route 31 corridor profile
TRANSCRIPT
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CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
(CMMPO)
Holden - Paxton - Spencer Route 31 Corridor Profile
Prepared by the transportation staff of the
September 2014 Prepared in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. The views and opinions of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation or the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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TableofContents1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................1
1.1 TransportationManagementSystemsIntegration:CorridorProfile..................11.2 PreviousCorridorProfileEfforts.............................................................................21.3 Route31CorridorProfile:Holden,Paxton,andSpencer......................................21.4 CorridorProfileWorkActivitiesDefinedinUPWP.................................................51.5 TechnicalAdvisoryGroupfortheRoute31CorridorProfile..................................61.6 HostCommunityObservations...............................................................................81.7 TownofHolden.......................................................................................................81.8 TownofPaxton.....................................................................................................111.9 TownofSpencer...................................................................................................13
2.0 ROUTE31ENVIRONS........................................................................................................19
2.1 HostCommunityLandUse...................................................................................192.2 NaturalEnvironment............................................................................................25
3.0 CONGESTIONMANAGEMENTPROCESS(CMP)...............................................................34
3.1 OverviewoftheCentralMassachusettsCMP......................................................343.2 DailyTrafficVolumes............................................................................................343.3 Route31TravelTimeandDelayStudies..............................................................393.4 Route31IntersectionsExistingPeakHourTrafficVolumes.................................483.5 PercentageofHeavyVehiclesUtilizingRoute31FocusIntersections.................553.6 Route31IntersectionsProjected2023PeakHourTrafficVolumes....................573.7 Route31IntersectionPeakHourLevelofService(LOS)Analyses.......................66
4.0 SAFETYMANAGEMENTSYSTEM(SMS)...........................................................................68
4.1 TownofHoldenCrashAnalysis.............................................................................704.2 TownofPaxtonCrashAnalysis.............................................................................754.3 TownofSpencerCrashAnalysis...........................................................................814.4 TownofSpencerAdditionalStudySegment:MeadowRoad..............................88
5.0 PAVEMENTMANAGEMENTSYSTEM(PMS)....................................................................92
5.1 PavementManagementConcepts.......................................................................925.2 TownofHoldenOverallConditionIndex(OCI)....................................................955.3 TownofPaxtonOverallConditionIndex(OCI).....................................................965.4 TownofSpencerOverallConditionIndex(OCI)...................................................96
6.0 BRIDGES&MAJORDRAINAGESTRUCTURES..................................................................98
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6.1 StatewideBridgeManagementSystem(BMS).....................................................986.2 Route31CorridorProfileBridges.........................................................................986.3 TownofHolden.....................................................................................................996.4 TownofSpencer................................................................................................1006.5 MajorDrainageStructures.................................................................................101
7.0 PUBLICTRANSPORTATION............................................................................................114
7.1 RegionalandProfileAreaServices....................................................................1147.2 TownofHolden..................................................................................................1167.3 TownofPaxton..................................................................................................1167.4 TownofSpencer................................................................................................116
8.0 ALTERNATIVEMODES...................................................................................................118
8.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................1188.2 GreenDOT..........................................................................................................1188.3 MassDOTHealthyTransportation.....................................................................1188.4 HealthyTransportationPolicyDirective............................................................1198.5 CommunityHealthImprovementPlan(CHIP)...................................................1198.6 CompleteStreets...............................................................................................1208.7 BicyclingintheCorridor.....................................................................................1208.8 PedestrianFacilitiesandActivityintheCorridor..............................................1208.9 RegionalTrailsintheCorridor...........................................................................121
9.0 OVERALLCORRIDORPROFILEFINDINGS......................................................................123
9.1 Route31Intersections.......................................................................................1239.2 Route31RoadwaySegments............................................................................128
10.0 SUGGESTEDIMPROVEMENTOPTIONS.........................................................................133
10.1 CorridorWide....................................................................................................13310.2 TownofHolden..................................................................................................13710.3 TownofPaxxton................................................................................................14010.4 TownofSpencer................................................................................................144
11.0 HOSTCOMMUNITYPROJECTPRIORITIZATION&PRELIMINARYCOSTESTIMATES...149
11.1 TownofHolden..................................................................................................14911.2 TownofPaxton..................................................................................................15111.3 TownofSpencer................................................................................................15211.4 PotentialFundingSources.................................................................................154
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ListofFigures
Figure1 PreviousStudies.......................................................................................................3Figure2 HostCommunitiesofHolden,Paxton,andSpencer...............................................4Figure3 TownofHolden:IdentifiedCorridorDeficiencies................................................16Figure4 TownofPaxton:IdentifiedCorridorDeficiencies.................................................17Figure5 TownofSpencer:IdentifiedCorridorDeficiencies...............................................18Figure6 TownofHolden:MajorEmployers,TruckingGeneratorsandOther SignificantLandUses.............................................................................................22Figure7 TownofPaxton:MajorEmployers,TruckingGeneratorsandOther SignificantLandUses.............................................................................................23Figure8 TownofSpencer:MajorEmployers,TruckingGeneratorsandOther SignificantLandUses.............................................................................................24Figure9 WatershedsandImpairedWaterways..................................................................26Figure10 TownofHolden:EnvironmentalProfile...............................................................29Figure11 TownofPaxton:EnvironmentalProfile................................................................30Figure12 TownofSpencer:EnvironmentalProfile..............................................................31Figure13 TownofHolden:CorridorExtensionEnvironmentalProfile................................32Figure14 TownofSpencer:CorridorExtensionEnvironmentalProfile...............................33Figure15 HoldenTrafficCountLocations..............................................................................35Figure16 PaxtonTrafficCountLocations..............................................................................36Figure17 SpencerTrafficCountLocations............................................................................37Figure18 Route31SpeedProfile:Holden/PaxtonSouthboundAMPeakPeriod.........40Figure19 Route31SpeedProfile:Holden/PaxtonNorthboundAMPeakPeriod.........41Figure20 Route31SpeedProfile:Holden/PaxtonSouthboundPMPeakPeriod..........42Figure21 Route31SpeedProfile:Holden/PaxtonNorthboundPMPeakPeriod..........43Figure22 Route31SpeedProfile:Paxton/SpencerSouthboundAMPeakPeriod........44Figure23 Route31SpeedProfile:Paxton/SpencerNorthboundAMPeakPeriod........45Figure24 Route31SpeedProfile:Paxton/SpencerSouthboundPMPeakPeriod........46Figure25 Route31SpeedProfile:Paxton/SpencerNorthboundPMPeakPeriod........47Figure26 TownofHoldenRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod................49Figure27 TownofHoldenRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod................50Figure28 TownofPaxtonRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod................51Figure29 TownofPaxtonRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod................52Figure30 TownofSpencerRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod..............53Figure31 TownofSpencerRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod..............54Figure32 TownofHoldenRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod...60Figure33 TownofHoldenRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod....61Figure34 TownofPaxtonRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod....62Figure35 TownofPaxtonRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod....63Figure36 TownofSpencerRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod..64Figure37 TownofSpencerRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod..65Figure38 VehicleCrashDiagram:HoldenRoute122A/Route31......................................72Figure39 VehicleCrashDiagram:PaxtonRoute31/Route56..........................................77Figure40 VehicleCrashDiagram:PaxtonRoute31/Route122........................................78Figure41 VehicleCrashDiagram:SpencerRoute31/MeadowRd/WireVillageRd.........83Figure42 VehicleCrashDiagram:SpencerRoute31/Route9/WallSt.............................84
