“Oh, when, oh, when, will someone fix this dangerous 139/Chestnut Street intersection?”
This has been a regular refrain on town social media groups for years as accident numbers have piled up.
Residents have a chance to weigh in on a proposed redesign of the intersection this Wednesday during a virtual meeting held by MassDOT.
The meeting will take place at 6 p.m., via Zoom. Residents interested in taking part can register here.
According to MassDOT, the state is proposing to install a traffic signal at the intersection, with 11-foot travel lanes and dedicated 10-foot turn lanes on Route 139. The intersection should also be rebuilt with 5-foot wide bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings.
The total project is expected to cost just under $3.8 million with the state paying the full price tag. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
The intersection features unusually wide, non-perpendicular turning angles and partially hidden sight lines, which contributes to the high number of serious accidents in the area. Part of the project may include squaring off some of the intersections.