Widening Route 9 Discussed in Transportation Secretary Visit

Press release submitted by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey visited the 495/MetroWest Partnership on Friberg Parkway in Westborough on Jan. 30. Davey was in town to discuss the governor's plan to create jobs and expand economic opportunity throughout Massachusetts. 

Davey highlighted the new growth opportunities and quality of life infrastructure improvements in store for the region as part The Way Forward: A 21^st-Century Transportation Plan and also discussed strategies to build a 21st century public education system. 

“The business community has chosen to anchor itself in this region,” said Davey. “To keep business thriving across the Commonwealth, we must invest in our infrastructure and our education system. The next generation must be better educated than the last and our transportation network needs to be able to carry the current workforce and strong enough to support growth.” 

Specifically, the Secretary announced a $12 million investment included in The Way Forward which would fund the widening of Route 9 between Computer Research Drive in Westborough and Crystal Pond Road in Southborough, intersection improvements at Route 9 and Crystal Pond Road and improvements to Research Drive/Connector Road.

More than 300 businesses, employing nearly 14,000 workers, are located in the vicinity of the I-495/Route 9 and I-495/I-90 interchanges. Daily commuters to companies such as, EMC Corp or Global Investment Servicing face congestion, high accident rates, and inadequate accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.

In the State of the Commonwealth address and in his budget announcement earlier this month, the governor laid out a plan to help grow jobs by making investments in education, innovation and infrastructure and expand opportunity in the near-term, and strengthen our Commonwealth in the long-term.  

Patrick's plan cuts the sales tax from the current rate of 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent and raises the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent. The total projected savings from those measures, if enacted by the Legislature, will be over $100 million annually. The governor’s proposals will support important investments in our infrastructure to pay the bills the Commonwealth inherited from the Big Dig, maintain existing infrastructure, promote regional equity and make targeted expansions to unlock long-term economic development and reinvest in the Commonwealth’s education system by providing universal access to high quality early education, fully funding K-12 education and allowing extended school days in high-need schools; make college more affordable and accessible, and allow community colleges to expand their efforts.