Route 140 & Maple Street Intersection Improvements

The Town of Bellingham contracted BETA to improve traffic congestion, traffic operations, roadway conditions, and pedestrian safety at the intersection at Route 140 (Mechanic Street) and Maple Street, which links Bellingham to Interstate 495, the Franklin commuter rail station, and is close to both the downtown and an industrial zone.

This project included extensive coordination with MassDOT as Route 140 is considered an Urban Principal Arterial under MassDOT jurisdiction and is on the National Highway System. The project limits include 900 linear feet along Route 140 and 800 linear feet along Maple Street, of which 400 feet of the easterly section of Route 140 belongs to the town of Franklin.

BETA collected traffic data and crash history, conducted field surveys, and compiled Right-of-Way information. A Highway Access Permit was acquired from MassDOT. Roadway Design included improving intersection geometry, horizontal alignment, vertical curve adjustment to comply with the speed limit, and an upgrade to the entire drainage system. The project also included a new state of the art traffic signal system.

Final intersection plans incorporate the addition of:
– Right Turn Lane on the Route 140 Westbound approach to Maple Street
– Right Turn lane on Maple Street Southbound approach to Route 140
– Left Turn lane on Maple Street and South Maple Street
– Road widening on Route 140 to accommodate west bound-67 truck turning radius from the proposed left turn lane on Maple street onto Route 140

BETA prepared probable construction cost estimates, bid documents, highway layout alteration plans, and provided construction phase services with Resident Representation. This project was funded by a combination of a MassWorks Grant and private mitigation funds and is an example of a successful private/public partnership.