ERVING – Residents voiced concerns and provided feedback to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and Green International Affiliates Inc., who presented Erving Center Route 2 redesign proposals Wednesday night in Erving.

The redesigns highlighted two areas within Erving Center, including the intersection of Mountain Road and Route 2, and the intersections of Route 2 and Church, North, High and East Prospect streets. 

Nick Millhollin, a project manager with Green International Affiliates, detailed existing issues within this section of Route 2 and the study conducted by the firm used to inform the project.

Vehicles speeding into Erving Center from Route 2 and off of side streets, a narrow roadway, the lack of a crosswalk at Mountain Road and Gary Street and no bus stop location in Erving Center were all addressed.

The design proposals seek to mitigate these issues. For example, one included a pedestrian crosswalk on Mountain Road. Another calls for raised islands on North Street to create a visual separation from the state highway to the urban roads and reduce traffic speeds.

The Church Street intersection had two proposals, including a single-lane roundabout and a mini-roundabout. The single-lane would require more vehicle maneuvering to create a decrease in speed. The High Street intersection proposal included more raised islands ahead of entering the proposed single-lane roundabout at Church Street, with a crosswalk across Route 2 and at the High Street entrance to Route 2. This is designed to decrease vehicle speeds.

The East Prospect Street proposal included information on issues such as a lack of sight distance for drivers and challenging geometry of the existing roadway.

Notably, the proposal for a single-lane roundabout at the Church Street intersection was met with audible jeers. Questions as to how a tractor trailer may navigate the roundabout along with incoming vehicle speeds were expressed. Millhollin stated that simulations showed the tractor trailers could navigate the roundabout through braking, but the noise around air brakes in a residential area, along with speed, were points of contention.

Throughout the presentation, concerns of speed, large vehicle access, residential and business impact, traffic volume and pedestrian safety were made to MassDOT and Green International.

Reactions from residents

Following the 90-minute presentation and discussion, MassDOT and Millhollin took questions from attendees. Millhollin expected the strong feedback, and appreciated the chance to hear about the proposals, so that redesigns can be done for future presentations. Millhollin explained that this initial design proposal is roughly 10% of the project, and won’t see competition for several years. 

“It’s what I expected,” Millhollin said. “It’s a community that’s very involved with what goes in, and we’re very happy to have this kind of turnout, because it makes us more likely to put in something that everyone’s going to be on board with.”

MassDOT Senior Project Manager Anni Autio echoed the appreciation for the community response.

“This project really belongs to the residents,” Autio said. “We want people to be engaged and to be pleased with the safety aspects of what we can push for.”

Town Administrator Bryan Smith explained that the idea for a redesign of Route 2 began in the late 1990s, following continued safety concerns about the roadway. A process for a redesign began in 2012 and MassDOT was met with opposition from the community.

“This conversation with the residents has not happened in almost a decade. The town… have been having conversations with MassDOT about getting ready to have this conversation,” Smith said.

In 2020, MassDOT and the Town of Erving sought to readdress the redesign project, but plans were disrupted by the pandemic. Smith said MassDOT continued to work with the town to see the project through.

“MassDOT was willing to assign design funding for Green [International Affiliates Inc.] to come on board and take this,” Smith said.

Smith notes that this redesign project would likely cost millions. Further community feedback sessions will be scheduled as design proposals are made available.

Following the meeting, Church Street resident Linda Downs-Bembury explained that she worries for pedestrian safety. She explained that she appreciates the proposals, but disagrees with the roundabout at Church Street.

“I’m very impressed with everything that they presented in terms of being able to slow and quiet the traffic down, but I don’t agree with everything, especially the roundabout,” Downs-Bembury said.

In reflecting on the meeting, she said she is pleased with the shared goal between the citizens, MassDOT and Green International Affiliates Inc. to increase safety on Route 2.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.