State Officials Want to Help North Andover’s Roads

A state senate road improvement bill includes funding for North Andover.

State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr announced last week that of the $1.5 million dollars in the Senate’s Transportation Bond Bill, some of that money will go toward North Andover road improvements on Route 114.

“Over the years, this intersection and its surrounding major roadways have proven to be a concern for pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile traffic alike. Securing these funds through the Transportation Bond Bill is a vital next step for the town to be positioned to move forward in addressing these important concerns,” said State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives.

The proposed improvements will focus on findings from the Road Safety Audit requested by North Andover officials in 2013. That audit looked at Routes 114, 125 and 133.

According to the state, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation found that Route 114 has one of the highest reported incidents of car crashes in the region. The audit, which is the basis for the road improvement proposal, includes recommendations to best address these safety concerns on 114, including traffic signalization improvements, sidewalk construction, and increased accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Thanks to perseverance and partnership, this dangerous intersection is finally getting the attention it deserves. Thousands of pedestrians and motorists will be safer when these improvements are done, and our region will have a modern interchange that can handle growing volumes of traffic, education and business activity,” said Senator Bruce Tarr.