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Figure43 VehicleCrashDiagram:SpencerRoute9/MeadowRd/SouthSpencerRd.......90Figure44 Route31CorridorProfilePavementCondition.....................................................93Figure45 TownofHolden:MajorDrainageStructures......................................................103Figure46 TownofPaxton:MajorDrainageStructures......................................................104Figure47 TownofSpencer:MajorDrainageStructures....................................................105Figure48 TownofHolden:Route31MajorDrainageStructuresPhotos..........................111Figure49 TownofPaxton:Route31MajorDrainageStructuresPhotos..........................112Figure50 TownofSpencer:Route31MajorDrainageStructuresPhotos.........................113Figure51 WorcesterRegionalTransitAuthorityServiceArea............................................115Figure52 MidstateTrailAlignment.....................................................................................122Figure53 CorridorWideSuggestedImprovementOptions................................................135Figure54 TownofHolden:SuggestedImprovementOptions...........................................139Figure55 TownofPaxton:SuggestedImprovementOptions............................................142Figure56 ProposedRoute31(HoldenRoad)TIPProject#607250.....................................143Figure57 TownofSpencer:SuggestedImprovementOptions..........................................147Figure58 PotentialRealignment/StraighteningofRoute31Curve....................................148
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ListofTables
Table1 TechnicalAdvisoryGroupMembershipListing&MeetingDates.......................7Table2 Route31ExistingDailyTrafficVolumes..............................................................38Table3 Route31TravelTimeandDelayStudyResults...................................................39Table4 PercentageofHeavyVehiclesUtilizingRoute31FocusIntersections................56Table5 SiteSpecificBackgroundDevelopment...............................................................58Table6 IntersectionLevelofService(LOS)AnalysesResults: ExistingConditions&Projected2023Conditions...............................................67Table7 VehicleCrashRatesatFocusIntersections.........................................................69Table8 SummaryofReportedVehicleCrashesonRoute31intheTownofHolden......71Table9 HoldenRoute31VehicleCrashInventory........................................................73Table10 SummaryofReportedVehicleCrashesonRoute31intheTownofPaxton......76Table11 PaxtonRoute31VehicleCrashInventory........................................................79Table12 SummaryofReportedVehicleCrashesonRoute31intheTownofSpencer....82Table13 SpencerRoute31VehicleCrashInventory.......................................................85Table14 SummaryofReportedVehicleCrashesonMeadowRoadinthe TownofSpencer..................................................................................................89Table15 SpencerMeadowRoadVehicleCrashInventory..............................................91Table16 Route31PavementAnalysisRecommendations................................................94Table17 Route31CorridorProfileBridges........................................................................99Table18 Route31&MeadowRoadInventoryofMajorDrainageStructures...............106Table19 TownofHoldenRoute31FocusIntersections: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................125Table20 TownofPaxtonRoute31FocusIntersections: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................126Table21 TownofSpencerRoute31(&MeadowRoad)FocusIntersections: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................127Table22 TownofHoldenRoute31(&ManningStreet)RoadwaySegments: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................130Table23 TownofPaxtonRoute31RoadwaySegments: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................131Table24 TownofSpencerRoute31(&MeadowRoad)RoadwaySegments: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................132Table25 IntersectionLevelofService(LOS)AnalysesResults: Projected2023DoNothingandPotentialFutureYearImprovements........136
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1.0 INTRODUCTION1.1 TransportationManagementSystemsIntegration:CorridorProfileACorridorProfilecombinestheinformationproducedbythetransportationManagementSystemsalongaparticularhighwaycorridor,ofteninmultiplehostcommunities,andanalyzesperformancebaseddata,suggestsbothoperationalandphysicalimprovements,andmayidentifycandidateprojectsforfurtherstudy.UtilizingtherangeofdataandanalysesproducedbytheongoingtransportationManagementSystemsmaintainedbythestaffoftheCentralMassachusettsRegionalPlanningCommission(CMRPC)andoverseenbytheCentralMassachusettsMetropolitanPlanningOrganization(CMMPO),CorridorProfileeffortsallowforthecomprehensiveintegrationthroughconsiderationofarangeofkeytransportationplanningfactors.Ultimately,abroadrangeofsuggestedimprovementoptionsarecompiledfortheconsiderationofthehostcommunitiesandMassDOTHighwayDivision.Whenlocalconsensusisreached,proposedimprovementprojectsacceptedbythecommunityeligibleforfederalaidfundinghavethepotentialtobeselectedbytheCMMPOforprogrammingintheannualTransportationImprovementProgram(TIP)document.Atthistime,thehighlycompetitiveTIPisessentiallyfullyproscribedforthefiscalyears2015to2018.TheRoute31CorridorProfileincludestheanalysisandinterpretationofarangeofManagementSystemdata,includingthefollowing:
TrafficCounting:DailyAutomaticTrafficRecorder(ATR)countsandMassDOTHighwayDivisioncountdata
CongestionManagementProcess(CMP):CurrentTravelTime&DelaystudiesalongRoute31;currentandfutureprojectedpeakhourTurningMovementCounts(TMC)atfocusintersectionsandassociatedLevelofService(LOS)analyses
FreightPlanning:PeakhourpercentageofheavyvehiclesutilizingRoute31focusintersections
TransportationSafetyPlanningProgram:IndepthvehiclecrashresearchincooperationwiththeHolden,Paxton,andSpencerPoliceDepartmentsutilizingathreeyearhistoryofreportedcrashesandsubsequentanalysis,includingthecompilationofcollisiondiagramsandcrashrates
PavementManagementSystem(PMS):ObservationofpavementsurfacedistressandextentinthefieldalongwithsubsequentanalysisandcalculatedOverallConditionIndex(OCI)
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BridgeManagementSystem(BMS):BridgeconditiondataavailablethroughMassDOTHighwayDivision;GISbasedinventoryofmajorroadwaydrainagestructuresaswellaslocalobservationsinthefield
Dependingonlocalsentimentandavailablefunding,thetechnicalworknecessarytocompileaCorridorProfileissupplementedbycustomizedpublicoutreachefforts.ThiscanrangefrombasicmeetingswithlocalofficialstotheformationofaTechnicalAdvisoryGrouporstudyTaskForcetoguidetheeffort.Asdeterminednecessary,specialmeetingscanalsobeheldwithvariousstakeholdergroupsinarangeofvenues.1.2 PreviousCorridorProfileEffortsInearlieryears,theCMRPCtransportationstaffhascompletedseveralCorridorProfileefforts.AsshowninFigure1,threepreviousstudieshavebeencompletedinthispartoftheplanningregion.ThefigureindicateshowtheRoute31CorridorProfilelinkswiththreepreviouslycompletedtransportationplanningeffortsconductedonRoute122AinHolden,Route122ScenicBywayinPaxtonandRoute9inSpencer.AstheCorridorProfileserieshasevolved,ithasbecomeincreasinglymultimodalandintermodal.Atthistime,theManagementSystemsserveasthebasisforthetransitiontoperformancebasedplanning.Performancebasedplanningseekstomeasurethevalueofinvestmentsmadeinthenationstransportationinfrastructure.Presently,focusareasincludereducingcongestion,improvingpavement,reducingvehiclecrashesand,inthespiritofthestatesHealthyTransportationinitiative,increasingtheuseofthealternativemodesoftransit,bicycling,andwalking.1.3 Route31CorridorProfile:Holden,Paxton,andSpencerTheRoute31CorridorProfilebeganasavisionbythetownofSpencerforatransportationplanningstudythatwouldidentifypotentialsafetyimprovementsalongRoute31.Althoughhavingaprimaryemphasisonimprovingroadwaysafety,othergoalsoftheRoute31CorridorProfileincludereducingperiodiccongestion,preservingandimprovingroadwaypavement,maintainingandreconstructingmajorbridgeanddrainagestructuresaswellasdetermininghowtoimprovetheroadwayforbicycleandpedestrianaccommodations.CompetitivelyselectedbytheCMMPO,staffrequestedthecommunitiesofHoldenandPaxtontoparticipateintheeffort.TheparticipationofHoldenandPaxtonallowedtheRoute31CorridorProfiletolinkpreviousplanningstudiesonRoute122AinHolden,theRoute122ScenicBywayinPaxtonandtheearlierRoute9CorridorProfileinSpencer.Route31isafederalaidhighwaythatiseligibleforfederalfundingforimprovements.TheRoute31studycorridorisshowninFigure2alongwithothermajoraspectsofthegreaterregionsmultimodaltransportationnetworkincludingrailroadsandlongdistancehikingtrails.
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IPrevious StudiesFigure 1
RUTLAND
OAKHAM
BARRE PRINCETON
HOLDENWESTBOYLSTON
WORCESTER
MILLBURY
AUBURN
LEICESTERSPENCER
PAXTON
NORTH BROOKFIELD
EAST BROOKFIELD
CHARLTONOXFORD
290
90
")9
290
")9
")146
90 20395
")12")56
")56")9
")9
")12
")49")31
")31
")122
190
")31
")31
")122
")56
")56")122
")148
")140
")110
")140
")68
")146
20
")12
")122
Meadow
Road
122A
122A
122A
0 1 2 3 40.5Miles
190
Manning St
reet
Raymon
d Huntin
gton Hgw
y
Route 9 Corridor Profile
Route 122A (Main St.)Access ManagementRoute 122 "Lost Villages"Scenic Byways
LegendRoute 9 Corridor Profile, 2007
Route 122 "Lost Villages" Scenic Byways, 2009
Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Route 31 1.0 Mile Buffer Zone
Route 31 Corridor Extensions
Route 122A (Main St.) Access Management, 2011
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IHost communities of Holden, Paxton and SpencerFigure 2
RUTLAND
OAKHAM
BARRE PRINCETON
HOLDEN WESTBOYLSTON
WORCESTER
MILLBURY
AUBURN
LEICESTERSPENCER
PAXTON
NORTH BROOKFIELD
EAST BROOKFIELD
CHARLTON OXFORD
290
90
")9
290
")9
")146
90 20 395
")12")56
")56
")9
")9
")12
")49")31
")31
")122
190
")31
")31
")122
")56
")56
")122
")148
")140
")110
")140
")70
")68
")146
20
")12
")122
Meadow
Road
122A
122A
Manning S
treetLaurel StreetR
aymond
Hunting
ton Hgw
y
190
0 1.5 3 4.5 60.75Miles
Legend
InterstateU.S. RouteState Route
Midstate TrailRailroad
Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerRoute 31 Corridor Profile Extensions
Other Trails
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TheroadwaysegmentsofRoute31inHolden(3.3miles),Paxton(4.4miles),andSpencer(5.6miles)combineforatotallengthof13.3miles.EssentiallyallofRoute31islocallymaintainedbythehostcommunitiesofHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.TheMassDOTRoadwayInventoryFile(RIF)indicatesthattherightofwayforRoute31ismostly40feetinwidth,withsomeminorexceptions,inthehostcommunitiesofHoldenandPaxton.InSpencer,theRIFindicatesanavailablerightofwayofmostly50feet,againwithsomeminorexceptions.Additionally,ManningStreetinHoldenandMeadowRoadinSpencer(attherequestoftherespectivecommunities)havebeenincludedinthisstudyasextensionsofRoute31.1.4 CorridorProfileWorkActivitiesDefinedinUPWPThisCorridorProfileefforthasbeencompletedaspartoftheCMMPOEndorsedUnifiedPlanningWorkPrograms(UPWPs)forfederalfiscalyears2013and2014.ThefollowingprovidesanoverviewofthemajortasksthatwereincludedwithinthedefinedscopeoftheRoute31CorridorProfileeffort:
CMRPCcoordinationonanentirerangeofCorridorProfileaspectsincludingdatacollectionandanalysis.
