WESTBOROUGH – A new bridge for Fruit Street and a “rehabilitated” bridge for Flanders Road will be among the first projects to be undertaken by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
During a Zoom meeting on Jan. 25, officials from MassDOT and the department’s project team discussed the first stages of its I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvements Project.
The meeting focused on the 75% Design of the Fruit Street Bridge and the ramps from I-90 eastbound to I-495 southbound, and I-495 southbound to I-90 eastbound.
MassDOT’s Greg Baxter started with an overview of the project, which will be “a complete replacement of the interchange.”
“We’re confident in our ability to complete this project,” he said.
The Fruit Street Bridge will be replaced in two major stages, and will take about 22 months. In addition to the bridge, an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk will be built to connect Huckleberry and Saddle Hill roads. The road will be widened from 28 to 32 feet.
On the Huckleberry Road side of the bridge, there will also be an ADA-compliant ramp and crossing.
There will be some trees removed, mainly along 176 and 213 Saddle Hill Road; MassDOT plans to replace those trees.
During construction of the bridge, Fruit Street will remain two-way, but with one lane open; traffic will alternate with a temporary traffic signal. There will be no pedestrian and bicyclist access once construction is underway.
Preliminary work on the bridge has begun, including the installation of advanced warning signs.
The bridge at Flanders Road over I-495 will be “rehabilitated” – the base will remain, and a new bridge will be built on top of it.
The project is expected to take about five years.
During this part of the project, MassDOT plans short-term lane closures to support bridge and utility work.
MassDOT plans more meetings on the project. For updates, visit www.mass.gov/i-495i-90-interchange-improvements.
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