New Bedford’s Braley Road is Among One of the City’s Worst Traffic Spots

I'll say it loud and I'll say it proud- navigating Braley Road in New Bedford is not for the weak. It feels like a test of patience for even the most seasoned drivers. Forgive me for sounding like a nagger, but it’s time to address the chaos that plagues this vital stretch of roadway.

During a recent visit to my buddy's place near Sassaquin Pond, I was unprepared for the gridlock that awaited me. The situation was nothing short of pandemonium. Pulaski Elementary School had just let out, adding a new layer of complexity as parents and school buses converged. Meanwhile, the nearby Dunkin’ saw a rush of patrons craving a mid-day caffeine fix, garbage trucks flowed in and out of the industrial park, and traffic from Acushnet added to the congestion.

The intersection of issues on Braley Road is a perfect storm of congestion. Traffic from Acushnet continuously pours into the mix, contributing significantly to the gridlock. The situation is exacerbated by shift changes at the nearby industrial park, which houses multiple facilities, including the Titlest plants, MA State Lottery regional headquarters, National Grid, AFV Cable, and the New Bedford dump and transfer station. These changes cause surges in traffic that compound the problem.

Adding to the chaos is the inconvenient location of the Dunkin’ on Braley Road, which becomes a bottleneck, particularly for drivers exiting the 140 Northbound offramp (especially since there's a Dunkin' right up the street inside the Industrial Park- what's the need for two on the same road?). The exchange at Peckham Road and 140 further complicates the flow, intensifying the congestion. Additionally, morning and afternoon school runs, especially when Pulaski Elementary is in session, require an extra 20 minutes of travel time to avoid delays.

The Michael and Maddie Show recently tackled this topic, sparking a lively discussion among listeners. Opinions were divided, with some, like Madison Defresne, asserting that Braley Road is among the worst in New Bedford, describing it as "horrendous" and "the worst by far." Suzy Nunes-Bilhete echoed this sentiment, lamenting the lack of progress on petitions for better egress options at Pulaski Elementary.

On the flip side, other callers pointed to Hayden McFadden by County and Purchase Streets, and the areas around Keith Middle and New Bedford High Schools, as equally, if not more, troublesome. Claims of "nothing else compares to the traffic that surrounds the two schools" were voiced, highlighting the shared struggles of streets adjacent to educational institutions.

While it’s clear that many school-adjacent roads in New Bedford face challenges, the intensity of the Braley Road experience left me with a sense of relief upon reaching my destination. If you’re planning to commute past this nightmare of a roadway, it's best to brace yourself—it’s a stress test in its own right.