VehiclecrashanalysescompletedincooperationwiththeHolden,PaxtonandSpencer
PoliceDepartments.
CompletionofanEnvironmentalProfilefortheentireRoute31studycorridorinHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.
Rangeofsuggestedimprovementoptionscompiledforhostcommunityconsideration.
Compilationandproductionofarangeofcolormapsandgraphicsforthereport
documentaswellasforpublicoutreachpurposes.
CompletionofdetailedRoute31CorridorProfilereportdocumentalongwithanaccompanyingTechnicalAppendix.
PublicOutreach:
MeetingsoftheRoute31TechnicalAdvisoryGroup,alternatingbetweenthehostcommunitiesofHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.
Route31HostCommunityStudyPublicOutreachandOverviewMeetings,autumn2014.
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Additionalactivity:
HoldenCenter&MainStreetNeighborhoodSAFEworkshop,summer2013.1.5 TechnicalAdvisoryGroupfortheRoute31CorridorProfilePublicoutreachmethodsarecustomizedforeachCorridorProfilestudy.InthecaseofRoute31,aTechnicalAdvisoryGroupwasestablishedtooverseeandguidethestudyprocess.MemberswereaskedtoparticipatefromeachofthehostcommunitiesofHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.TheparticipantsoftheRoute31TechnicalAdvisoryGrouparelistedinTable1.Itwassuggestedthatthegroupconveneeverytwomonthsthroughoutthedurationofthestudyprocess.AlistingofthemeetingsheldbytheTechnicalAdvisoryGroupisalsoshowninthetable.Ascanbeseen,themeetingschedulealternatedbetweeneachRoute31hostcommunity.ThefirstmeetingoftheGroupwasheldinFebruary2013andcontinueduntilAugust2014.TheCMRPCstaffwouldarrangethemeetingswiththeassistanceofthevariousparticipantsineachhostcommunity.Detailedhandoutswereprovidedbythestaff,mostcontainingarangeofcolorgraphicsandothervisuals.Also,stafffromtheMassDOTHighwayDivisionDistrict#3officewasconsultedperiodicallyduringthestudyprocess,particularlyconcerningRoute31bridgestructures.Followingthecompletionofthestudyandpriortodocumentfinalization,StudyOverviewMeetingswereheldwiththefollowinghostcommunityofficials.
Holden:DepartmentofPublicWorks,TransportationCirculationCommittee,and PlanningBoardPaxton:BoardofSelectmenSpencer:TownAdministratorandBoardofSelectmen
Themeetingsprovidedanoverviewtothestudyprocessandanopportunitytodiscussfindingsandtherangeofsuggestedimprovementoptionswhileaddressinghostcommunityconcerns.AdetailedTechnicalAppendixhasbeencompiledtoaccompanytheRoute31CorridorProfiledocumentandincludesmeetingagendasfromallmeetingsoftheTechnicalAdvisoryGroupaswellastheStudyOverviewMeetingsheldwithlocalofficials.TheAppendixalsoincludesnewsarticles,technicalanalysesandabroadrangeofothermaterialspertinenttotheRoute31CorridorProfileeffort.
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Table1TechnicalAdvisoryGroup
MembershipListing&MeetingDates
TownofHoldenIsabelMcCauley,SeniorCivilEngineer
JohnWoodsmall,DepartmentofPublicWorksDirector
TownofPaxtonMikePutnam,DepartmentofPublicWorksSuperintendent
CarolRiches,TownAdministrator
TownofSpencerStevenTyler,P.E.,Utilities&FacilitiesSuperintendent
CMRPCProfessionalStaff
KevinKrasnecky,PrincipalPlannerRichRydant,TransportationProjectManager
MeetingLocations&Dates
SpencerFebruary5,2013PaxtonApril9,2013HoldenJune4,2013
SpencerAugust13,2013PaxtonOctober8,2013
HoldenDecember10,2013SpencerFebruary11,2014
PaxtonApril8,2014HoldenJune10,2014
SpencerAugust12,2014
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1.6HostCommunityObservationsAtstudyonset,membersoftheTechnicalAdvisoryGroupfromeachhostcommunitywereaskedtoprovideacomprehensivelistingofRoute31locationswithinthedefinedstudyareawhereimprovementsshouldbeconsidered.Theseobservationswereusedtohelpguidefieldobservationanddatacollectionefforts.Laterinthestudydocument,suggestedimprovementoptionsareprovidedforhostcommunityconsideration.Theseoptionsarebasedonthebelowlistedcommunityobservations,observationsmadeinthefieldbystaffaswellasarangeofstandardizedtransportationplanningcalculations.Followingthelistedcommunityobservations,Figures3through5showtheidentifiedcorridordeficienciesandtheirlocationsforeachofthethreetowns.1.7TownofHoldenIntersectionCongestion
HoldenishostcommunitytoWachusettRegionalHighSchool(WRHS),amajorgeneratorofschoolbusandpersonalvehicletraffic.WRHSgeneratedtraffichasbeenobservedtocontributetocongestedconditionsattheRoute122A(MainStreet)/Route31(ReservoirStreet/HighlandStreet)intersection.
TrafficcongestionissuesexistattheRoute31(HighlandStreet)/ManningStreet
intersectionduringpeakflowperiods.ManningStreetalongwiththeRayHuntingtonHighway/LeggRoadprovidesaccesstotheI190interchange#5inSterling.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCorridorProfilestudyarea.)
IntersectionSafety
IntersectionofRoute31(HighlandStreet)withWachusettStreethasahistoryofvehiclecrashes.HPDrecordsindicatedthatbetween1/1/2010and10/16/2013thatthree(3)reportedvehiclecrashedoccurredattheRoute31/WachusettStreetlocation.AccordingtotheHPD,allweresituationswhereavehicleonRoute31waseitherslowingtoturnorstoppedtowaitforcleartoclearandwasrearendedbyanothervehicle.Itappearsthatnoneoftheincidentswasweatherrelated.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCPstudyarea.)
RoadwayCondition
Roadwaysurfacesettlementissuesareevidentbetween350&383SouthRoadduetoadrainagepipecrossingRoute31thatleadstotheKendallReservoirbasin.
RoadwayGeometry
Route31providesaminimalshoulderoflessthan1footinwidth.
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Asobservedinthefield,thereexistslimitedsightdistanceduetoanotableverticalcurveonRoute31(substandardroadwaygeometry),adjacentto5060SouthRoad,southoftheMixterRoadintersection.
Route31exhibitssteepgradesoneachapproachtotheKendallReservoirbasin.
RoadwayDrainage
Route31(PaxtonRoad/SouthRoad)forapproximately0.8miles,lacksdrainagestructures.Asaresult,stormwaterrunsviasheetflowtowardstheKendallReservoirbasin.
RoadwaydrainagefromSouthRoadflowsintotheKendallReservoiruntreated.Thereis
noprovisionofanyfilteringsystem.Bridge
BridgeNumberH18002,Route31(ReservoirStreet)overP&WRailroad:ItissuggestedthatthewearingsurfaceoftheRoute31bridgeovertheP&WRRberepaved.Thebridgewasconstructedaround1983.BridgedeemedFunctionallyObsolete(FO)byMassDOT,duetogeneralstructuredeteriorationorinadequatestrength,MassDOT77.3rating.
Anyrepairorimprovementplanforthisstructureshouldconsidertheinstallationofafullyaccessiblesidewalkalongsouthsideofbridgestructure.
RoadwaySafety
Route31(PaxtonRoad/SouthRoad/ReservoirStreet)presentsapotentialvehiclecrashhazardduetotreesandotherovergrownvegetationwithintheroadwayrightofway.Considerselectiveremovalofencroachingvegetation.
RetainingWallFailure
Townofficialsindicatestructuralanddrainageissuesassociatedwiththestoneretainingwallnexttothehistoriccemeteryinthetowncenter,causedbytheverticalalignmentoftheroadwayduringtheredesignoftheRoute122A/Route31intersection.ThetownofHoldenownsthestoneretainingwall;thenameofthecemeteryisOldBurialGround.
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Pedestrian
IthasbeensuggestedthattheRoute31sidewalkbeextendedfromRoute122A(MainStreet)toTheOaksofHolden,anage55+condominiumcomplex,andtheHoldenChapel.
PedestriancrossingnearColonyHomesSeniorHousingProjectonRoute31(Reservoir
Street)issubjecttosubstantialtrafficvolumeswhileprovidinglimitedsightdistance,throughobstructedlinesofsight.
