Lancaster receives federal funding to improve two major intersections

By: David Dore

LANCASTER — The town will receive nearly $4.8 million in federal funding to improve two major intersections including one near a pair of schools, according to officials.

The $4,758,794 investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will bring upgrades to the town’s two junctions of Route 117 and Route 70, at Lunenburg Road (Route 70 North) and Main Street (Route 70 South).

Both intersections experience backups during the morning and afternoon commutes. In addition, Mary Rowlandson Elementary School and Luther Burbank Middle School are located at the junction of Route 117 and Main Street.

Crash data for the intersections was not immediately available.

Information on the Town of Lancaster website stated the project will include safety and traffic improvements along more than ½ mile of Main Street/Seven Bridge Road (Route 117), 390 feet of Lunenburg Road (Route 70 North) and 275 feet of Main Street (Route 70 South). There will also be paving along around 50 feet of Shirley Road and minor realignments of Otis Street and Buttonwood Lane at Route 117.

The proposed improvements include 5½-foot sidewalks, an 8-foot concrete shared use path along the south side of Route 117 from the intersection at Lunenburg Road to the Mary Rowlandson School driveway, 4-foot bicycle-friendly shoulders on both sides of Route 117, new traffic signals at both intersections (to replace a blinking light at Main Street and a stop sign at Lunenburg Road), new signs and pavement markings, wider lanes to help with traffic flow and make pedestrian crossings safer, a new drainage trunkline and a pedestrian island. The project also will include freshly paved roads, sidewalks and curbs.

A.F. Amorello and Sons came in with the low bid of around $4.86 million. The project is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving 2023, with the new traffic signals turned on in the summer of 2023.

According to an announcement from Congresswoman Lori Trahan, the federal funding is covering 98% of the cost.

“As a working mom of two young girls, I know the difference that a safer and shorter commute makes in the lives of parents. This investment will help out Mary Rowlandson and Luther Burbank families and all of the pedestrians, bikers, and drivers in Lancaster who share the road,” Trahan said. “It’s terrific to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law making projects like these come to life in the Third District to benefit hardworking families.”

“This project is another example of the outstanding partnership between our federal, state and municipal leaders in the region,” said State Sen. John Cronin (D-Lunenburg). “I’m thankful to Congresswoman Trahan not only for her advocacy and ability to secure funds for North Central, but for her efforts to consolidate support for this crucial project and ensure that the region has the infrastructure required to thrive and grow.”

“I am grateful for Congresswoman Trahan’s leadership in securing these funds and our ongoing partnership in bettering the quality of life for our shared communities,” said State Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D-Clinton).