ORANGE — The state Department of Transportation held a virtual informational meeting last week to help get the public acquainted with the idea of bicycle and pedestrian improvements being planned for Orange.
Data from an October audit identified the roughly 1-mile stretch of Route 2A (East Main Street) from Whitney Street to New Athol Road as having high cyclist and pedestrian risk, and MassDOT is proposing improved pedestrian infrastructure and the addition of bicycle accommodations. The project aims to close gaps in the sidewalk network.
Andrew Valcovic, a highway engineer with CHA Consulting, said during Thursday’s presentation that the sidewalks in question are in poor condition and consist of vegetation that “can make it difficult for pedestrians to travel.”
The proposed project aims to provide additional crossing locations, reduce vehicle speeds throughout the corridor, improve intersection configuration and geometry, and collaborate with the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA). The project would add four pedestrian crossings, with Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps. Intersection improvements focus on the intersection of East Main Street and New Athol Road, and the two Walmart driveway intersections.
Laurie Scarbrough, a senior transportation planning engineer with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG), said after the virtual presentation that she looks forward to supporting this project, which has an estimated total contract cost of $7.94 million on MassDOT’s online project tracking portal.
According to MassDOT, the project is in the preliminary design phase. A design public hearing is expected to be held in the summer of 2026, and the final design and advertisement is tentatively due in the winter of 2027.
Comments can be emailed to massdotprojectmanagement@dot.state.ma.us, with the subject line: MassDOT Project File No. 613310 – Orange.”
For more project information, visit tinyurl.com/OrangeMassDOTImprovements. Written comments can be submitted to Carrie Lavallee, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Project Management, Project File No. 613310.