Thecommunityseekssidewalknetworkconnectivityforpedestrianaccessbetweenthe
segmentsofRoute31bothnorthandsouthofRoute122A(MainStreet).SidewalkconnectivityonRoute31(HighlandStreet)northofRoute122AisenvisionedtocontinuenorthtoNolaDriveandsouthtoJoelScottDrive.Further,connectivityforbicyclesandpedestriansissoughtforDavisHillSchool,locatedonJamiesonStreet.Thepotentialforoffstreetbicyclepathsalsoexistsinthisdenseresidentialarea.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCPstudyarea.)
ActivedevelopmentprojectsalongRoute31inHolden
ModificationofRoute31(HighlandStreet)/UnionStreetintersectionisundergoingthelocalreviewprocess.ImprovementsareconsideredmitigationfortheGreenwoodIIsubdivision(96lots)thathasaccessonUnionStreet.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCPstudyarea.)
Informationrelatedtothenumberofunitsandoccupancyforsubdivisionslocatedoff
Route31,withinthestudyarea: Stoneybrook,totalof76units,36builtandoccupiedtodate TheOaksofHolden,designedfor108with72builtandoccupied.
ManningStreetBridgeStatus
InJune2013,apartiallaneclosurewasputintoplaceontheManningStreetbridgeduetothediscoveryofdeteriorationinthebridgedeckingandunderlyingconcretebeams(superstructure).OnOctober7,2013,HoldensDPWHighwayDivisionbeganrepairoperationstothenorthboundlaneofthebridgewhichstartedwiththeremovalofexistingpavementandwaterproofmembrane.Duringthiswork,itwasnotedthattheconditionsoftheconcretebeamsandotherfunctionalelementsweresuchthatareplacementofthebridgesuperstructurewasdeterminedtobeamoreeffectivelongtermsolution.Thus,theHighwayDivisionplanstocompletetherepairofthedeterioratedbeams,addasprayappliedwaterproofmembraneunderthedirectionofMassDOT,andrepavethenorthboundlane.Thesouthboundlanewillbeleftintact.MassDOTwillreinspectthebridgeafterthecompletionofrepairs.
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1.8TownofPaxtonRoute31(HoldenRoad),betweenHoldentownlineandGroveStreet
TheRoute31(GroveStreet)/Route31(HoldenRoad)intersectionisconsideredpotentiallyhazardousduetolimitedlinesofsight.Aflashingbeaconhaslongbeenpresentatthislocation,supplementingtheSTOPsignforHoldenRoad.
ThetownofPaxtonisseekingalistingontheCMMPOsTIPforanimprovementproject
forHoldenRoadreclamation.TheproposedprojecthasbeenapprovedbyMassDOTPRC(#607250).TheprojecthasyettobeprogrammedontheTIPbytheMPO.Atthistime,itisanticipatedthatfundingmaybeavailableforFY2019,attheearliest.Theproposedprojectincludes: Addressingdeterioratingpavementandberm,mostlycountrystyledrainage,
somecatchbasins Drainageimprovements/culvertlocations Bicycleandpedestrianaccommodation Accessmanagement,minimal Treetrimmingand/orremovalwithinROW Upgrade/improveguardrailsalongthissegment,wherenecessary
InadditiontoAnnaMariaCollege,theremaybeincreasedvehicleandpedestrian
generationfromPaxtonsnewseniorhousingdevelopment.ThesitedriveislocatedonGroveStreetnorthoftheHoldenRoadintersection.50unitswith60parkingspacesareplanned.
Route31(GroveStreet),betweenHoldenRoadandMapleStreet
ThissegmentofRoute31wasreconstructedaround2002.GroveStreetexhibitsCompleteStreetdesigncharacteristics,accommodatingvehicles,bicyclesandpedestrians.GroveStreetservesastheprimaryaccesstoAnnaMariaCollege(AMC),aschoolwithanenrollmentof1,500.
Route31(MapleStreet),betweenGroveStreetandtowncenter
Varyingroadwaywidth,somewhatnarrowinplaces.
IdentifiedneedtoeithertrimorremovehazardoustreeswithinroadwayRightofWay
NosidewalkscurrentlyexistonMapleStreet.Thetownisstronglyconsideringtheadditionofnewsidewalks.MapleStreetisconsideredtobeanimportantpedestriancorridorconnectingthetowncenterwithGroveStreet,AnnaMariaCollegeandthenewseniorhousingdevelopment.
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Route31intowncenter
TrafficgeneratedinnearbycommunitiesleadstocongestionattheRoute122/Route31intersectioninthecenteroftown.
Thetownseeksupgradestoexistingsidewalks.Further,considertheadditionofnew
sidewalks.PaxtonhasrequestedaNeighborhoodSAFEworkshop.Route31(WestStreet),betweentowncenterandSuomiStreet
Thetownseeksupgradestoexistingsidewalksaswellasconsideringnewextensions.
IthasbeenindicatedbytownofficialsthatthewatermainbeneathWestStreetneedstobereplacedandupgraded.Thenewmainwouldalsoneedtobeburieddeeperundertheroadwaysurface.ThisnecessaryutilityworkmustprecedeanyhighwayimprovementssuggestedforRoute31.(AnotheroptionavailabletothetownwouldbetoincludetheutilityupgradesasnonparticipatingworkpaidforbythehostcommunityaspartofapotentialfutureyearTIPproject).
TheRoute31/PaxtonCenterSchoolaccessdriveservesbothschoolandtown
recreationalfacilities.Seektomaintainexistinglinesofsightatthislocation.Route31(WestStreet),betweenSuomiStreetandSpencertownline
Varyingroadwaywidth,somewhatnarrowinplaces.
Culvertinspectionneeded(potentialrepairs/replacement) Largeculvert,southofNaniganRoad Largeculvert,adjacenttoMooreStatePark
Identifiedneedtoeithertrimorremovehazardoustreesandothervegetationwithin
roadwayrightofway.
Upgrade/improveguardrailsalongthissegment,wherenecessary.Someareasinneedofrepairnotedinfield.
PublicTransit
CommunitybeginsflexroutebusserviceincooperationwithtransitproviderWorcesterRegionalTransitAuthority(WRTA).FlexrouteservingAnnaMariaCollegeandthetowncenterinitiatedinlate2013.
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Otherconcerns
Generalheavyvehicle(truck)trafficvolumesusingRoute31.
Automotivecarriertrucks,manyoriginatinginSpencer/EastBrookfield.(ReferenceNEAGoperatorobservationsfromearliermeeting.)
1.9TownofSpencerIntersectionCongestion
AttheRoute9/MeadowRoad/SouthSpencerRoadintersection,northboundvehiclequeuinglanesareofinsufficientlength.Itissuggestedtoexpand/lengthentheSouthSpencerRoadnorthboundapproachvehiclequeuinglanes.ThisimprovementisnecessarytoaccommodateFLEXcongeneratedtraffic,especiallyduringpeakflowperiods.Currently,vehicleshavebeenobservedtodriveovertheexistingroadwaycurbing.Inaddition,thecommunityhasrequestedanaccessandaccidentstudyforBigYplaza.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCPstudyarea.)
IntersectionSafety
TheRoute31(NorthSpencerRoad)/Route31(PleasantStreet)/MeadowRoad/WireVillageRoadstudyintersectionhascausedsafetyconcernsduetoitsrecentcrashhistory.Inlate2013,thisintersectioncompletedFHWAfundedSTOPsignimprovementsthatfeaturenewsignsandadvancedwarningonallapproaches.TheseimprovementswerescreenedandapprovedbyMassDOT.(AstatewidesummaryofthisworkhasbeenobtainedfortheTechnicalAppendix.)SupplementaladvisorysignsnotingstreetnameshavealsobeeninstalledontheRoute31approachestothisstudylocation.OneofthenewsignsisobstructedbyS12002bridgeposting.Thisjusthappenstobethehighestspeedapproach.
RoadwayCondition
DeterioratingpavementconditionsworsenonSpencersnorthernmostsegmentsofRoute31.AlongthesenortherlysegmentsapproachingthePaxtontownline,themagnitudeandextentofseverealligatorcrackingandruttingbecomesincreasinglylarger.
RoadwayGeometry
AddressthesharpcurveinRoute31justsouthoftheSpencer/Paxtontownline.Substandardroadwaygeometry,canitbemoderatedorstraightenedinsomemanner?Thissiteexhibitslowtravelspeedsduetotheextremelylimitedlinesofsight.
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Vegetationisalsoencroachingupontheroadway.Potentialimprovementoptionsinclude:
Donothing Spotimprovement Structurerelocation Roadwayrealignment,shortandlong.Needtoexamineparcelmap.
TheMeadowRoadverticalapproachtoRoute31needstoberaisedtoimprovevisibility
approachingandattheintersection.AccessManagement
CurbcutconsolidationandotherAccessManagementimprovementssuggestedforlocalroadsandabuttingprivatepropertiesalonglengthofSpencerstudysection.
Bridge
BridgeNumberS23002,Route31(NorthSpencerRoad)overSevenMileRiver:IdentifiedbyMassDOTasStructurallyDeficient,weightlimitsarepostedforthisbridge.(Referto4/5/2012MassDOTbridgeinspectionreport.)
