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June 20, 2006 - Recently, Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) sent a letter to the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission commenting on the “Route 146 Futures Study Report” dated May 2006.
In a letter addressed to the Transportation manager, Senator Moore mentioned that he is offering his comments relative to the reconstruction of the Millbury/Sutton Route 146 Corridor as one of the leaders of the effort to rebuild 146 as a four-lane highway and the Mass Turnpike/Route 146-290 connector project and as a regular commuter using the road to the Turnpike for his daily commute to Boston.
“I believe that we must be bold! I strongly recommend the adoption of ALTERNATIVE D to upgrade the entire Route146 highway layout between Route 122A in Millbury and Central Turnpike in Sutton to include a wider median, provisions for future expansion to three lanes in each direction, and provision for bidirectional frontage roads on the east and west sides of the highway located the most advantageous position for future development.”
The veteran lawmaker recognized that while the proposal is identified as “likely the most expensive,” he believes that it will save money that will otherwise have to be spent, with even greater disruption of the built environment as the traffic volume on the road increases in the next twenty years. The senator also believes that this option will produce the best opportunity of growth of the local tax base and job creation.
“Boston Road is already a serious traffic jam at rush hours,” Moore explained. “A new interchange to eliminate the signalization is needed. The Millbury interchange is dangerous and antiquated. There needs to be longer acceleration/deceleration lanes at the Main Street, Millbury interchange. It is increasingly unsafe to allow any direct access to the highway for commercial or residential traffic.”
According to the senator, the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley and the Massachusetts Turnpike connection have already generated a substantial increase in traffic on Route 146. When the highway is completed to I-290 in another year or so, a major increase in traffic can be expected. The Blackstone Valley is expected to continue to grow in population and traffic between Worcester and Providence will, undoubtedly, expand. Moore also stated that to take no action (Alternative A) is clearly NOT and option.
“Taking one of the least expensive and least disruptive alternatives will only delay the inevitable making the cost of correcting the problem in the future more expensive and more disruptive to local residents and businesses,” said Moore. “I believe our goal should be to upgrade Route 146 to Interstate status in cooperation with our Rhode Island neighbors. A north-south interstate connecting New England’s second and third largest cities would significantly enhance economic development along the corridor as the third side of a “golden triangle” connecting Worcester and Providence with Boston.”
“In 1982, when a meeting was held in Worcester with Governor Edward J. King, area legislators, and transportation officials, there was considerable resistance to the project of connecting Route 146 to the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-290 to create a gateway to both Worcester and the Blackstone Valley,” Senator Moore continued to write in the letter. “Cost and environmental concerns were raised then, as well. However, we decided to move ahead, and I think most people would agree that the decision was correct. I believe that the most comprehensive solution (Alternative D, or even E) is the most appropriate choice for the future of Central Massachusetts,” Moore explained.
To learn more about Senator Moore’s legislation and his work in the Massachusetts Senate, log onto his web site at www.senatormoore.com. For copies of the Route 146 study visit the following link www.cmrpc.org/Transportation/Rte146Futures.htm
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