Transportation Planning
Route 2 Safety Improvements
Stone retaining walls built with rock excavated from the site are a focal point of the relocated Route 2 at the Erving Papermill.
Project Overview
Since the formation of the Route 2 Task Force in 1994, the FRCOG has been working together with the communities along the Route 2 corridor from Philipston to Greenfield to create a safer roadway. Since that time, significant work has been completed to implement the recommendations for Route 2 Safety Improvements. Numerous upgrades such as the installation of shoulder rumble strips, new signs and lines, tree clearing for improved visibility, the installation of variable message signs, and the installation of centerline stanchions in Athol/Phillipston have been completed. The most significant improvement to date, the relocation of Route 2 at the Erving Papermill, opened to traffic in November, 2006. Costing approximately $8 million, the project removed a dangerous "S" curve from the public roadway, and opened up expansion opportunities for the Papermill. During 2007, the construction of climbing lane and intersection improvements, a truck weigh station, and innovative centerline treatments called "Qwick Kurb" were installed along 13 miles of highway in Philipston and Athol. Construction investment in Route 2 Safety Improvements currently stands at approximately $20 million dollars.
Current Activities
Planning, design, and construction continues in 2008 on a number of additional safety improvement projects. Near the French King Bowling Alley in the section of Erving known as "Ervingside", work continues to reconstruct two bridges and lower the profile of Route 2 between them to improve sight distance. This work will also include the creation of a protected left turn lane at Semb Drive while traveling east on Route 2. This work is expected to be complete in July, 2008. In addition, work will commence in the Spring, 2008, in the surrounding neighborhoods of Ervingside to improve traffic flow, turning movements, merges, and pedestrian safety.
The design of climbing lane and intersection improvements in Orange is near 100% complete, but environmental permitting is expected to continue through the Fall of 2008. This project has an estimated cost of $24 million dollars, and includes the rehabilitation of the Route 122 bridge. Three other bridges are currently under design in Orange under separate contracts. They include the Lake Rohunta Bridge, the West River Street Bridge, and the bridge at the Route 2/202 overpass.
Additional projects under development for Erving Center, the "Farley" section of Erving, and Gill/Greenfield are in various stages of planning and preliminary design.
Future Plans
The Route 2 Task Force continues to meet on a regular basis to assist MassHighway in the development of design plans for improvements to Erving Center, Farley, Gill, and Greenfield. Contact Maureen Mullaney at the FRCOG if you would like to be added to the Route 2 Task Force mailing list.
Links
No links are provided at this time.
This page was last updated on 04/08/2008 .