BridgeNumberS23012,Route31(NorthSpencerRoad)overSevenMileRiver:
Continueddeteriorationofexistingstructure;willrequirefutureyearreplacement,consideredcriticalbytown
Arelatedtopic,therecentlydamagedBridgeNumberS23010,HastingsRoadoverTurkeyHillBrookhascausedthatcrossingtobereducedtoasinglelaneandthereforeisnowanevenworseoptionforanalternatetruckdetour(includingNEAGgeneratedtrucks)whenmoresignificantdeteriorationandloadingproblemseventuallyoccurontheRoute31bridges.TheneedtouselimitedtownfundstorepairthisstructurefurtherreducesthelikelihoodthatthetowncouldaddressdeteriorationontheabovesummarizedRoute31bridges.
Route31,NorthSpencer,undersizedculvertstructureswithpastfloodingissues;there
existspotentialforfuturefloodingoccurrences.Atonelocation,townplanstheinstallationofanewculverttoaddressrecurringfloodingissues.(Seeplanprovidedbycommunity.)
PublicTransit
IthasbeensuggestedthatSpencerHighwayDepartmentpropertyonMeadowRoadcouldbeusedforalongtermfutureFastchargerlocationforelectricbusesor
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potentialPark&Ridefacility.TheWorcesterRegionalTransitAuthority(WRTA)BusRoute#33couldservesuchaPNRlot.Further,WRTAbusesandothertransitvehiclescoulddwell,orwaitbetweentrips,atthislocationawayfromresidentialareas.Ataminimum,theMeadowRoadimprovementprojectshouldincluderevisedtransitaccommodations
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IIdentified Corridor DeficienciesFigure 3
")31
")68
PRINCETON
WORCESTER
WEST BOYLSTON
")122A
RUTLAND
")122A
")31
")12
")140
")31
Raymond H
untington
Highway
STERLING
190
190
190
Manning S
treet
1 in = 0.79 miles
HOLDEN
- Varying roadway widths & minimal shoulder widths (often < 1 foot)- Trees & overgrown vegetation in right-of-way, considered potential vehicle crash hazard-Safety fencing needed near culvert & drainpipe inlets/outlets-General truck & other heavy vehicle use
Route 31 Overall:
Access to Interstate 190 interchange #5 in Sterling
Manning Street - Ray Huntington Highway - Legg Road:
Recent replacement of deteriorated deck & beams.Manning Street Bridge over Trout Brook:
Potential improvements under local review.
Route 31 / Union Street:
Vehicle Crash History Route 31 / Wachusett Street:
Peak period congestion Route 31 / Manning Street:
Peak period congestion, crash history;WRHS traffic.
Route 31 / Route 122A:
Hosted recent Walkable Community /Neighborhood SAFE Project Workshop
Town of Holden:
Limited sight distance at pedestrian crossing.
Colony Homes Senior Housing:
MassDOT 77.3 rating;Functionally Obsolete (FO)Lacks accessible sidewalk on south side.
Route 31 Bridge over P&W Railroad:
No sidewalks exist on either side of the roadway.Route 31, Wong Dynasty to Holden Chapel:
Potential exists for off-street bicycle paths.Dense residential neighborhoods:
Sidewalk network connectivity for pedestrians & bicycles; Envisioned north to Nola Drive, includes Davis Hill Schoolon Jamieson Street.
Route 31 North & South of Route 122A:
Retaining wall structural failure.Old Burial Ground:
Limited sight distance due to vertical curve(Substandard roadway geometry).
Route 31, 50-60 South Road:
Roadway drainage flows untreated into reservoir;No filtering system currently exists.
Route 31 (South Road):
Steep Grades.Route 31:
Lacks formal drainage structures; Storm water runs in "sheet-flow" during storm events.
Route 31 (Paxton Road / South Road, 0.8 mi):
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Interstate
Railroad
Other Roadways
State Numbered Routes
Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension
Roadway surface settlement due todrain pipe crossing.
Route 31, 350 - 383 South Road:
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IIdentified Corridor DeficienciesFigure 4
")31
")122
")56
RUTLAND
LEICESTER
")31
1 in = 0.75 miles
")122
SPENCER
HOLDEN
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerState Route
Other Roadways
Midstate Trail
PAXTONNeed to maintain / preserve major culverts;Adjacent to Moore State Park & South of Nanigan Road.
Route 31 Culverts:
Repair / Upgrade existing sidewalks;Consider new sidewalk extensions.
Route 31 (West Street):
Limited lines of sight;Potential vehicle crash hazard.
Route 31 (Grove Street) / Route 31 (Holden Road):
Peak period congestion. Route 31 / Route 122:
Varying roadway width, too narrow in places;no sidewalks exist.
Route 31 (Maple Street):
Reconstructed in 2002,"Complete Street" design for all users.
Route 31 (Grove Street):
Town seeks CMMPO TIP Project Including-Pavement Reclamation-Drainage Improvements-Bicycle & Pedestrian Accomodation
Route 31 (Holden Road):
Must maintain clear lines of sight. Route 31 / Paxton Center School Drive:
Water main under Route 31 needs replacement;New main must be buried deeper.
Route 31 (West Street):
- Varying roadway widths & minimal shoulder widths (often < 1 foot)- Trees & overgrown vegetation in right-of-way, considered potential vehicle crash hazard-Safety fencing needed near culvert & drainpipe inlets/outlets-General truck & other heavy vehicle use
Route 31 Overall:
- Community requests Walkable Community / Neighborhood SAFE Workshop- Community begins flex route bus service with transit provider WRTA; flex route serving Anna Maria College and the town center started in late 2013.
Town of Paxton:
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IIdentified Corridor DeficienciesFigure 5
")9
Meadow
Road
")31
")148
")49
NORTH BROOKFIELD
PAXTON
LEICES
TER
EAST
BROO
KFIELD
")9
")9
")31
")31
1 in = 0.75 miles
SPENCER
- Varying roadway widths & minimal shoulder widths (often < 1 foot)- Trees & overgrown vegetation in right-of-way, considered potential vehicle crash hazard-Safety fencing needed near culvert & drainpipe inlets/outlets-General truck & other heavy vehicle use-Need for Access Management
Route 31 Overall:
Town planned installation ofnew culvert to addressrecurring flooding issues.
Route 31, North Spencer:
Substandard roadway geometry, limited lines of sight; Vegetation encroaching
Sharp Curve near Spencer/Paxton Town Line:
"Structurally Deficient" as per MassDOT Posted Weight Limits
Bridge #S-23-002, Route 31 (North Spencer Road)over the Seven Mile River
Community requests Walkable Community/Neighborhood SAFE Project Workshop
Meadow Road:
Transit vehicles for WRTA Bus Route # 33 &other services could dwell at this location;Investigate potential for future Park & Ride facility.
Spencer Highway Department:
Deteriorating pavement conditions,featuring severe alligator cracking & rutting
Route 31, North Spencer:
Recent damage reduced town owned structure to a single lane. Inadequate option for potential truck detours.
Bridge #S-23-010, Hastings Roadover Turkey Hill Brook
Safety concerns with recent crash history, 2013 "STOP" sign improvements includesupplemental advisory signs.
Route 31 (North Spencer Road)/Route 31 (Pleasant Street)/Meadow Road/Wire Village Road
Major employer FLEXcon generates peak period traffic.Northbound vehicle queuing lanes of insufficient length.
Route 9/Meadow Road/South Spencer Road:
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Other Roadways
State Numbered Routes
Midstate Trail
Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension
Continued deterioration of existing structure.Future year replacement considered critical by town.
Bridge #S-23-012, Route 31 (North Spencer Road)over the Seven Mile RiverFlooding concerns need to be addressed.Past flood problems. Culvert is undersized.
Route 31, North Spencer:
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2.0 ROUTE31ENVIRONS2.1 HostCommunityLandUseMajorlanduseswereidentifiedbroadlyaspartoftheRoute31CorridorProfileeffort.Thefollowinglistingsprovideasummaryofthemajoremployers,truckinggeneratorsandothersignificantlandusesineachoftheRoute31hostcommunitiesofHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.TheTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeparticipatedinthecompilationofthesesummaries.Correspondingly,Figures6,7and8showthegenerallocationoftheselandusesforHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.TownofHolden
A. HoldenTrapRock:MassachusettsBrokenStoneCompanyoperatesHoldenTrapRock,aminingsitethathasbeenoperatingsince1938.Thefacilityhassignificantreserves,capableofsupplyingtheneedsoftheircustomersfordecadestocome.ThecompanyhasbeenaninnovatorintheproductionofcrushedstoneaggregateandHotMixAsphalt(HMA).
B. WachusettRegionalHighSchool(WRHS):Amajorregionalhighschoolthatservesthe
townsofHolden,Princeton,Paxton,RutlandandSterling.Also,otherschoolbuildingsforthetownofHoldenarelocatedinvicinityofthetowncenterarea,generatingschoolbusandpersonalvehicletraffic.
C. Municipalbuildings,includingOldBurialGround:Thetownhall,StarbardBuildingand
townlibraryarealllocatedadjacenttotheRoute31intersectionwithRoute122A.TheOldBurialGroundisacrossthestreetfromthetownhall,onthesouthsideofRoute122A.
D. MedicalCenterCentralMA:LongknownasHoldenHospital,thismedicalofficesfacility
hasrecentlybeenrenovatedandexpanded.Thesitegeneratesafairvolumeoftrafficasitcontinuestoservethegreatercommunity.
E. MainStreetcommercialareas:Arangeofcommercial,retail,restaurantandservice
relatedactivitiesarepresentalongHoldensMainStreet(Route122A).MostofthisactivityisconcentratedbetweenRoute31southerlytoShrewsburyStreet.
