WESTBOROUGH – The first stages to reconstruct the Massachusetts Turnpike and Route 495 interchange are underway.
According to the state’s Department of Transportation (MassDOT), crews are currently placing temporary construction barriers in the shoulder of Route 495 and the Turnpike in preparation for construction. The work will take place overnight Monday through Friday, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., through Dec. 19.
Once the barriers are installed, the total number of travel lanes on either highway will remain the same. All ramps within the interchange will be open at all times.
Construction will be weather dependent and subject to change without notice.
MassDOT officials have said that this is the largest project in the department’s history. The project, which will take about five years and cost $400 million, will include a complete replacement of the interchange. The old toll booth area will be eliminated.
The interchange is close to several wetlands, including the Sudbury River and Whitehall Brook. To reduce the environmental impact, plans call for the installation of several ramps to and from the interchange.
During most of the project, there will be three lanes open for traffic on both Route 495 and the Pike. The exception – when overnight projects require a lane restriction.
MassDOT will also implement a noise control program during construction.
On the Mass. Pike portion of the interchange, there will be minor widening to accommodate new ramps and provide consistent shoulder width. The bridge over the MBTA/CSX/Amtrak track will be replaced as will the culvert at Whitehall Brook. Crews will also relocate the fiber optic cables in the median and eastbound shoulder.
As for Route 495, MassDOT plans to add a fourth lane on Route 495 north to Route 9. A future I-495 northbound will be constructed within the existing median, and a future I-495 southbound will be in its existing location with minor widening. MassDOT also plans to replace the Route 495 bridges over the tracks and the Mass. Pike. Additionally, they intend to replace the bridge over Flanders Road.
MassDOT also plans to replace the Fruit Street bridge.
Public information meetings will take place prior to the start of major construction activities and impacts.
For information and updates, visit https://www.mass.gov/i-495i-90-interchange-improvements; via Facebook at @massdotinfo; and Twitter via @MassDOT.
