Chelsea is taking a closer look at pedestrian safety near Cottage and Bellingham streets following the death of a 2-year-old girl who was struck by a vehicle in October.

At its November 4 meeting, the Chelsea Traffic and Parking Commission voted to continue studying traffic-calming measures in the area. The discussion followed a resident's request for speed bumps on Cottage Street.

The commission did not approve speed bumps or a final street redesign. Instead, it directed attention toward a broader review of traffic conditions, street lighting and potential safety improvements.

For residents concerned about the area, the distinction matters: the city has begun addressing lighting problems, but longer-term traffic changes remain under consideration.

Lighting repairs have already been made

During the meeting, a representative of Chelsea's Department of Housing and Community Development said staff had visited the location with Public Works and public safety personnel.

Officials reported that two lighting problems had already been addressed.

The city's electrical contractor replaced a light on a utility pole near the site. The electric company also replaced another light farther along Bellingham Street.

The city plans to explore brighter lighting with the utility company.

Street lighting is important in neighborhoods where pedestrians, parked vehicles and moving traffic share relatively narrow roads. Better visibility can help drivers identify people approaching or crossing a street, particularly after dark.

Lighting alone, however, does not address every traffic hazard. That is why the commission is continuing its review of possible measures to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety.

The October tragedy

On October 14, a 2-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle on Bellingham Street at approximately 9:40 p.m.

According to NBC10 Boston's reporting, the child and her mother had recently been dropped off near their home.

Police said the driver remained at the scene. The investigation was still open when the Traffic and Parking Commission met on November 4.

City officials have not identified a final cause of the collision, and the commission's decision should not be interpreted as a finding about what happened.

The tragedy has nevertheless renewed attention to the safety of Chelsea's residential streets.

A city representative told commissioners that Chelsea remains committed to the principles of Vision Zero, an approach that seeks to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.

Another intersection is under review

The commission also discussed pedestrian safety at Eastern Avenue and Carroll Street following a separate request from District 3 Councillor Norieliz DeJesus.

The intersection is included in a larger Safe Routes to School infrastructure project. Permanent construction, however, is not expected before 2028.

Rather than wait for that project, city departments will study whether temporary improvements could be installed sooner.

Commissioners discussed possible changes to pavement markings and other relatively quick improvements. Public Works had already repainted markings intended to keep the intersection clear and installed a sign.

The commission voted to have Housing and Community Development and Public Works examine additional temporary traffic-calming options.

What happens next?

Chelsea has not announced a timetable for recommendations at Cottage and Bellingham streets.

The study will determine what measures the city considers appropriate, but no specific construction project has been approved.

Residents can follow future commission meetings and review the November 4 meeting transcript.

The next important development will be whether the review produces specific improvements—and how quickly the city can put them in place.