F. RusticPlaza:PopulardiningvenueValsislocatedinthisplazasettingaswellasacoin
operatedlaundrymat.
G. HoldenCommons:SignificanttrafficgeneratorfeaturingaBigYSupermarketandothershopsincludingaCVSPharmacy,hardwarestore,dollarstoreandanadjacentliquorstore.BigYisthelargestfamilyownedretailfoodcompanyinSouthernNewEngland.
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H. Churchstructures,includingHoldenChapel:PlacesofworshipexistinthetowncenterareainthevicinityoftheRoute31intersectionwithMainStreet(Route122A).Locatedsouthofthecenter,theHoldenChapelhasaccessdirectlyoffofRoute31inthevicinityofthenewStonybrookEstates.
TownofPaxton
A. TownHighwayDepartment:Largeoperationsandmaintenancefacilityforhighwaydepartmentandothertownservices.
B. SeniorHousingdevelopment:Anewstructurewith50unitsand60parkingspaces,
nownearlycomplete.ThesitedriveislocatedonGroveStreetnorthoftheRoute31(HoldenRoad)intersection.
C. AnnaMariaCollege(AMC)Campus:ACatholic,coeducational,LiberalArtsCollege
withanenrollmentof1,500.FoundedbytheSistersofSaintAnnein1946,AMCislocatedona192acrecampus.
D. Churchstructures:FirstCongregationalChurchandSt.ColumbaParish&rectory.
E. PaxtonCenterSchoolandathleticfields:K8elementaryschoolandadjacentsenior
centeraccommodatedintheWhiteBuilding.
F. Towncentercommercialarea:Includesthehistorictownhallandanumberofsmallbusinesses,includingabank,packagestoreandhairsalon.Asmallmarketandotherbusinessesarelocatedinaplazasetting.
G. WorcesterCountyMemorialPark:Large,plannedmoderncemeteryforallfaiths
locatedonRoute56(RichardsAvenue).LocatedadjacenttotownoperatedMoorelandCemetery.
H. MooreStatePark:Abeautifulandpeaceful671acrehistoriclandscapecombining
archaeologicalsites,waterfalls,cascades,notablestonework,agriculturalfieldsandforestland,aswellasthousandsofrhododendronsandazaleas.TheparkisnamedinmemorialofaRevolutionaryWarheroMajorWillardMoorewhodiedattheBattleofBunkerHill.
TownofSpencer
A. SaintJosephsAbbey:TheAbbeyisacloisteredRomanCatholicmonasteryofmonksoftheCistercianOrderoftheStrictObservance,knownasTrappists.AttheAbbey,facilitiesexistfortheproductionofjelliesandjams.Theseproductshavebeenproducedonsiteformorethan50years.OpenedanewbreweryforspecialTrappiststylebeersandbeganretailproductionfornationwidedistributionin2014.
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B. BondSand,Gravel&Asphalt:BondhasbeenattheirlocationonRoute31since1972.Bondisopentothegeneralpublicandcaterstobothhomeownersandcontractors.Theyproduceavarietyofqualityaggregateproductsforconstruction,building,landscapinganddevelopmentprojects.Deliveryserviceisavailable;theirfleetincludesthreedumptrailersand7tenwheelerdumptrucks.
C. PineGroveCemetery:HistoriclocalcemeteryadjacenttoSevenmileRiverandSpencer
Fairgrounds.
D. SpencerFairgroundsandAgriculturalCenter:LargeeventsvenuethatincludeshostingamajorannualLaborDayagriculturalfair.
E. PowderMillPark:Atownmaintainedchildrensplaygroundthatisheavilyutilized.
F. MaryQueenofRosaryCemetery:ParishcemeteryoftheMaryQueenofRosaryparish
locatedinSpencer.
G. FLEXcon:FLEXconisanISO9001:2008certifiedmanufacturerofpressuresensitivefilmsandadhesives,headquarteredinSpencer.Thecompanyisaninnovatorincoating,laminating,andfinishingofwidewebrolltorollpolymericmaterials,withexpertiseingraphicsandlabelapplicationsaswellasbonding,barrier,optical,andelectronicsapplications.TheSpencerfacilityemploysapproximately670workers.
H. Route9ShoppingCenter:BigYsupermarketandseveralotherbusinesses.Theplaza
includesdrivethroughfacilitiesforbothDunkinDonutsandabank.BigYisthelargestfamilyownedretailfoodcompanyinSouthernNewEngland.Committedtocustomerservice,BigYoffersworldclassselectionandqualityinaEuropeanmarketstylelayout.
I. EastBrookfield&SpencerRailroad(EBSRR):ThisswitchingrailroadservestheNew
EnglandAutomotiveGateway(NEAG)railtohighwayintermodalfreighttransferfacility.TheNEAGisinthevicinityoftheRoute31corridorstudyarea.SubstantialtrucktrafficisgeneratedbytheNEAG;mostusesRoute49,aportionusesRoute31.
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IMajor Employers, Trucking Generators and Other Significant Land UsesFigure 6
")31
")68
PRINCETON
WORCESTER
WEST BOYLSTON
")122A
RUTLAND
")122A
")31
")12
")140
")31
Raymond H
untington
HighwaySTERLING
190
190
190
Manning S
treet
1 in = 0.79 miles
HOLDEN
CD
A
BF
H G E
A: Holden Trap RockB: Wachusett Regional High School (WRHS)C: Municipal Buildings, including Old Burial GroundD: Medical Center Central MAE: Main Street Commercial AreasF: Rustic PlazaG: Holden CommonsH: Church Structures, including Holden Chapel
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Interstate
Railroad
Other Roadways
State Numbered Routes
A Site Location
Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IMajor Employers, Trucking Generators and Other Significant Land UsesFigure 7
")31
")122
")56
RUTLAND
LEICESTER
")31
1 in = 0.75 miles
")122
SPENCER
HOLDEN
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerState Route
Other Roadways
Midstate Trail
PAXTON
A: Town Highway DepartmentB: Senior Housing DevelopmentC: Anna Maria College (AMC) CampusD: Church StructuresE: Paxton Center School & Athletic FieldsF: Town Center Commercial AreaG: Worcester County Memorial ParkH: Moore State Park
H
GC
FD
E
B A
Midstate Trail
A Site Location23
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IMajor Employers, Trucking Generators and Other Significant Land UsesFigure 8
")9
Meadow
Road
")31
")148
")49
NORTH BROOKFIELD
OAKHAM
PAXTON
LEICES
TER
EAST
BROO
KFIELD
")9
")9
")31
")31SPENCER
A
B
CDE
HI
FG
1 in = 0.75 miles
Legend
A: Saint Joseph's AbbyB: Bond Sand, Gravel & AsphaltC: Pine Grove CemeteryD: Spencer Fairgrounds & Agricultural CenterE: Powder Mill ParkF: Mary Queen of Rosary CemeteryG: FLEXconH: Route 9 Shopping Center I: East Brookfield & Spencer Railroad (EBSRR)
Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
State Route
Other Roadways
Midstate Trail
A Site Location
Route 31 - Corridor Profile Extension
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2.2 NaturalEnvironmentMajorWatershedsMajorfeaturesofthenaturalenvironmentwerealsoidentifiedaspartoftheRoute31CorridorProfileeffort.Figure9showsthemajorwatershedareaswithintheRoute31studyarea.Inadditiontomajorwatersheds,thefigurealsoindicatesimpairedwaterwaysinthestudyarea.UndertheCleanWaterAct,states,territories,andauthorizedtribesarerequiredtodeveloplistsofimpairedwaterways.Thesearewatersthataretoopollutedorotherwisedegradedtomeetthewaterqualitystandardssetbystates,territories,orauthorizedtribes.ThelawrequiresthatthesejurisdictionsestablishpriorityrankingsforwatersonthelistsanddevelopaTotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)forthesewaters.ATMDLisacalculationofthemaximumamountofpollutantthatawaterbodycanreceiveandstillsafelymeetwaterqualitystandards.Accordingtothemap,theKendallReservoirinthetownofHoldenretainsitsuse,especiallyasadrinkingwatersupply.InPaxton,theEamesPondandTurkeyHillBrookrequireaTMDL.ThompsonsPond,inthetownofSpencer,isimpaired,butitisnotcausedbyapollutantwhiletheSevenmileRiveralsorequiresaTMDL.EnvironmentalProfilesTypicallyincludedaspartofongoingCorridorProfileefforts,EnvironmentalProfilemapshavebeenpreparedfortheRoute31study.Suchmapsallowtheusertoviewmajorenvironmentalsystems,beyondtheedgeofthestudycorridor,thathaveimpactsonsuchthingsasdrainage,waterqualityandwildlifemigration.Thesemapsofthestudyareashowingmajorenvironmentalfeatureswerecompiledfromthefollowingkeyresources.DepartmentofConservationandRecreation(DCR)ThemissionofDCRistoprotect,promoteandenhanceourcommonwealthofnatural,culturalandrecreationalresources.GeographicDatalayersaremanagedbydivisionswithinDCR.
DivisionofStateParksandRecreationThisdivisionprotectslandandresourcesonprivatelyandmunicipallyheldlandthroughtechnicalassistance,grantandplanningprograms,policydevelopment,andotherservices.
