The streets of Dorchester have become increasingly cloggeded in recent months, with slow-moving traffic jams becoming regular annoyances in many parts of the neighborhood.

Area C-11 Police Captain Thomas Lee told a luncheon gathering of the Dorchester Board of Trade this week that traffic problems are on the rise, and the problem is the source of many complaints from civic groups throughout the district.

Despite an aggressive traffic enforcement policy on the district (he says Area C leads the city in traffic citations,) the police chief said he is at a loss to explain why the traffic woes seem to be growing unabated.

One of the most congested streets has long been Dorchester Avenue, from Fields Corner to Savin Hill, and Captain Lee said he believes things soon will get worse there. An ongoing sewage construction project continues on Dot Ave., and soon large number of buses will be added to the mix when the MBTA closes Savin Hill, Fields Corner and Shawmut stations for major reconstruction.

Lee also says heavy commuter slowdowns on the Southeast Expressway in recent months have attracted many South Shore commuters off the highway and onto the Avenue.

Other perpetual problem areas include Columbia Road in Uphams Corner, and Washington Street in Codman Square, where back-ups can be seen throughout the day.

Another snag has developed at Adams Corner, where the intersection of Gallivan Blvd., Adams Street and Granite Avenue is now a major source of congestion. Late afternoon traffic is often stacked for blocks on Granite Ave. and Gallivan Blvd., causing northbound traffic on Adams Street to back up to Cedar Grove Cemetery and beyond. During one rush hour this week, Adams Street was in virtual gridlock from Gallivan all the way back to Lower Mills.

The heavy snarls cause an annoyance for residents in the neighborhood, but worse is the growing threat to public safety. In emergencies, ambulances, fire trucks and police cars have little chance of fighting their way through the congestion. Also, aggravated drivers stuck in the stalled traffic often get belligerent, and many decide to trailblaze their own new routes the wrong way down nearby residential streets. In the midst of this traffic mess, an avoidable tragedy is likely to happen.

What can be done? Let's start with a traffic study, and a review of the traffic light sequence at busy intersections. For example, no one can remember the last time the lights were changed at Granite and Gallivan. It was years ago, that's certain, and the sequence there was designed for a traffic flow quite different from conditions today.

Adding to the problem is the fact that Gallivan is a state highway, controlled not by City of Boston officials but by state highway officials and the MDC. Someone there should become accountable for the deplorable conditions.

We do not have the answers, but it's likely that many people have some good ideas for improvements. We welcome our readers' comments, and in the coming weeks we will publish your ideas. Write to us online at news@dotnews.com, or send your suggestions to our office at 150 Mt. Vernon St., Suite 120, Dorchester MA 02125.

The traffic mess that overwhelms our neighborhood is out of control. It is a basic quality-of-life issue. It's time for Dorchester people to take back control of traffic on our streets, and for public officials to respond to our needs.

- Ed Forry