WORCESTER, MA — The city is moving forward with plans to redesign and improve Massasoit Road as part of a broader effort to modernize aging streets and improve safety for all users.
The project aims to rebuild and reconstruct Massasoit Road from Grafton Street to Sunderland Road to make it safer and more efficient for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. City officials say the roadway has long needed improvements due to wear and tear, traffic flow challenges and safety concerns at key points along the corridor.
Massasoit Road carries about 8,200 vehicles per day from Grafton and Heywood Streets and more than 14,000 vehicles per day between Heywood Street and Sunderland Road. In just three years, there were 50 crashes along the portion of the roadway, accoridng to Massachusetts Department of Transportation reporting.
Proposed improvements typically include road resurfacing, sidewalk upgrades, drainage work and intersection safety changes. The project is also expected to follow the city’s “complete streets” approach, which prioritizes accommodating all modes of transportation, not just cars.
The goal is to create a roadway that better supports daily travel while improving long-term safety and accessibility for residents in the surrounding neighborhoods, according to the City of Worcester Department of Transportation & Mobility.
Construction is expected to begin in June and will be overseen by the Department of Public Works' Engineering Division, accoridng to the city.
Residents will have an opportunity to review plans and provide feedback during a public meeting hosted by the city on May 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Rice Square Elementary School.
Community members are encouraged to attend and share input on traffic concerns, pedestrian safety and construction impacts before the project moves into final design stages.
See Also:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Worcester, MA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.