MassDOT to Begin Changes to Area Around Mass Pike Exit at Newton Corner

The following announcement came from a newsletter sent out by Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will begin work in a few weeks on some immediate changes to the complicated convergence in Newton Corner where there are exit and entrance ramps to the Mass Pike that intersect with major streets (Washington Street, Centre Street, Galen Street, Charlesbank Road, Park Street and more).

These changes are primarily focused on safety concerns and involve an upgrade to one traffic signal and the addition of another, quite different signal operations, a marked change in the use of lanes via different pavement markings, and new signage in and around the Newton Corner circle.

The Newton Corner Short-Term Improvement Project is the first step in MassDOTs mid- and longer-term improvement projects at these roads and highway ramps over the Mass Pike.

We know this is an inhospitable area for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. We need MassDOT to make significantly more improvements in addition to this first project.

The Turnpike down below, all the on- and off-ramps, and many segments of the circle up above are owned by the State. Therefore this is a MassDOT project. Our residents, businesses and the City of Newton provide input, while MassDOT and their consultants take the lead in decision making (and pay for both the design and construction entirely with State and Federal funds).

Much of the work starting this fall will be completed this calendar year; some additional work will be completed in the spring of 2025 (notably the new, additional light on the northside of the area where Washington Street converges with the roadway by the hotel garage).

These investments are primarily designed to improve traffic safety and address backups, congestion, queuing and crashes on the Mass Pike Exit 127 eastbound (inbound) off-ramp into Newton Corner.

The most significant change is the replacement of and substantial modification to the traffic signal on the south side of the Newton Corner circle at Centre Street. This newly designed traffic signal will in essence control the two traffic streams  ̶  one from the Exit 127 eastbound off-ramp and the other from the rotary traffic. The two traffic streams will be forced to take turns. MassDOT designed this new traffic signal (and changes to the lanes/pavement markings) to:

• Eliminate the dangerous “weave” of the rotary traffic cutting across the Exit 127 eastbound off-ramp traffic to get to Centre Street.

• Provide the Exit 127 eastbound off-ramp traffic during every signal cycle with a “green light” to enter the rotary, which will reduce the off-ramp congestion and the “spillback” of the queue onto the Turnpike main line. This will improve safety and reduce congestion for everyone on the Pike. 

That’s the good news.

While MassDOT’s planned changes should improve safety and traffic backups on the Pike, MassDOT expects we may very well see impacts on traffic congestion and queuing around the Newton Corner circle.

In order to better manage these impacts, MassDOT has committed to installing a new, additional traffic signal at the Washington Street eastbound/Washington Street westbound merge (in front of Honda Village). This signal will be installed in the spring of 2025.

These significant construction operations are planned by MassDOT to begin on Monday, September 30.

Learn more about this project at a virtual Public Information Meeting hosted by MassDot on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Register to attend the meeting here. Email questions or comments to MassDOT at NewtonCornerImprovements@dot.state.ma.us.

In addition to this immediate Newton Corner Short-Term project, MassDOT is simultaneously doing longer-term planning for Newton Corner:

• The Newton Corner Mid-Term Improvements Project (https://www.mass.gov/newton-corner-improvements-project), which will make more comprehensive improvements to intersection geometry, traffic signals, pavement condition, and access for pedestrians and bicyclists. These improvements could be in place in roughly six to ten years.

• The Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study (https://www.mass.gov/newton-corner-long-term-planning-study), which is intended to develop a long-term vision for more comprehensive improvements to Newton Corner, encompassing all modes of travel as well as land use, environmental, and quality of life improvements. Such improvements would likely be 20+ years in the future.