MassDOT To Study Marlborough Interchange
PHOTO/BRANDON BUTLER
State Transportation Sec. Jeffrey Mullan, left, speaks about possible improvements to the Interstate 290 and 495 intersection Tuesday morning in Westborough with U.S. Rep. James McGovern looking on.
State transportation officials said Tuesday they will hire a consultant to study the need for improvements to the intersection of Interstates 290 and 495 in Marlborough, but the officials said placing the project back on a priority list for construction may not happen until at least 2011.
Officials with the Massachusetts Highway Department and state Department of Transportation, including Secretary Jeffrey Mullan, met in Westborough this morning with U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, local elected officials and members of the 495/MetroWest Partnership to discuss the importance of the project.
The Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization removed the project from its 20-year regional transportation plan earlier this year, meaning that the project no longer qualifies for federal funds. However, legislative leaders and McGovern said the project is a priority for the region and should be placed back on the planning list.
"If there's going to be an economic resurgence, and we believe there will be, this area will be key," McGovern said. "But quite frankly, we need to address some of these transportation issues now. We want to make sure we're not left behind."
The project is estimated to cost about $100 million, and David Mohler, executive director of MassDOT Planning said the Boston MPO is not scheduled to update the 20-year plan until 2011. For the list to be updated earlier, proponents would have to identify a funding source for the project, or MPO officials would have to remove another project from the list.
Despite the project not being on the RTP list, state officials said they will continue with plans to study the most feasible and cost-effective improvements.
"We're going to keep the ball rolling," said Mullan after the meeting.
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