Avoid the area: 10 notable road projects in Central Mass.

By Brian Lee
Telegram & Gazette Staff

Posted May 21, 2018 at 10:49 PM  

Updated May 21, 2018 at 10:50 PM

 

The departure of cold temperatures and snow is a cue to road crews that it’s time to tackle the big projects. In Central Massachusetts, the state Department of Transportation has a handful of projects on its To Do list. Here are 10 road jobs that might make motorists a few minutes late to their destination:

 

 

1. Shrewsbury-Northboro-Westboro, Route 9 resurfacing: The resurfacing starts at Maple Avenue in Shrewsbury and continues 6.2 miles to the east, finishing just west of Lyman Street in Westboro. Sections of the median barrier will be replaced and minor widening will occur, allowing for 6-foot shoulders through intersections. Contract amount is $12.4 million. Completion by March 2019.

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2. Grafton-Millbury, Massachusetts Turnpike resurfacing: Project will “micro mill” and resurface the Mass. Pike from the Millbury/Auburn line to the Grafton/Westboro line, both directions. Related work will include replacing median guardrail with concrete median barrier, median widening, stormwater improvements, sign replacement and new pavement markings. The contract amount is $13.6 million. Completion by May 2019.

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3. Millbury, Route 146 bridge replacement and road work: The span over West Main Street will be replaced. Also acceleration and deceleration lanes along Route 146 will be added. The intersections of the Route 146 ramps with Elmwood Street/West Main Street and Elm Street/Elm Court will be reconstructed as roundabouts. The contract amount is $20,444,069. Completion by June 2020.

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4. Shrewsbury, Main Street resurfacing: Project runs from I-290 to Maple Avenue. The work includes mill and overlay of the existing roadway, full depth roadway widening, drainage improvements including new pre-cast catch basins and manholes, new corrugated plastic and ductile iron drainage pipes, installation of sidewalks with granite curbing on both sides of the roadway, wheelchair ramps, upgrading of traffic signals, extension of the existing culvert at West Brook, excavation, landscaping, signing and pavement markings. The contract amount is $4.6 million. Completion date, not specified.

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5. Sturbridge-Holland, Interstate 84 maintenance: Project consists of resurfacing and related work and drainage improvements along the section of Interstate 84 between Sturbridge and the Connecticut border, both directions. Contract amount is $15 million. Completion by May 2019.

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6. Westboro, Route 9 and Lyman Street intersection and signal improvements: The area will be widened and resurfaced, with turning lanes added. The median barrier on Route 9 will be replaced within the project limits, from 3,000 feet west of Lyman Street to 1,500 feet east of Lyman Street. Sidewalks and roadway shoulders will be incorporated within the project limits. Contract amount is $7.7 million. Completion by July 2019.

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7. Worcester, Main Street business district streetscape improvements: Project involves resurfacing, sidewalk reconstruction and streetscape elements, including trash receptacles, benches and bike racks between Chandler Street and School Street, near the courthouse. Some areas will allow for better bicycle travel. Many sidewalks will be improved to meet ADA requirements. An $8 million contract was awarded in March and work is anticipated to get underway soon. No completion date specified.

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8. Worcester-West Boylston Interstate 190 maintenance: The project consists of resurfacing, barrier replacement and bridge deck and joint repairs of nine bridges. Lane takings are required to complete the bridge work. The project runs between Exits 1-4 and covers about 3.2 miles. The contract amount is $22 million. Completion by August 2019.

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9. Marlboro-Northboro, I-290 maintenance: Project primarily consists of resurfacing I-290 in Northboro and Marlboro. The roadway resurfacing and related work will include bridge deck and joint repair of six bridges. The contract amount is $12.9 million. Completion by September.

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10. Shrewsbury-Boylston-Northboro, I-290 maintenance: Project will resurface I-290 in Shrewsbury, Boylston and Northboro. The contract amount is $14 million. Completion by 2019.