Memorandum To: General Public Information

From: Sarkis Sarkisian, Community Development Director

Date: April 7, 2004

Re: Route 135

History of the Project:

In early 1994, the Natick Conservation Commission explored the idea of receiving Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) funds for Route 135. The scope of the original concept was to provide a pedestrian link between the Natick Center and West Natick commuter rail stations. It also provides for improvements of Middlesex Avenue and Middlesex Path with a connection to Pegan Cove Park. Other improvements include landscape and street tree planting along Route 135 and at the Henry Wilson Cobbler Shop.

In 1995, the Massachusetts Highway Department contacted the Town about assuming control of state-owned stretches of Route 135 in Natick. This project is being funded by the Mass Highway Department at a total cost of $3,500,000. Under the direction of the Community Development Office, the scope of each project was slightly altered so that the projects would occur simultaneously and was coordinated for construction.

In 1998, Natick Town Meeting approved the Underground Utilities Project, which buried telephone and electrical wires along Route 135 from Clarendon Street to Mulligan Street, including the portion of Clarendon between the Library and the Police Station. This project was completed this past spring at a cost of $300,000.

The Town of Natick, in conjunction with Natick Center Associates, received grant monies in 1999 to improve Washington Street from East Central Street to South Avenue. These improvements included burying the utilities and adding street trees, ornamental lighting, brick feature strips, granite curbing, and concrete sidewalks.

About the Project:

The Route 135 Roadway Improvements and Maintenance Project begins on West Central Street at the Framingham Town Line and extends 14,400 feet east to Downtown Natick. It then continues on East Central Street 7,930 feet to the Wellesley Town Line. A 1,300-foot section of South Main Street (Route 27) between Downtown Natick and Cottage Street is also included in the Project. The total Project length is 23,630 feet (4.5 miles). Route 135 has approximately 24,000 vehicle trips per day through Natick.

The Project has been divided into two distinct sections, each with its own unique purpose and goals. The most extensive work will be performed on East Central Street, in the Downtown Natick area between North Main Street and Union Street and two adjacent side streets: Clarendon and Hayes Streets. In this area, pavement rehabilitation will be supplemented by geometric and signalization improvements, including sidewalk and streetscape enhancements such as ornamental lighting, street trees, and brick pavers. The purpose of the work proposed for this section of the project is to improve overall pedestrian and vehicular safety by better defining and channelizing traffic operations within the roadway and improving street crossing areas. Neckdowns are proposed at critical locations throughout the downtown area. The neckdowns enhance pedestrian safety at crosswalk locations for several reasons: they provide the pedestrian with safe refuge where they can see on-coming traffic unimpeded by parked vehicles, they slow traffic and they reduce the length of the crosswalk, which reduces the distance pedestrians must travel to cross the street. One of the many features is a lighted crosswalk with a pedestrian signal in front of Town Hall. Proper Bike signage will also be added.

The remaining portions of this project are considered a maintenance project. The proposed work in these sections consists of cold planing and resurfacing the majority of the existing roadway, with full depth pavement replacement proposed in areas where the existing pavement is severely deteriorated. The proposed work also includes installation of curbing required to fill the gaps within the existing curbing and provide a consistent gutter-line, the reconstruction of existing sidewalks, and the installation of new concrete or bituminous sidewalks where none exist to provide a continuous pedestrian path throughout the project corridor.