DLTA FY 2009
Technical Assistance Request
Project Concept
Route 140 Safety Improvement Task Force
In September of 2008 the Towns of Princeton, Sterling and Westminster formed a Route 140 Safety Improvement Task Force (see attached membership list). The task force has met twice and will meet next on January 8, 2009 in Sterling. The task force membership includes one selectman, one DPW representative, one resident who lives on Route 140 and one citizen-at-large from each community. A truly inclusive committee with staff representation from Mass Highway and two regional planning agencies, CMRPC & MRPC bridging the three communities.
Route 140 has become a major north-south commuter route, while Mt. Wachusett attracts close to 1 million visitors a year. Many heavily laden truck travel Route 140 daily to the second largest land fill in the state and wood burning power plant. The Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization has identified route 140 as a vital link.
Before design and construction can begin, the task force desires to undertake a Corridor Profile. Technical assistance from both planning agencies utilizing resources from DLTA funding to complete this profile will enhance the task force ability to move forward to the design phase and ultimately construction for Route 140. The benefits to the three communities of a completed and safe Route 140 are enormous.
This regional cooperative partnership will dramatically improve driver safety along Route 140 and enhance pedestrian safety. Combining our efforts, competition for design and construction should improve while a lower bid for this project will occur.
Princeton will simultaneously appoint an East Princeton Village District Committee to develop a vision for the village residents and businesses. That vision will assist the planning board in the development of appropriate zoning bylaws for the village area.
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