By Erin Tiernan — Erin@theconcordbridge.org
Concordians now have more proof that the Route 2 rotary is not only a traffic-generating nightmare for drivers, but by far the most dangerous intersection along the artery, with an average of 51 crashes per year.
There were 360 crashes — causing at least 61 injuries and two involving cyclists or pedestrians — at the Concord rotary between 2013 and 2019, according to a new study of the corridor out Wednesday.
The runner-up was North Main Street in Fitchburg, where the eastbound on and off ramps saw 213 crashes during that same period.
The rotary is one of several problem intersections on Route 2 that state transportation officials flagged for redesign. This might benefit the thousands of MetroWest commuters who rely on the road to get to and from Boston daily.
Of the ten areas with the most collisions, four were in Concord. Only one intersection of the 34 included in the study, recorded a fatality during that period. That was in Leominster.
One fix to the infamous rotary includes recommendations for using one or more road bridges to separate traffic flow. Officials estimate that would cost more than $100 million and cause major traffic tie-ups during construction.
Importantly, MassDOT conducted the study before news broke that the state would be shutting down MCI-Concord.
“I commend MassDOT for training its efforts on Route 2 even before the prison closure announcement,” state Rep. Simon Cataldo (D-Concord) told The Concord Bridge. “Now that the prison is closing, my conversations with MassDOT have focused on the expanded opportunities for solutions at the Concord rotary.”
A public comment period on the study runs through July 25. People can submit comments through the online portal at pima.massdotpi.com.
The Concord rotary is one of nine study locations in town. The corridor-wide study analyzed roads from 19 separate areas and intersections along Route 2 and identified three “significant bottlenecks.”
Of those bottlenecks, two are in Concord: The rotary and Tracey’s Corner at Bedford Road. The third is the I-190 Interchange in Leominster.
The 220-page study commissioned by the state Department of Transportation said the goal is to make Route 2 safer and less congested with redesigns that disrupt neighboring communities and wildlife as little as possible.
The study, which is considered a “conceptual” planning document by officials, goes so far as to include recommendations that it deems “feasible and meet MassDOT criteria,” the documents state.
Route 2 traffic seem worse to you? It is
Observations of current Route 2 trends show a roadway with increasing congestion, which officials say requires both short-term and long-term roadway interventions.
Counts along the roadway between the Concord rotary and Route 140 in Westminster show a nearly four percent per year growth in traffic over the last five years.
Traffic data tallied just over 42,000 cars in 2011; that had increased to 50,872 by 2016.
Congestion is growing east of the rotary, too — but at a slower rate, or just over one percent per year over the past eight years. In 2011, officials counted 43,434 cars and 47,823 in 2019.
The study started in 2019 and relies on pre-pandemic data and conditions. Analysts acknowledged in the introduction to the study that pandemic obstacles “limited” collaboration with communities and other stakeholders when planning redesign proposals.
Traffic experts in the final study sought to emphasize short-term road fixes over costlier long-term projects — like widening Route 2 into a six-lane freeway — that would provide relief but cause major upheaval.
Study authors said that by focusing on short-term projects, commuters will see roadway improvements faster. Recommendations included in the study generally avoid extensive construction, costly right-of-way land taking, and long environmental review processes.
Concord could be in for some major roadway improvements if MassDOT makes good on even some of the recommendations laid out in the study.
But Cataldo said it’s important the state works in tandem with local planners to create a holistic solution that serves Concord for generations going forward — especially as it ponders the redevelopment of the 62-acre MCI-Concord property.
If state lawmakers like Gov. Maura Healey get their way, the parcel will soon host high-density, multi-family housing. Redevelopment is still at least two years away but will affect traffic levels on Route 2 directly beside the Concord rotary.
Cataldo wants the state to engage with local officials and future developers as it envisions Route 2’s redesign. He’d also like to see more room for pedestrians and cyclists.
“It is important to me that Concord residents have a strong voice not only in advocating for traffic reduction but also in ensuring that any construction projects improve connectivity between both sides of Route 2,” he said.
