Long-awaited infrastructure improvements to the dangerous Rt 108 and 110 intersection in Haverhill have been passed with federal funding provided by the U.S House of Representatives yesterday. Congresswoman Lori Trahan sat with state and local leaders for a briefing on the infrastructure investments that are included in the INVEST in American Act that was passed by the U.S House of Representatives last month.
The bill will provide support for the Rt 108 and 110 intersection reconstruction which will facilitate bike and pedestrian safety improvements, as well as riverbank stabilization construction at the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority garage. Additionally, the funds allow for the purchase of new MVRTA vans for transporting the elderly and disabled populations.
A briefing led by local leaders such as the City of Haverhill’s Mayor James Fiorentini, MVPC, and the MVRTA, on August 10, 2021, with state officials to discuss the implications of the INVEST in America ACt funding. Congresswoman Trahan (MA-03) was joined by State Senator Diana DiZoglio (D-1st Essex), and State Representatives Andy Vargas (D-3rd Essex), Linda Dean Campbell (D-15th Essex), Christina Minicucci (D-14th Essex), and Lenny Mirra (R-2nd Essex), as well as Carrie Lavallee, Chief Engineer for MassDOT’s Highway Department, and Chris Kivoir with MassDOT’s Government Affairs Team.
The improvements will not only benefit the City of Haverhill but have impacts on the mobility of the rest of the region. A safe, multi-modal transportation network brings greater accessibility and quality of life to residents throughout the region.
“Addressing the roadway alignment at the Route 108/Route 110 intersection in Haverhill is an important project that will improve multiple modes of travel,” said Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Jerrard Whitten. “This location has been identified by MassDOT as a “Crash Cluster” and the proposed project will correct the alignment issues that contribute to the observed safety problems. This intersection is also used by large freight vehicles traveling to and from I-495 so the geometric adjustments that are planned will allow freight trucks to better traverse the intersection. As an additional benefit, with its close proximity to Winnekenni Park and Northern Essex Community College, the planned improvements will make bicycle and pedestrian crossings much safer. All of these factors were considered by the MVMPO in selecting this project for inclusion in the region’s FFYs 2021-2025 Transportation Improvement Program.”
In addition to the efforts put forth by MVPC at the MVMPO to include this area in the region’s FFYs 2021-2025 Transportation Improvement Plan, MVPC provided local technical assistance to assist the City with data collection at the Rt 108 and 110 intersection as well as provided pre-project design concepts for the intersection redesign. Additionally, we assisted in identifying freight truck bypasses that would mitigate congestion and heavy trucking through this area. We are pleased to see the improvements become a priority from the federal to the local level and look forward to the infrastructure investments that will come out of the INVEST in America Act.
Thank you to all the federal, state, and local advocates that have made this possible.
Check out the official press release here.
For more information about the work conducted by our Transportation Program check out our program overview.