Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) met with Ashby town leaders to discuss the significant safety improvements from the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project, which was completed thanks to $3,301,715.56 in federal funding Trahan secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Since the project’s completion, the town has seen a noticeable decrease in accidents at the intersections.

“When I visited this intersection back in 2021, the need for improvement was clear,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I'm proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivered the federal investment to get this done. Too often, federal dollars flow to larger cities while smaller communities like Ashby get overlooked – that's not acceptable. Every resident in this district deserves safe roads, and this project is proof that when we fight for small towns, we can deliver real results.”

“The Town extends sincere appreciation to Congresswoman Lori Trahan and MassDOT for their collaboration and support in advancing this critical infrastructure project. The intersection of Turnpike Road and Greenville Road experienced numerous traffic accidents over the years, underscoring the need for improved safety measures. The improvements have significantly enhanced traffic flow and are already reducing the risk of collisions, creating a safer environment for our residents, commuters, and emergency responders. This project reflects Ashby's ongoing commitment to improving roadway safety and highlights the importance of strong partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies in addressing community needs,” said Mary Daughraty, Ashby Town Administrator.

The Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection sits at a critical crossroads in Ashby, serving as a key connector for the town's roughly 4,200 residents as they go about their daily lives. For years, the intersection posed real safety concerns for the drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians who rely on it, concerns that Congresswoman Trahan saw firsthand during a site visit in August 2021. Getting this intersection right was a priority not just for the town's highway team, but for residents who depend on these roads to get to work, to school, and to the places that make Ashby home.

The project involved the creation of a four-exit rotary, milling and resurfacing the roadways, and updated pavement markings to ensure the safety of drivers passing through the corridor. Before finalizing the design, engineers conducted a full alternatives analysis to ensure the most effective traffic control method was deployed. The total project cost was $3,340,303, with 90 percent of that, $3,301,715, covered by federal dollars through the Highway Safety Improvement Program, a program that received a significant funding boost as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The remaining 10 percent was covered by the state.

“Partnerships are key to community-building, and this federal-state one is what made the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project a much-needed and successful reality,” said State Representative Margaret Scarsdale. “Congresswoman Trahan is a fierce advocate for Ashby, and we appreciate her leadership.”

Shortly after visiting the Ashby intersection in 2021, Trahan helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, paving the way for more than $9.5 billion in federal investments to upgrade the Commonwealth’s infrastructure, including the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project.

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