West Main and School Street Improvements to go Before Town Meeting in May

Residents should expect to see an article to fund improvements at the School and West Main Street intersection presented at Town Meeting in May. Representatives from WorldTech Engineering, the consultants for the project, presented their recommended solution for the intersection, which includes the addition of a traffic signal with turning lanes, some pavement widening and two small land takings, and an estimated cost of $530,000, to the Board of Selectmen at their March 6 meeting.

As it exists today, the intersection at School and West Main Street is a stop sign controlled intersection which serves as the primary route between Upton, and towns further west, to Route 495 with a history of several severe accidents and near misses. During their analysis of alternatives for the intersection, WorldTech said their objectives were to reduce delays, to reduce the severity and frequency of crashes, to evaluate short term improvements at the South Street intersection, and to evaluate impacts on surrounding roadways.

Funding options for the project were also discussed, with three possible alternatives outlined, two of which were funded by the state. The first option, through the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, did not work out. An application was submitted in September for funding and the project was not approved.

The second option is to apply for funds through the State Transportation Improvement Fund (TIP) administered by the Boston Region MPO and MassDOT. Hopkinton is currently applying for inclusion in the FY2013 – FY2016 TIP, but the program is highly competitive, subject to long waits for funding, and requires MassDOT review and approval of the final plans.

The third funding option and the one recommended by WorldTech and DPW Director John Westerling is to fund the improvements locally. Town Manager Norman Khumalo said he expects a DPW sponsored article on the Town Meeting warrant in May. Advantages cited for local funding included no review by MassDOT and the ability to begin construction as soon as funding is allocated.

General feedback from the Board of Selectmen for the project was positive. Brian Herr asked for more details on the land takings and it was explained that the town already owned most of the land involved. Chairman Todd Cestari asked how long it would take to complete the project and was told approximately 6-8 months.

If approved at Town Meeting in May, the next steps include completing a topographic survey, completing the final design plans and construction.

The Powerpoint presentation by WorldTech Engineering is attached below.