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The Road to Better Transportation Projects Massachusetts, Route 146: Revitalizing an Urban Parkway Corridor Blackstone River — one of the local treasured places. Route 146 runs through an area of central Massachusetts that is rich with American history, industrial development, and growing communities. The $290 million transportation project to transform Route 146 will expand four miles of a two-lane unlimited access road into a four-lane divided parkway and includes modifications to major interchanges and bridges. Public input, required under NEPA, transformed the final project so that it fulfills its immediate economic mission — to improve travel by businesses and residents — and preserves unique physical and historic characteristics of the corridor. NEPA regulations state that transportation departments must encourage and facilitate public involvement in decision-making. To help fulfill this requirement, the Massachusetts Highway Department established a Citizens Advisory Committee comprised of local business owners, residents, political leaders, environmental groups, and representatives from federal and state agencies. After meetings were conducted with the stakeholders, a design was selected. This design links towns to the highway and to the history of the Blackstone River while enhancing natural and historic resources. For example, project features include construction of a bike path through the corridor, building preservation, historic bridge restoration, storm water and wetlands mitigation, and wildlife passages. George Batchelor of the Massachusetts Highway Department said the Citizens Advisory Committee was "a meeting of the minds" that ensured that "what was done was done properly." Without the input of citizen groups, the road design would not have addressed the region's historic and environmental resources. Worcester City Councilor Barbara Haller compares Route 146 to the controversial I-290 p roject in Massachusetts. She said, "[Route 146] is a much better project. It will not disrupt the neighborhood traffic like I-290 did. That was a testament of the late '50s and '60s, of putting a line on the map and saying, 'Build a road here,' instead of mitigating the disruptions to the neighborhood." Route 146 marks a change in practice from hacking highways through communities and natural areas to one where public input and environmental protection are primary goals. "This project was really outside the box for Mass. Highway," said Stephen Bishop, executive d i rector of the Blackstone Valley Northern Gateway Project. "It's not just for moving a vehicle from Point A to Point B. They looked at this highway project as a way to connect to the community. Route 146 was looked at as an opportunity to revitalize Quinsigamond Village." Local leaders hope Route 146 will become a renowned historic parkway that will attract tourism. Environmental review procedures have ensured that the natural and human history of the region will be highlighted, rather than swept away, by the Route 146 project. Photo courtesy Massachusett Highway Department; used with permission. Up to Top | Printer-friendly version of this page