Shrewsbury Street and Doyle Road Improvement Project

VIDEO: Holden Roadway Upgrade Overview

Click on the image below to watch a presentation from Holden Town Officials about the goals for the Shrewsbury Street and Doyle Road Improvement Project.

Shrewsbury Street Roadway Improvements Presentation [October 5, 2022]

Click on the image below to download a printable PDF. 

Proposed Improvements

The proposed project consists of improvements to approximately a 1.15-mile section of the Shrewsbury Street Corridor, including portions of Main Street, Holden Street, Chapel Street and Doyle Road. Proposed improvements include the reconstruction of the existing traffic signals at the intersections of Shrewsbury Street with Main Street, and Chapel and Holden Streets, as well as construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Shrewsbury Street with Mount View Drive and Doyle Road. The project is programmed in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2023.

The project includes roadway widening and geometric improvements at the various intersections, along with traffic signal upgrades, safety improvements, and pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The project also includes an 8-foot separated shared-use path that runs the full length of the project that will be a dedicated walking and bicycling path. Other enhancements include new storm drain improvements, granite curb, concrete sidewalks, and landscaping features. 

Why is this Project Important?

• Outdated signal equipment (Doyle Road, Holden Street and Chapel Street)
• Proximity to Mountview Middle School – heavy pedestrian and bicyclist potential
• Crosswalks and curb cuts are not accessible to the disabled or do not exist
• Reduce traffic congestion and improve safety at the major intersections
• Improve stormwater drainage

Project Cost

• Town cost – Estimated $1-1.5 million total in Design and Right-of-Way Acquisition costs funded or to be funded through State Chapter 90 Road Aid. Approximately $700K already invested to-date in project development process.
• Project Construction cost – Estimated $11 to $12 Million, funded by State and Federal Highway Administration. If Town does not proceed with the State funded project, the Town would still need at least $3 million to make the basic traffic signal, sidewalk, paving, accessibility and safety improvements needed for this corridor.  

Right of Way Impacts

There are a few locations, primarily at intersections, that require permanent property easements by MassDOT or the Town of Holden for roadway widening, utility pole relocation, and the proposed shared-use path. Other, temporary construction easements will be required to accommodate grading at driveways, along the back of sidewalk, and along the proposed shared use path. 

Project Goals

• Improve Walking and Biking Routes to Mountview Middle School (Separated Shared Use Path)
• Improved and Safer Intersections and Traffic Flow
• Upgraded Traffic Signal Equipment
• Full Roadway Re-Construction
• Fully Compliant Sidewalks and Ramps on Both Sides of the Road for the Full Length of the Corridor
• Improved, New Fully Accessible Crosswalks and Curb Cuts
• Upgraded Stormwater Drainage

Watch Traffic Simulations of Current Project Area Conditions and the Proposed Improvements

Videos created by the Town’s traffic engineers shows how traffic would flow after a series of roadway improvements are installed near the Mountview Middle School and Doyle Road intersections.

Two traffic simulations were produced to model the existing traffic conditions (based on a 2019 study) and the proposed traffic patterns utilizing the design plans in 2029. Both videos reflect peak morning commuting hours. 

• Existing conditions: https://youtu.be/hVWtXy5t3co
• Proposed design: https://youtu.be/YWNVSHxEAl0
• Click on the following link to view a split-screen video comparison: https://youtu.be/85_l9xlSb7E

Spread the word!

Download a printable PDF brochure with project information.

To view the most current documents below please click on the link

• 100% Design Plans
• Preliminary Right of Way Plans

To view the previous versions of the Plans below please click on the link

• MassDOT Public Hearing for the 75% Design
• 75% Design Plans
• Click Here to View 25% Design Plans
• Click Here to View Pre - 25% Design Plans
• Click Here to View 10% Design Plans

To review and submit comments on the Shrewsbury St. Project please click on the link

• Click Here to View all Comments Regarding the Shrewsbury Street and Doyle Road Improvement Project
• Click Here to Submit a Comment on this Project to the Holden DPW

Update as of 1/21/22

The Department of Public Works wishes to provide the Residents of Holden, and other interested parties in Town with an update on the development of the Shrewsbury Street and Doyle Road Improvement Project. The most recent accomplishment for this project was the submission of the 25% design plans to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).  Please click on the "25% Design Plan" link above to view the most recent plans and provide any comments.

The official 25% Design Public Hearing, hosted by MassDOT, has been scheduled for February 23, 2022.  The meeting will be hosted virtually.  A copy of the MassDOT notice is available here, containing a link to the live hearing.

Update as of 5/2/19

Since the first public meeting held on January 9, 2019, the DPW has worked with its engineering consultants to make changes to the design presented at that meeting.  The DPW has also met with various Town officials to get feedback on the current proposed design.  Design changes include shifting of the roadway in several places to minimize abutter impacts, decreasing the size of the Shrewsbury Street/Holden and Chapel Streets intersection, evaluation of three options for the Shrewsbury Street and Doyle Road intersection, and creating turning restrictions at the Brattle Street and Doyle Road intersection.  Revised plans can be viewed by clicking on the link above.

As a result of these changes, the DPW is holding a second public meeting on May 8, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main Street.

Update as of 12/21/18

A public meeting will be held on January 9, 2019 at 7:00 pm at the Holden Municipal Light Department Community Meeting Room, 1 Holden St. The preliminary design plans will be presented at this meeting and the Town is seeking public input. This project design is in its early stages, and is subject to change based upon input from members of the Public, Town staff, and Town board and committee members, as well as MassDOT staff. Click her for preliminary plans.

Letter to Residents: First Public Meeting

Update as of 9/19/18

The Town has received a letter from MassDOT confirming that the Shrewsbury St and Doyle Rd project is eligible for Federal Aid Highway funding under the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Town will present this project to the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) in January seeking selection in the TIP program for FY2024.

August 20, 2018

Subject:           Shrewsbury Street and Doyle Road Improvement Project

Dear Property Owner:

The Town of Holden has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to apply for federal and state Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) monies for a project to improve portions of Shrewsbury Street and Doyle Road.  The purpose of the project is to provide safety improvements along Shrewsbury Street, from Main Street (Route 122A) to Doyle Road, and along Doyle Road, from Shrewsbury Street to Brattle Street, for a total distance of approximately 1.3-miles.  The project development process will take a number of months to complete, and will include opportunities for affected residents and business owners to provide inputs and comments on the project design.  The benefits of the project include the ability to safely and efficiently accommodate traffic and to provide safe pedestrian and bicycle access to the residences and businesses located along this corridor.  Construction is not expected to take place until 2023 or 2024, based upon available funding projections by MassDOT.

As part of the preliminary design phase for the project, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has engaged with an engineering consultant to perform a survey and prepare a preliminary, 10-percent design phase plan.  Surveyors will be expected to be performing the field survey during August and September.  The field survey will include gathering information about topography, land features, utilities and wetland delineations in the project corridor.  Following the creation of the 10-percent design plan, a public meeting will be held to present the preliminary planning and concepts for the roadway design, receive feedback and comments from the public, and explain the future steps of the project development process.       

Updates and additional information will be provided on the Town’s website (www.holdenma.gov), its Facebook page, as well as the DPW’s Twitter account, @HoldenDPW.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming field survey, or the project in general, please contact the Department of Public Works at 508-210-5550.

Sincerely,

John R. Woodsmall, III, P.E.

Director of Public Works