First Look: Roundabouts Planned For Worcester's May, Chandler Streets

Worcester MA

18 June, 2022

4:30 PM

Description

WORCESTER, MA — MassDOT held a public meeting on Wednesday to get feedback of early plans to make major alterations to the intersection of May and Chandler streets by adding two roundabouts. The plans released by MassDOT this week are only 25 percent complete. Between now and when construction starts — planned for spring 2025 — the state will make alterations based on input from residents and the city. According to the plans, roundabouts would be built at the north and south ends of the intersection, with a two-lane road connecting them. Roundabouts are smaller versions of rotaries and meant to slow down traffic. The ring outside Union Station is a rotary designed to keep vehicles at higher speeds, for example. The new May-Chandler intersection would also get non-motorized upgrades. MassDOT would build a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists around the outside of the entire length of the intersection. At this point, the intersection does not have a separate bike lane, with MassDOT opting for on-street parking instead. The project will cost about $5.4 million, which will come from the federal government. You can view a full set of plans and other documents on the city's website.