Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Natick: Goodbye Exit 13, hello Exit 117

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation this weekend begins renumbering exits on the Mass Pike.

Natick’s exit—the one that goes to Rte. 30—will be switched from 13 to 117 when MassDOT gets to it.

According to MassDOT: “Exit signage panels will remain the same, just the numbers themselves will change. ‘Old Exit #’ signs, which will have a yellow background with black lettering, will be installed at key locations for a minimum of 2 years.”

exit 13

The change is mandated by the Federal Highway Administration, and the work to change and add signs will be 90% paid for through federal funding. The Commonwealth is making changes on all freeways it owns, with work beginning in October and slated to finish in mid-2021.

The new numbering system is based on the mile posts along the Pike, and is designed to make it easier for travelers to determine distances between exits. The state is working with mapping applications to stay in synch.

Massachusetts is one of just a few states that doesn’t already use the milepost-based number system.

The sign changes will take some getting used to for travelers, but businesses may also need to update their websites and marketing materials to include the updated exit numbers.

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Natick-Wellesley intersection at Bacon Street bridge to become safer

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Here’s good news for anyone who has ever driven, walked, run, or biked under the Bacon Street bridge at the Natick-Wellesley line on Rte. 135 (Central Street): The MBTA is working with the towns to make the intersection safer.

Look for work on sidewalk improvements and some sort of signaling light to happen as part of the ongoing bridge replacement project that could be done as soon as a year from now.

More on the effort on The Swellesley Report.

bacon street bridge

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Natick has a new bridge across Rte. 30

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Hey, it only took 12 seconds to put the new Cochituate Rail Trail bridge across Rte. 30 in Natick into place!

Not really, but Natick GIS’s Rich Ames posted a fun time-lapse video of the work that took place last night to connect the Natick and Framingham sections of the new rail trail.

The Framingham end of the 4-mile Cochituate Rail Trail is open, but the Natick section won’t be open until 2021.

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Cochituate Rail Trail bridge going over Rte. 30 Monday night

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Update (11/16/20):

Because of bad weather conditions, the Route 30 CRT bridge installation has been rescheduled until Monday night into Tuesday morning from 10PM-5AM, with the same roadway closure and traffic detours of Route 30 between Speen Street and Route 27.

The Natick and Framingham sections of the Cochituate Rail Trail will take a huge step toward uniting this weekend when the bridge over Rte. 30 is put in place between Sunday, Nov. 15 at 10pm and Monday, Nov. 16 at 5am.

bridge cochituate rail trail rte 30 natick

Rte. 30 will be reduced to one lane beginning at 8pm on Sunday so that the crane can be put in place and assembled. Then the road will be closed off at 10pm while the bridge is put in place.  Traffic will be routed to/from Route 30 by way of Route 27 to Route 9 to Speen Street.

The Rte. 9 bridge section of the trail was put into place in October.

The Framingham end of the 4-mile Cochituate Rail Trail is open, but the Natick section won’t be open until 2021.

cochituate rail trail speen 30

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Traffic experiment in Natick could get artsy

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Natick Center Cultural District and the Public Art Committee seek proposals for Traffic Calming Public Art  projects at the intersection of Rt. 27 and Rt. 135 for $500–$1,200 stipends. The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2021, and projects may include street paintings and murals that are bold and bright in design while still being respectful of the place.

Natick traffic calming posts

Any artist—amateur, professional, or art and educational institutions—willing to meet the requirements of the call for artists can apply to paint a traffic calming section. Participants from art educational institutions may consist of students, faculty, and alumni.

Proposals should be positive, original and colorful and may reflect the immediate environment; the character or culture of the Town of Natick; the history of the area; community pride; creativity;  or other themes.

A jury will make selection recommendations, and final approval will be made by the Public Art Committee and Natick’s Select Board.

Why Natick is excited about traffic calming

Natick has installed flexible white poles around the Rte. 27/Rte. 135 intersection in Natick Center as part of an experiment in traffic calming supported by a $25K state Shared Streets & Spaces grant that also enabled Natick to put in place temporary outdoor dining lanes in town.

Traffic calming is an urban design strategy that aims to slow down or reduce car traffic to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It is founded on the idea that streets are a key element of the public realm and should be designed to create a sense of place for people to work alongside cars, but not be dominated by them.

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