A traffic study presented on the proposed West Wareham Walmart indicated the store's engineers needed to take a closer look at traffic impact before the project could move forward.

Bernard Kalus presented the draft results of the highly-anticipated traffic study conducted by the town's peer review company WSP-Sells during a joint meeting of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday.

"It is clear that the project will have an increment adverse effect on traffic operations," the peer review findings indicated.

Walmart, which currently operates in East Wareham, has proposed a plan to construct a new store and move to the corner of Tobey Road and Cranberry Highway in West Wareham.

Kalus cautioned that without mitigation, increased traffic volume would increase delays and raise safety concerns specifically along Cranberry Highway (Route 28) in the vicinity of the intersection of Tobey Road and Tow Road and along Tremont Road between Main Street and Cranberry Highway.

"There are bad conditions there and it is going to get worse," Kalus said during the public hearing.

Wait times for cars are projected to nearly double along the Main Street approach to Tremont Road, according to the study.

WSP-Sells based the results of the study on traffic patterns near the affected intersections collected in March 2010 and October 2010. The previously completed Wareham Crossing traffic study, conducted in November 2004, was also incorporated.

Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals members were concerned that the study did not take into account seasonal variations in traffic during the summer months nor did it reflect traffic volume from the newly-built 815 Main Street housing units.

"We spent a lot of time, effort, and a lot of worry on the Wareham Crossing traffic. ... We don't want this new project to go in and undo it," Planning Board member Michael Martin said.

One of WSP-Sells' recommendations was to re-examine traffic conditions during peak seasons.

Walmart representative Shaun Kelly said the company has collected traffic data for the site as recently as two weeks ago. This data will be included in the final traffic study to be presented to the boards in late September, he said.

"Having those peak summertime counts will be the test," Kalus said.

WSP-Sells also pointed out that Walmart does not provide a significant plan to redesign the roadways to compensate for the increased traffic the proposed site could introduce.

"The plan as-is does not meet the impact," Martin said.

Traffic flow has been an ongoing concern for residents. Dozens gathered to hear the findings and voiced concern that the big-box store could create big headaches for drivers who reside in the area.

Residents of Great Hills Estates, located off Cranberry Highway, said the traffic that could be generated by the proposed Walmart would have a serious impact on their lives. The entrance of Great Hills Estates is less than 400 feet from one of the entrances of the proposed store.

"If the traffic is queued up ... we can't break into that lane. We can't get out!" Great Hills Estates resident Sheila Monaghan stated. "You are putting people in the park at risk."

In addition to Walmart’s current inventory, the new store would offer a full line of groceries. The store is currently prohibited from expanding its grocery business due to a restriction on its property because it is located in the plaza with Stop & Shop.

Prior to its construction, the project will need to be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board, the Board of Selectmen, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, and Mass Highway.

Both the town's peer review group and Walmart engineers will be taking the next month-and-a-half to evaluate the traffic study. A final copy of the traffic study will be presented to the boards on Tuesday, September 20 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall cafeteria.