March 28, 2024

State Officials: Roundabout will be ‘Safer’

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Officials from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) told residents Tuesday a roundabout at the intersection of Route 44 (Winthrop Street) and Route 118 (Bay State Road) would be safer than a signalized intersection.  More than 60 crashes had been reported during a five year timeframe, according to Mass DOT.

Mass DOT official John Morgan said the intersection was a “high volume location” with 13,000 vehicles passing through every day.  Mass DOT explained a roundabout will improve safety because vehicles will be travelling at slower speeds thereby reducing the probability of accidents. In addition the benefits will include lower maintenance and operation costs and a reduction in pollution and fuel usage.

The roundabout will be a “smoother, easier way” of travelling through the busy intersection, said selectman Michael Costello, who also serves as Highway Superintendent.  The redesigned intersection will feature crosswalks and bicycle lanes. There will also be new signage and new drainage installed. Morgan said there will be some temporary construction easements as well as permanent easements.

Selectman Jim Muri asked the Mass DOT officials about the impact on other roads, specifically traffic backups during rush hour.  Morgan said it would be a “continuous flow” of cars through the roundabout so the queues wouldn’t be too long.

The project will be fully funded by the Transportation Improvement Program at a cost of $1.8 million. The state will cover the design cost. The project will go out to bid in the fall and construction will begin in the spring of 2021.

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