More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.
The Town of Natick and its Transportation Advisory Committee are hosting an online public forum on June 10 at 7pm about the upcoming Route 9/27 Interchange Project.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation proposes ditching the cloverleaf design that’s been around since 1931 and replacing it with a “modified diverging diamond” scheme intended to improve safety and smooth travel.
Ask about Advertising on Natick Report.
Evidence of some big infrastructure improvements are all over Natick, with the Route 27/Cottage Street area project in full swing as part of Natick’s Five Year Roadway Improvement Plan.
As part of the work, Eversource Electric is relocating utility poles from the middle of the Cottage Street. sidewalk. The utility poles have made sidewalk snow clearing and sweeping a challenge and contributed to non-compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Cottage Street itself has been closed off during the major project.
You can find more information on the work here.
Thanks to sharp-eyed reader Dennis McCormick who sent along a couple of great pictures on the work-in-progress. “The heavy equipment shook foundations,” he reports.
Photo credit: Dennis McCormick
Photo credit: Dennis McCormick
Photo credit: Deborah BrownNatick Center Cultural District and the Public Art Committee last fall put out a call for proposals for the planned Traffic Calming Public Art projects at the intersection of Rt. 27 and Rt. 135. General parameters called for projects that were positive, original and colorful and that reflected the immediate environment; the character or culture of the Town of Natick; the history of the area; community pride; creativity; or other themes. Stipend of $500–$1,200 were thrown in to make things interesting.
The project, supported by a $25 K state Shared Streets & Spaces grant, must be implemented by Oct. 9, 2021.
Traffic experiment in Natick could get artsy
Stay calm, Natick: this is only a traffic test
The MBTA, which has reduced services across commuter rail and other modes of transportation during the pandemic, introduces a new schedule on April 5 that includes more regular trips throughout the day that stop at Natick’s two stations. Feeling flush with hundreds of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds, the T has begun restoring services across its bus, subway and commuter lines.
The T is going lighter on train frequency during traditional rush hour periods in the morning and late afternoon in light of changed commuter patterns, and introducing roughly hourly trips throughout the day. You’ll still have a few choices during rush hours, however.
The commuter rail remains fairly useless for those in Natick looking to attend events in Boston at night, especially on weekends, when the last trains from Boston leave at 9pm. Not that there are that many events going on these days.
The MBTA is taking advantage of the lack of passengers to speed ahead with accessibility improvements at the Natick Center station slated for completion in 2022. When work is completed, the station will include 2 new elevators, 2 accessible ramps, 6 stairways, new platform, pedestrian bridge, drainage improvements and bicycle parking.
Looks like the MBTA has introduced new single-rider commuter vehicles in light of low ridership on trains. But no, it's just a construction vehicle working on improvements at Natick Center station @MBTA_CR pic.twitter.com/HtSIVCxMOr
— Natick Report (@NatickReport) April 2, 2021
Over at the West Natick train station, workers are preparing to install solar panel canopies in the parking lot that could save on electricity costs and reduce snow removal burdens. Let’s hope it’s a more efficient operation than the one that took place in Hingham.
West Natick commuter rail station, where solar canopies will be installed
For now, this curious little solar panel installed a while back above a trash or recycling can is the starting point.
Major work on the MBTA’s Bacon Street Bridge Replacement on the Natick and Wellesley town line will take place beginning at 8PM on Friday, March 26 through 5AM on Monday, March 29. The around-the-clock work will be to install new bridge foundations at the track level.
To facilitate this weekend work, Bacon Street at Route 135/Central Street will be detoured beginning at 8PM on Friday, March 26 through 5AM on Monday, March 29. A signed detour route will be in place and a map can be viewed below.
Commuter Rail service will be suspended on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28. Alternate bus transportation will be provided.
You can sign up to get updates from the MBTA on its work. For questions or to report issues related to construction, please email BaconStBridge@mbta.com.
