kelley square improvement project - massachusetts

Kelley Square Improvement Project WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

November 2020 Newsletter ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Construction for the Kelley Square Improvement Project has been The $14.7 million project addresses the safety and operational underway since October 2019. Since the release of the second quarterly challenges facing pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists, while also newsletter in June 2020, the project has accomplished nearly all of its supporting the local businesses and residents who call Kelley Square remaining construction activities, despite circumstances brought on home. Kelley Square has been reconstructed as a hybrid roundabout by COVID-19. As of October 2020, the project is nearly complete, and improvements have been made to adjoining streets. New, and by spring 2021, finishing touches will be made on Madison Street safe, modern facilities for all modes of travel have been installed near the entrance of the future Polar Park. throughout the project.

MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE:

1) Reconstruction Kelley Square as a hybrid roundabout 4) Harding Street: 2) Madison Street: • Improving landscaping and street lighting along the road

• Adding parking to the road’s north side • Constructing a shared use path • Improving landscaping and street lighting along the road • Constructing a bicycle lane leading into Kelley Square • Constructing a shared use path • New roundabout at Arwick Avenue/ Millbury Street/ Harding

3) Green Street: Street • Improving landscaping and street lighting along the road 5) Reversing the direction of Millbury Street and Harding Street • Constructing a shared use path to work with the roundabout in Kelley Square

Kelley Square

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For more information, please contact: [email protected] Project Website: https://www.mass.gov/worcester-kelley-square-improvement-project

http://[email protected]

https://www.mass.gov/worcester-kelley-square-improvement-project


PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS

ARWICK AVENUE MINI ROUNDABOUT

The project kicked off in fall 2019 with initial work to transform the intersection of Arwick Avenue, Harding Street, and Millbury Street into a mini roundabout. Once construction of curbs and lane striping were completed in July, the new mini roundabout became fully operational.

Since its implementation, southbound traffic travels down Millbury Street, enters the roundabout, and continues towards the intersection of Cambridge Street and Quinsigamond Avenue. Northbound traffic enters the mini roundabout, exits onto Arwick Avenue, and travels up Harding Street towards Kelley Square. The section of Millbury Street between the mini-roundabout and the Quinsigamond Avenue intersection remains two-way.

These changes were made first to enable the flow of traffic up and down the newly reversed roads and through the new hybrid roundabout in Kelley Square.

KELLEY SQUARE

The Kelley Square roundabout was first implemented with traffic barrels in May 2020 while construction for the permanent roundabout was ongoing. If you drive, take the bus, walk, or bike to Kelley Square today you’ll see all vehicles bearing right as they enter a peanut-shaped roundabout. Using one of two travel lanes, vehicles travel around the Peanut to get to their exit.

Over the summer and fall, the project built the permanent roundabout: curbs and mountable truck aprons; pedestrian infrastructure including texturized crosswalks, ramps, and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs); all signage and markings; lighting for pedestrians and drivers; and beautification efforts including landscaping and benches.

Arwick Avenue Roundabout Inside the Peanut


http://[email protected]

https://www.mass.gov/worcester-kelley-square-improvement-project


PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST IMPROVEMENTS

A new 10-foot wide shared use path with a four-foot zone for cyclists and a six-foot zone for pedestrians runs throughout the project. The path, indicated by ground markings, extends from the end of Vernon Street, runs along Madison Street, and ends at the railroad overpass at Gold Street. The Kelley Square Improvement Project is the first to use this type of marking in Massachusetts.

Existing bicycle lanes on Millbury Street, Water Street, Green Street, and Harding Street north were restriped and connected through Kelley Square to improve the connectivity of the Blackstone River Bikeway which stretches from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI. On Harding Street north, the project added a sidewalk-level separated bicycle lane that flows against traffic. Cyclists are distanced from parked cars by the curb and brick buffer zone, allowing a safe connection within this tight space.

Sidewalks along Madison Street have been widened to 10 feet. Crosswalks throughout the project area have been overlayed with decorative brick. Wheelchair ramps have been updated and are ADA compliant.

Shared Use Path Symbol

Protected Bike Lane on Harding Street

Madison Street Sidewalk


Kelley Square Improvement ProjectWORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

Kelley Square Improvement Project

BEAUTIFICATION

MONUMENTS

The monument commemorating Sgt. Cornelius F. Kelley was temporarily removed during construction to keep it safe from construction activity and heavy equipment. It has now been reinstalled at the corner of Vernon Street and Harding Street south.

Two granite pavers were installed inside the Peanut outlining the locations of the Blackstone Canal and Lock 48. The Canal was completed in 1828 and was used as a trade route connecting Worcester to Providence, RI. It was closed in 1848 following the completion of the Providence and Worcester Railroad in 1835. Lock 48 marks the canal’s 48th out of 49 locks which were used to raise and lower boats between the canal’s different water levels.

Blackstone Canal Paver

Kelley Square Monument

HISTORY

The Historic Blackstone Canal informational sign was moved inside the Peanut from its previous location at the corner of Madison Street and Harding Street south.

Blackstone Canal Historical Signage




LIGHTING

The area received new lighting fixtures. Light poles around Kelley Square and Madison Street include roadway and sidewalk-level lights making it brighter than before and increasing visibility and safety for pedestrian, bicyclists, and vehicles.

New Lighting

SEATING

New iron benches and granite blocks have been installed around the project adding resting areas for people visiting and walking through.

Bench

Granite Seat

Landscaping

LANDSCAPING

The area has been landscaped with hardy, indigenous grasses and trees. At the request of Green Island neighborhood residents, the Christmas tree has returned to Kelley Square. It is now located inside the Peanut.




FINISHING TOUCHES

The Kelley Square Improvement Project has been coordinating its work with the Polar Park project and ongoing private developments on Madison Street. With the majority of construction complete in Kelley Square and key ballpark façade work still underway, MassDOT decided, in consultation with the City of Worcester, to postpone finishing touches on the north side of Madison Street so that the City could finish their work without damaging or needing to replace new sidewalks installed by MassDOT. Work associated with the City and private developments will continue per their respective schedules.

STAY INFORMED

The Kelley Square Improvement Project will wrap up work for the season in mid to late November. The contractor will return in spring 2021 to complete final concrete work on Madison Street before the ballpark’s opening day. Due to the low level of work expected in the spring, the project hotline will be permanently disconnected in November 2020.

The project will continue to maintain access to all local businesses. As the Commonwealth’s economy reopens, please continue to visit your favorite shops and restaurants as they restart their operations.

For more information, please visit the project website mass.gov/worcester-kelley-square-improvement-project. You can also sign up with your email to receive weekly construction look-ahead’s and additional information.

To ask questions and share comments regarding the project, send an email to [email protected].

Polar Park Facade

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http://mass.gov/worcester-kelley-square-improvement-project

mailto:kelleysqproj.worcester%40dot.state.ma.us?subject=The%20Kelley%20Square%20Improvement%20Project

kelley square improvement project - massachusetts

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