ForestStewardshipProgramThisnonregulatoryprogramisdesignedtohelplandownersprotecttheinherentecosystemvaluesoftheirforest.
DivisionofWaterSupplyProtectionManagesandprotectsthedrinkingwatersupplywatershedsforGreaterBoston.
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILEI
Watersheds and Impaired WatersFigure 9
PAXTON
FRENCH
BLACKSTONE
NASHUA
QUINEBAUG
CHICOPEE190
290
290
395
90
90
SPENCER
HOLDEN
190
1 in = 2 milesLegend
2 - Attaining some uses3 - No uses assessed4A - TMDL is completed4C - Impairment not caused by a pollutant5 - Waters requiring a TMDL
Water Body (Lakes, Estuaries) Category
3 - No uses assessed4A - TMDL is completed4C - Impairment not caused by a pollutant5 - Waters requiring a TMDL
Water Body (Rivers) Category2 - Attaining some uses
- Major Watershed Boundary
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DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP)MassDEPisresponsibleforensuringcleanairandwater,safemanagementandrecyclingofsolidandhazardouswastes,timelycleanupofhazardouswastesitesandspills,andthepreservationofwetlandsandcoastalresources.Itincludes:
DivisionofWatershedManagement(DWM) WatershedPlanningProgram(WPP)Contaminatedwatereliminatesdrinkingwater
supplies,degradesourrecreationalwaterresourcesanddestroyswildlifehabitat.Waterthatdoesnotsoakintothegroundiscalledrunoff.Propermanuremanagementandrunoffmanagementwillprotectorimprovewaterqualityinanycommunityandwatershed.GeographicdatalayersarefromanintegratedlistfromDWMandWPPandinclude: ImpairedWaterways(typicallyduetophosphorous,metals,andpathogensfrom
sewageandfarmingsuseofmanureaswellasothercontaminants) ImpairedWaterbodies MonitoredWaterways ZoneII(WellheadProtectionAreas)
BureauofResourceProtection(BRP)TheWetlandsProtectionActprotectswetlands
andthepublicintereststheyserve,includingfloodcontrol,preventionofpollutionandstormdamage,andprotectionofpublicandprivatewatersupplies,groundwatersupply,fisheries,landcontainingshellfish,andwildlifehabitat.Thesepublicinterestsareprotectedbyrequiringacarefulreviewofproposedworkthatmayalterwetlandsorbufferzones.
NationalHeritage&EndangeredSpeciesProgram(NHESP)TheoverallgoaloftheNHESPistheprotectionofthestate'swiderangeofnativebiologicaldiversity.NHESPisresponsiblefortheconservationandprotectionofhundredsofspeciesthatarenothunted,fished,trapped,orcommerciallyharvestedinthestate.Availablegeographicdatalayersinclude:
CertifiedVernalPools PotentialVernalPools BioMapCoreHabitatThisdepictsthemostviablehabitatsforrarespeciesin
Massachusetts. BioMapSupportingNaturalLandscape PriorityHabitatsofRareSpeciesThesearethegeographicalextentsofhabitatfor
allstatelistedrarespecies,bothplantsandanimals.TheyareofficiallyusedundertheMassachusettsEndangeredSpeciesAct(MESA).
Generatedbycombiningvariousdatalayersfromtheabovelistedagencycontributors,Figures10,11and12wereproduced.Abufferareaofgeneralinterest,amilewideinwidthcenteredonRoute31,isindicated.
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Alsoproducedaspartofthisstudyeffort,preliminaryEnvironmentalProfileswerepreparedfortwoextensionsoftheCMMPOdefinedRoute31studyarea.ShowninFigure13isanEnvironmentalProfilepreparedforHoldensManningStreet,whichisusedtogainaccessto/fromI190inSterling.Figure14istheprofileforSpencersMeadowRoad,whichissimilarlyusedtogainaccessto/fromRoute9westandnearbyRoute49.Includedintheabovedescribedmaps,allthreetownshavepotentialvernalpools,alsoreferredtoasAreasofCriticalEnvironmentalConcern(ACECs),locatednearthestudycorridorthatneedtobeleftundisrupted.ManywetlandsareincludedinthemilewidebufferareaaroundRoute31,especiallyinthetownsofPaxtonandSpencer.Thepotentialforvariousrarespecieslivinginthesewetlandareasdoesexistandfurtherstudywouldbeneededtodefinetheirextentandwhat,ifany,actionswouldbeoverlydetrimentaltotheircontinuedexistence.TherearealsomanystreamcrossingsonRoute31withinallthreetowns.Withsomeofthesestreamsbeingimpairedwaterways,thereisaneedtobesensitivetotheseenvironmentalconcernswhenplanningfutureroadwayimprovements.TheKendallReservoirinthetownofHoldenisanotedwatersupplyprotectionareawherecaremustbetakentoavoidadverseenvironmentaleffects.Further,alargeportionoftheSevenMileRiverinthehostcommunityofSpencerisdesignatedasaZone2aquiferprotectionareaforSpencerpublicwatersupply(PWS).DrinkingwatersourcewellsincludingBridgeS12002andallriparianareasadjoiningMeadowRoad.Asanoverallobservation,Route31goesthroughvariousenvironmentallysensitiveareas.Inshort,whenimplementingthesuggestedimprovementoptionsselectedbythehostcommunities,caremustbetakentopreventadverseimpactstothesurroundingenvironment.Siltationfences,haybales,othererosioncontrolneedtobeused,evermindfulofnearbyvernalpoolsandothersensitivehabitat.
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN IEnvironmental ProfileFigure 10
PAXTON
Major Watersheds
")31
")31
")122A
")122A
Asnebumskit Pond
StreeterPond
Pine HillReservoir
DawsonPond
Holden ReservoirNumber 1
Kendall Reservoir ChaffinPond
Bryant Pond
Eagle Lake
StumpPond
Warren Tannery Brook
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Route 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone
Streams Intersecting Rt 31
0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.60.2Miles
HOLDEN
Rivers & Streams
Blackstone
Nashua
DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)
DEP Approved Zone IIs
Waterbodies Intersecting Rt 31
Waterbodies
Towns
NHESP Certified Vernal Poolsjk
Potential Vernal Pools/
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON IEnvironmental ProfileFigure 11
SPENCER
Warren Tannery Brook
Major Watersheds
")31
")31
HOLDEN
RUTLAND
")56
")56
")122
")122
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Route 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone Waterbodies
BLACKSTONE
CHICOPEE
NASHUA
Streams Intersecting Rt 31
0 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.20.15Miles
Towns
Turkey Hill Pond
Pine Hill Reservoir
Streeter Pond
Eames Pond
Thompson Pond Kettle Brook Reservoir Number 4
Kettle Brook Reservoir Number 3
PAXTON
Rivers & Streams
DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)
DEP Approved Zone IIs
NHESP Certified Vernal Poolsjk
Potential Vernal Pools/
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER IEnvironmental ProfileFigure 12
PAXTON
Major Watersheds
")31
")31
Lake Lashaway
Kittredge Dam Reservoir
Brooks Pond
SugdenReservoir
Lake Whittemore
Horse PondBrook Reservoir
BuckhillPond
ThompsonPond
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Route 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone
Streams Intersecting Rt 31Waterbodies
Waterbodies Intersecting Rt 31
")9
")9
")31
CiderMillpond
BurncoatPond
BowningPondEames Pond
LEICESTER
OAKHAM
NORTHBROOKFIELD
EASTBROOKFIELD 0 0.35 0.7 1.05 1.40.175Miles
FRENCH
CHICOPEE
Meadow
Road
Towns
SPENCER
Rivers & Streams
DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)
DEP Approved Zone IIs
NHESP Certified Vernal Poolsjk
Potential Vernal Pools/
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN ICorridor Extension Environmental ProfileFigure 13
190")31
")31
190
Raymond H
untington Hi
ghway
Manning S
treet
")140
")12
")140
")122A
PRINCETONSTERLING
WEST BOYLSTON
0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.60.2Miles
HOLDEN
Major WatershedsLegend
Stream crossings
1-Mile Buffer Zone
Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerRoute 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone
Route 31 Corridor Extension
Waterbodies
DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)
DEP Approved Zone IIs
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER ICorridor Extension Environmental ProfileFigure 14
NORTH BROOKFIELD
EASTBROOKFIELD
")9")9
")9
")49
")31
")31
Meadow
Road
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.80.1Miles
SPENCER
Major WatershedsLegend
Stream crossings
1-Mile Buffer Zone
Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Route 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone
DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)
Waterbodies
CHICOPEE
RIvers & Streams within 1-Mile buffer
Route 31 Corridor Extension
DEP Approved Zone IIs
NHESP Certified Vernal Poolsjk
Potential Vernal Pools/
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3.0 CONGESTIONMANAGEMENTPROCESS(CMP)3.1 OverviewoftheCentralMassachusettsCMPTheIntermodalSurfaceTransportationEfficiencyActof1991(ISTEA)requiredurbanareasacrossthecountrytoassesstrafficcongestionusingamanagementsystemapproach.Briefly,amanagementsystemapproachisonewhereissuesareidentifiedthroughasystematicprocessofdatacollectionandanalysis,recommendationsaredevelopedtoaddresstheissues,solutionsareimplemented,andtheireffectivenessismonitored.FortheCentralMassachusettsMetropolitanPlanningOrganization(CMMPO),staffatCMRPCbegandevelopingtheregionsCongestionManagementSystem(CMS)in1994.Thefirststepwastoidentifyfocussegments,roadwayswherethetrafficvolumeontheroadwaywasexceedingtheoperationalcapacity.AccordingtotheHighwayCapacityManual,aroadwayscapacityisdefinedasthemaximumhourlyrateatwhichpersonsorvehiclescanreasonablybeexpectedtotraverseapointoruniformsectionofalaneorroadwayduringagiventimeperiodunderprevailingroadway,trafficandcontrolconditions.Beginningin1995,CMRPCstaffproceededtoverifyandmonitorthecongestedconditionsinthefieldbyconductingaseriesoftraveltimeanddelaystudiesalongroadwaysandturningmovementcountsatintersections.ThelocationofthesedatacollectionactivitiescouldbeindicatedbyCMRPCsTrafficDemandModelorassuggestedbyoneofthecommunitiesintheCMRPCregion.The2006Safe,Accountable,Flexible,EfficientTransportationEquityAct:ALegacyforUsers(SAFETEALU)calledfortheCMStobeevolvedintoaCongestionManagementProcess(CMP),withagreaterfocusonimplementationofoperationalimprovementstothehighwaysystemtomitigatecongestion.ThisCorridorProfileprovidesthebaselinedataneededtocoordinatesuchimprovementswiththeMassDOTDistrict#3officeaswellaswiththecommunitiesthroughwhichthehighwaytravels.3.2 DailyTrafficVolumesFigures15through17showlocationsalongRoute31inthetownsofHolden,Paxton,andSpencerwhereCMRPCsetAutomaticTrafficRecorders(ATRs)togatherthevolumeoftraffic.ThemajorityofthelocationswerecompletedinMayof2013.TheATRswereinstalledalongtheroadwayandleftdownforatleast48hours.TherewereelevenlocationscompletedforRoute31,onelocationonManningStreet,andtwolocationsonMeadowRoad.Table2showsthevolumeresultsfromtheRoute31ATRlocations.Asthedatashows,thehighesttrafficvolumesinHoldenarenearRoute122A,droppingsignificantlyatthePaxtontownline.InthetownofPaxton,volumesrangefromahighof6,000betweenHoldenRoadandMapleStreettoalowof3,500attheSpencertownline.InSpencer,volumesarethelowestnorthofHastingsRoadandbetween6,000and7,000fortherestofRoute31.
