. The new light will directly address safety concerns at the crossroad.
Several council members asked questions about the commercial development planned for the closed-off portion of the parcel. Developers have previously indicated an interest in bringing a small grocery store to the site. Tycher said the team hopes to secure a bodega for the location, but they have not yet begun site development or started the search for a tenant.
The developers will proceed with the plan once all approvals are in place. The immediate next steps involve preparing the site for the new entrance and signal installation. The council’s vote removes the primary barrier to beginning this phase of construction.
