One of the town’s oldest intersections will be getting a major realignment this spring.
The Washington and Adams Street intersection — long a problem spot for accidents — will be overhauled as part of a state grant.
Abington Public Works Director John Stone said the project will be paid for through a $296,000 Shared Streets and Spaces grant.
“The current intersection has resulted in numerous accidents, driver confusion and at least 1 fatality,” Stone said in an email. “Both the Police and Fire Chiefs are in favor of the changes. The Selectmen were also in favor as well as the affected residents in the area.”
The town’s first settler, Andrew Ford, built his farm in the area back in the 1660s.
Its also part of the town’s main parade route. Both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Veterans Day Parade process through the intersection.
But the current V-shape has made it one of the more dangerous intersections in a town work several of them. Merging off Adams Street onto Washington requires drivers to crane deep over their right shoulder to make sure the coast is clear.
“The redesign in my opinion seems essential for what can be a chaotic intersection that has had its fair share of accidents,” said Jess Wagner, who lives near the intersection.
“It is a popular walking route for many kids whether walking to Beaver Brook or bike riding the the Middle School/High School and [the new design] would provide a safer crossing experience for not only kids but the many walkers/residents walking their dogs than the current set up while hopefully decreasing the number of accidents.”
According to designs, the intersection will be adjusted so that the two roads are more perpendicular, requiring cars driving northbound on Washington Street to take a formal right-hand turn onto Adams Street.
Drivers heading south down Adams Street will come to a stop line facing Shaw Avenue. From there they will be able to either take a right or left onto Washington, or proceed straight across to Shaw.
The northbound lane of Washington Street that curves toward Adams Street will be dug up and turned into green space.
Richard D ’Ambrosia, Inc., submitted the low bid for the work. D’Ambrosia performed the Washington Street sidewalk improvement project in 2023.
An official start date has not been set, according to Stone.
The Washington/Adams Streets intersection project is one of three major intersection reconstructions that will happen over the next 18 months.
The Hancock/Chestnut Streets roundabout project is scheduled to go out to bid this month, with work starting this summer. The $9.8 million project is being paid for by the state.
The Chestnut/Randolph/Old Randolph Street intersection is scheduled for next year. That $4.2 million project will also be funded by the state.
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