Mass Route 146 question

[ShawnP]

Has Route 146 been upgraded around Milbury and Sutton yet?

[Alps]

Apparently not.

[ShawnP]

Surprised not as it isn't a hard upgrade to do. I think it will eventually happen and then if Rhode Island would make a connection further down. Boom Interstate between Worcester and Providence.

[Truvelo]

Is this the section being discussed?

I drove along it a few years ago and many of the interchanges look new. The lighting however appears to have been modeled on something a lot older

[iwishiwascanadian]

The lighting seems out of place, it is quite nice though.  I'm glad that Massachusetts is deciding to pave their roads properly, a few years ago it was hell on the suspension. 

[Alps]

Truvelo - it's somewhat south of the new freeway in Worcester.

Shawn - If RI were going to fix 146, it would have done so decades ago.  I can only wish that they would somehow squeeze six lanes in by the signals.

[ShawnP]

RI does nothing quickly with many politicians hands out. I was stationed there from 92-95 and saw the state of corrupution up close.

[SidS1045]

Surprised not as it isn't a hard upgrade to do. I think it will eventually happen and then if Rhode Island would make a connection further down. Boom Interstate between Worcester and Providence.

Not hard?  Think again.  There are dozens of businesses (including a shopping mall) along that stretch with access directly to and from 146.  Upgrading to Interstate standards would wipe them all out, and given that the state would be effectively putting them out of business they would be entitled to substantial compensation and/or assistance in relocating.  The upgrade to the part of 146 north of the Turnpike into Brosnihan Square in Worcester displaced very few homes and businesses, but south of the Turnpike it's an entirely different story.  Condemnation costs alone would make it a non-starter.

[Truvelo]

To me it doesn't matter if a road is upgraded to Interstate standards. It's things like traffic lights and roundabouts that I hate which causes thru traffic to stop start. So long as there's no gaps in the median and all turning movements are to the right then I would be happy.

Between Worcester and Providence there are just two at-grade intersections with breaks in the median, both of which are traffic lights. The first is near Sutton, Ma at Boston Road. This is an easy fix. Boston Road can be taken above or below 146 on a bridge. Marble Road would need widening and making two way which will become the southbound ramp. The northbound ramp would be Pleasant Valley Road. The other set of traffic lights is to the north of I-295 at Sayles Hill Road. Once again a bridge is needed. The southbound ramp is the access road behind the Sunoco gas station. The northbound ramp would be built on the northeast corner in the forest.

This is all that needs doing to enable uninterrupted travel between Worcester and Providence.

[ShawnP]

It's Sutton and Milbury Mass. not much there anyways after all.