New timeline proposed for interchange project

The Canton Interchange Project, a major reconfiguration of the Interstate-95/Interstate-93 interchange, along with the addition of travel lanes on I-95 and associated roadway improvements on Dedham Street, could be completed years ahead of schedule pending the approval of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) at a hearing later this month.

Courtesy of Boston MPO (Click to enlarge)

The multi-phase, $238 million project was originally targeted for completion between fiscal years 2021 and 2025. However, a proposed amendment to the MPO’s long-range transportation plan (LRTP) would move the project forward so that construction could occur between fiscal years 2014 and 2020.

The change in the LRTP, which defines a 20-year vision for transportation improvements in the region, also necessitates a revision of the MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which documents projects that will be implemented over the next four years.

Portions of the interchange project, according to the amended documents, would be constructed in fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016, with all phases completed by 2020.

The first phase of the project would include reconstruction of the I-95 southbound/Blue Hill Drive off-ramp and the University Avenue/Canton Street intersection in Westwood.

The second phase would focus on Dedham Street in Canton, including the construction of an off-ramp from I-95 northbound; widening of the street from two to four lanes between Kirby Drive and a point just west of the Neponset River, with a sidewalk constructed on the westbound side; widening of the bridges over Amtrak and the Neponset River and replacement of the bridge over I-95; and the installation of signals at four intersections.

The third and largest phase of the project would focus on the interchange itself, including reconfiguration of the existing I-95 north loop ramp with a two-lane, direct-connect flyover ramp; a realigned and improved high-speed, two-lane direct connection between I-93 south and I-95 south; a new exit ramp from I-93 south to University Avenue; a new entrance ramp from University Avenue to I-93 north, including the discontinued use of Green Lodge Street west of Elm Street; and removal of the abandoned I-95 stub area located north of the interchange and restoration of the area as parkland.

The project has also expanded to include the addition of travel lanes on I-95 — a two-mile section of I-95 south from Route 128 to Neponset Street will be widened to four lanes and a one-mile section of I-95 north from Dedham Street to Route 128 will also be widened to four lanes.

The entire 37 acres encompassed by the project, according to MPO documents, is located within the Fowl Meadow/Ponkapoag Bog Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and much of the land surrounding the interchange is permanently protected. However, the project as proposed will actually decrease roadways and other paved areas by 1.7 acres.

The project is also expected to reduce congestion and travel times and improve safety in the area of the interchange, which suffers from chronic congestion and weaving problems and is currently ranked number 35 on the MPO’s list of high-crash intersections and interchanges.

The MPO further anticipates that the project will enhance the attractiveness of rail and shuttle-bus service from the Route 128 station and will “facilitate greater recreational use of the Blue Hill Reservation trail system that runs through the area.”

The public review period for both amended MPO documents began on Monday, June 24, and will end at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23. The MPO is planning to take action on these documents at a public meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 25, at 10 a.m. in conference rooms 2 and 3 of the State Transportation Building, located at 10 Park Plaza in Boston. Written comments can be mailed to Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116-3968, or sent via email to ctps@ctps.org before the close of the public review period. Written and spoken comments will also be accepted at the meeting.

The MPO will also hold a public workshop regarding the proposed changes on Tuesday, July 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Norwood Police Station, located at 137 Nahatan Street.

For more information, including copies of the proposed amendments, go to www.bostonmpo.org. Copies may also be obtained in a variety of formats, free of charge, by contacting the MPO staff at 617-973-7100 or publicinformation@ctps.org.

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Posted by Jay Turner on Jul 12 2013. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.