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
ITraffic Count LocationsFigure 15
")31
")68
PRINCETON
WORCESTER
1 in = 0.79 miles
WEST BOYLSTON
")122A
RUTLAND
")122A
")31
")12
")140
")31
Manning S
treet
Raymond H
untington Hi
ghwaySTERLING
190
190
190
Legend
Interstate
State RouteRoads
Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
ATR
HOLDEN
Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
ITraffic Count LocationsFigure 16
")31
")122
")56
RUTLAND
LEICESTER
")31
1 in = 0.75 miles
HOLDEN
")122
")56
SPENCER
PAXTON
ATR
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerState Route
Roads
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
ITraffic Count LocationsFigure 17
")9
")31
")148
")49
NORTH BROOKFIELD
OAKHAM
PAXTON
LEICESTER
EAST
BROO
KFIELD
")9
")9
")31
")31
1 in = 0.75 miles
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Roads
ATR
Meadow
Road
SPENCER
State Route
Route 31 Corridor Extensions
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Town ATRLocation Date Volume*
Holden ManningStreet@WestBoylstonTownLine** 5/2/2013 7,050
Route31northofRoute122A 5/2/2013 7,950
Route31southofRoute122A 5/2/2013 12,550
Route31northofReservoirStreet 5/7/2013 7,750
Route31@PaxtonTownLine 5/7/2013 5,575
Paxton Route31(GroveStreet)betweenHoldenRd&MapleSt 5/7/2013 6,375
Route31eastofRoute56 5/7/2013 3,950
Route31westofRoute122 5/7/2013 5,925
Route31westofRoute122*** 4/9/2013 5,900
Route31@SpencerTownLine 5/21/2013 3,525
Spencer Route31southofHastingsRoad 6/6/2013 5,450
Route31northofWireVillageRoad 5/21/2013 7,000
Route31northofWireVillageRoad*** 4/9/2013 6,925
Route31northofRoute9 5/23/2013 5,900
MeadowRoadsouthofRoute31** 5/23/2013 4,600
MeadowRoadnorthofRoute9** 5/23/2013 5,825
*VehiclesPerDay(VPD)**AdditionalATRLocationsRequestedByHostCommunities***RecentMassDOTConductedCountsStatewideTrafficMonitoringEffort
Route31CorridorProfileExistingDailyTrafficVolumes
Table2
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3.3 Route31TravelTimeandDelayStudiesCMRPCstaffconductedtwotraveltimeanddelaystudiesin2012forthisCorridorProfile.ThetraveltimedatawascollectedbyCMRPCusingaGlobalPositioningSystem(GPS)unit.Afterthefielddatawascollected,itwasdownloadedintoTravTimesoftware(developedbyGeoStats)inordertoanalyzethedata.AsindicatedinTable3,travelingfromRoute122AinHoldentoRoute122inPaxtontookaboutanaverageofeightminutesheadingnorthboundorsouthbound.FromRoute122inPaxtontoRoute9inSpencer,ittookabout12minutesineachdirection.
Table3
Route31TravelTimeandDelayStudyResults
PeakPeriod Direction StudyYear Distance TravelTime(averageminutes)
AMHolden/Paxton Southbound 2012 4.7miles 8.2AMHolden/Paxton Northbound 2012 4.7miles 8.6PMHolden/Paxton Southbound 2012 4.7miles 8.6PMHolden/Paxton Northbound 2012 4.7miles 8.1AMPaxton/Spencer Southbound 2012 8.3miles 11.9AMPaxton/Spencer Northbound 2012 8.3miles 12.1PMPaxton/Spencer Southbound 2012 8.3miles 11.8PMPaxton/Spencer Northbound 2012 8.3miles 11.8
Figures18through25illustratethevehiclespeedsforeachseparatenorthboundandsouthboundtripalongRoute31observedin2012.Route31wasanalyzedintwosegments.ThefirstsegmentstartsatRoute122AinHoldenandendsatRoute122inPaxton.TheaveragevehiclespeedobservedforthissegmentofRoute31wasabout35mphinbothdirections.Theslowestvehiclespeedsarenearthestartandendpoints.ThesecondsegmentstartsatRoute122inPaxtonandendsatRoute9inSpencer.Theaveragevehiclespeedforthissegmentisnear40mphinbothdirections.Thereisverylittledelayforthissegmentheadingineitherdirection.TheslowestspeedsarebetweenMeadowRoadandRoute9andnearthePaxtontownline.
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3.4 Route31IntersectionsExistingPeakHourTrafficVolumesCMRPCconductedTurningMovementCounts(TMCs)atnumerousfocusintersectionsforthisCorridorStudy.Mostcountsweredonein2013,butafewwerecompletedin2011and2012.EveryeffortwasmadetocompletetheseTMCsduringpeakflowmonthswhileschoolwasinsession.Inaddition,abalancingexercisewasconductedtoaccountforboththetypicaladditionandlossoftrafficvolumebetweenadjacentstudyintersectionsduetolocalstreets,sitedrivesservingmajorlanduses,andotherprivatedriveways,aswellasthenaturalstatisticalfluctuationencounteredwhenturningmovementcountsareconductedondifferentdays.ThesebalancedvolumesareindicatedinFigures26to31asexistingAMandPMpeakhourtrafficflows.ThecompleteTMCdatasheetshavebeenprovidedinthedocumentsTechnicalAppendix.
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IExisting Traffic FlowsAM Peak Hour PeriodFigure 26
")31
")68
PRINCETON
WORCESTER
WEST BOYLSTON
")122A
RUTLAND
")122A
")31
")12
")140
")31
Raymond H
untington
HighwaySTERLING
190
190
190
Manning S
treet
!
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!
ROUT
E 31
ROUTE 122A
55127145
7417728544366133
3875813
ROUTE 31
RESE
RVO
IR S
T
MIX
TER
RD
03688
4169100
4 1 56
1 0 10
HOLDEN
RO
UTE
31
HOLDEN COMMONS
296 64 379
522 9
1 in = 0.79 miles
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Interstate
State Numbered Routes
Other Roadways
Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension
MANNING ST
ROUTE 31
85 400
109218
25183
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.
IExisting Traffic FlowsPM Peak Hour PeriodFigure 27
")31
")68
PRINCETON
WORCESTER
WEST BOYLSTON
")122A
RUTLAND
")122A
")31
")12
")140
")31
Raymond H
untington
HighwaySTERLING
190
190
190
Manning S
treet
!
!
!
!
ROUT
E 31
ROUTE 122A
31274162
16119122982766380
2245368
ROUTE 31
RESE
RVO
IR S
T
MIX
TER
RD
22115
1233185
9 1 115
3 5 11
HOLDEN
RO
UTE
31
HOLDEN COMMONS
443 269 17932
404 32
1 in = 0.79 miles
LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer
Interstate
State Numbered Routes
Other Roadways
Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension
MANNING ST
ROUTE 31
74355
219 224
35113
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ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON
Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning C