Selectmen Aim to Beautify Roundabout

The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen are forming a three member committee in an effort to make the planned roundabout at the intersection of Route 44 (Winthrop Street) and Route 118 (Bay State Road) more attractive for motorists.

Selectman Jim Muri will represent the board. Two members of the public are being sought to serve on the committee, which will make suggestions for improvement. “The overwhelming majority of the physical work is out of our hands,” Muri said Monday. “There are some aesthetic considerations that we do have control over.”

More than 60 crashes had been reported at the intersection during a five year timeframe, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. 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.

Selectman Michael Costello, who also serves as Highway Superintendent, said Mass DOT was “receptive to some changes” in the roundabout design. Costello believes the roundabout is a “focal point” for the town. “You want something nice there,” Costello added.

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.

Anyone who is interested in serving on the Roundabout Beautification Committee can submit a talent bank form to the selectmen’s office at Town Hall.