$63K MassDOT Grant To Fund Shrewsbury Crosswalk Project

SHREWSBURY, MA — Three years after town officials first identified the need to create a safer space for pedestrians on a busy thoroughfare near the Shrewsbury Town Hall and Town Center, a grant totaling $63,514 from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is making the project a reality.

Work is expected to begin later this week on two crosswalks that will be compliant with Americans With Disabilities Act standards on Maple Ave., town officials announced. The project will be funded by the MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces grant, which is a program designed to help fund projects promoting health and safety.

Assistant Town Manager Kristen Las said the crosswalks will be in proximity to the Shrewsbury Town Center and Town Hall campus. Both of the crosswalks will include ramp systems on either side of the street as well as raised dots that alert visually impaired residents that the crosswalk exists at that location.

The area produces a great deal of traffic, Las said, as the town farmer’s market, weekly food truck events and other community happenings take place in or near the space. In addition, several schools and businesses are in that area, which increases the amount of foot traffic the space sees on a daily basis.

“With the increased pedestrian traffic due to COVID-19 and people wanting to be outside, it’s greatly appreciated that we were awarded the grant,” Las said Tuesday. “It will greatly increase the pedestrian safety throughout the Maple Ave. corridor and allow people additional access to the Town Hall and other areas in the Town Center.”

The project will also include the installation of flashing light beacons at least one of the crosswalks and the installation of bike racks at Town Hall and the Shrewsbury Senior Center, both of which are located at 100 Maple Ave.

Work is expected to be completed by Oct. 9, Las said.