I’ve long thought that many people don’t know what the word “yield” means and that this explains why they blow through or speed up at YIELD signs on highway ramps and at rotaries. In Wellesley in particular, “yield” might be better known for its meaning in economics.

Massachusetts driving rules specify that “When you see a YIELD sign, slow down and be prepared to stop. Let vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians go before you proceed. You must come to a complete stop if traffic conditions require it.”

That’s clear. Though I still think Australia and other countries have it right with their “Give way” signs.

Adding to the confusion now is this digital sign seen Thursday night at the mesmerizing orange-ringed rotary being redesigned on Great Plain Avenue in Wellesley.

The digital sign backs up and seems to overrule a smaller YIELD sign, which displays the correct spelling of “yield.” The easier-to-see digital sign misspells the word as YEILD in warning drivers how to negotiate the rotary. Language teachers could be seen swerving left and right last night as they approached the rotary, according to our intelligence.

Because we of course never make typos on The Swellesley Report, we’re allowed to poke fun at this one, as we’ve done over the years (recall 2010’s Post Office typo of “Wellesly”).

Anyway, don’t forget to give way the next time you drive or cycle through that rotary.

• Thank you Swellesley Report supporters & on to Year Sweet 16

The fraught-with-peril Bacon Street intersection that links Natick and Wellesley at Rte. 135 is going to get a much needed upgrade to go along with the Bacon Street bridge replacement project that the MBTA already has underway.

The 100-plus-year-old steel bridge is being replaced with a design that could accommodate possible construction of a future third track for commuter rail service. Work began last year on the project, which could be complete as soon as a year from now.

But what happens under the bridge might be more of interest to any of you who have driven, walked, run or biked there.

Wellesley Executive Director Meghan Jop shared a brief update from the town’s Traffic Committee at the Select Board’s Nov. 16 meeting, noting that the Bacon Street/Rte. 135 intersection is close to Wellesley Square but unsafe to navigate. There are limited sidewalks under the bridge and “terrible sight lines” that make it difficult to cross Rte. 135 to get to the Wellesley College side.

The town asked the MBTA to think creatively, and it did, Jop said. A sidewalk will be extended on the Natick side of the bridge underpass, and a rapid flashing beacon will be installed to help people cross Rte. 135. This work will be conducted while the bridge construction is being done.

State funding, secured via State Rep. Alice Peisch and her office, will also be used to explore the possibility of full signalization across Central Street/Rte. 135, and results of that study would be presented to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which controls that property. The results of that effort will materialize further down the road.

“We’ve made some really good strides in terms of pedestrian safety at the area when this is completed,” Jop said. “It sounds small, but I can’t tell you how much it means from a connectivity standpoint,” she added.

Now and after Bacon Street bridge photos, from the MBTA:

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