Framingham's Pleasant Street Gets Accessibility Upgrades

FRAMINGHAM, MA— You might notice more construction trucks and workers over on Pleasant Street in the coming weeks. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is revamping nine intersections along Pleasant Street/Route 30 in Framingham to improve accessibility. The work should wrap up by the summer of this year, according to a MassDOT spokesperson.

The section of Pleasant street being worked on sits west of the turnpike— putting it under MassDOT's jurisdiction and not the city's. The project is part of a larger move by MassDOT to make sidewalk and ADA upgrades in 12 municipalities at various locations. In Framingham, nine intersections will see some major work done.

"The work to be done under this contract consists of wheelchair ramp construction, sidewalk reconstruction, repairs and upgrades at various locations," a MassDOT spokesman said. The improvements will bring the crossings under ADA and AAB compliance under the MassDOT Transition Plan.

Karen Dempsey, Chair of the Disability Commission, was grateful the improvements were being made, but added that the sidewalks as a whole need to be improved. "You can do the curb cuts and part of the sidewalk that's attached but you need to do the whole thing," she said.

The MassDOT spokesman said the improvements will not target just the curb cuts but sidewalk reconstruction as well, he did not specify how far the reconstruction would stretch. "I use my scooter over by Brophy Elementary and its pretty bad there," she said.

Dempsey said she would like to see more improvements to sidewalks under the city's jurisdiction as well. Kelly McFalls, spokeswoman for the mayor's officer, said all curb cuts in the city are grandfathered into improvement plans. "As improvements are made they are made ADA compliant in the process," she said.

So far, Framingham's road projects include Marble Street Roadway, North Concord Roadway, the Beaver Street Bridge and the Salem End Road Bridge among other utility and pump station repairs. To view a full list of the DPW's ongoing projects, check their website.