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CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (CMMPO) Holden - Paxton - Spencer Route 31 Corridor Profile Prepared by the transportation staff of the September 2014 Prepared in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. The views and opinions of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation or the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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  • CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

    (CMMPO)

    Holden - Paxton - Spencer Route 31 Corridor Profile

    Prepared by the transportation staff of the

    September 2014 Prepared in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. The views and opinions of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation or the U.S. Department of Transportation.

  • TableofContents1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................1

    1.1 TransportationManagementSystemsIntegration:CorridorProfile..................11.2 PreviousCorridorProfileEfforts.............................................................................21.3 Route31CorridorProfile:Holden,Paxton,andSpencer......................................21.4 CorridorProfileWorkActivitiesDefinedinUPWP.................................................51.5 TechnicalAdvisoryGroupfortheRoute31CorridorProfile..................................61.6 HostCommunityObservations...............................................................................81.7 TownofHolden.......................................................................................................81.8 TownofPaxton.....................................................................................................111.9 TownofSpencer...................................................................................................13

    2.0 ROUTE31ENVIRONS........................................................................................................19

    2.1 HostCommunityLandUse...................................................................................192.2 NaturalEnvironment............................................................................................25

    3.0 CONGESTIONMANAGEMENTPROCESS(CMP)...............................................................34

    3.1 OverviewoftheCentralMassachusettsCMP......................................................343.2 DailyTrafficVolumes............................................................................................343.3 Route31TravelTimeandDelayStudies..............................................................393.4 Route31IntersectionsExistingPeakHourTrafficVolumes.................................483.5 PercentageofHeavyVehiclesUtilizingRoute31FocusIntersections.................553.6 Route31IntersectionsProjected2023PeakHourTrafficVolumes....................573.7 Route31IntersectionPeakHourLevelofService(LOS)Analyses.......................66

    4.0 SAFETYMANAGEMENTSYSTEM(SMS)...........................................................................68

    4.1 TownofHoldenCrashAnalysis.............................................................................704.2 TownofPaxtonCrashAnalysis.............................................................................754.3 TownofSpencerCrashAnalysis...........................................................................814.4 TownofSpencerAdditionalStudySegment:MeadowRoad..............................88

    5.0 PAVEMENTMANAGEMENTSYSTEM(PMS)....................................................................92

    5.1 PavementManagementConcepts.......................................................................925.2 TownofHoldenOverallConditionIndex(OCI)....................................................955.3 TownofPaxtonOverallConditionIndex(OCI).....................................................965.4 TownofSpencerOverallConditionIndex(OCI)...................................................96

    6.0 BRIDGES&MAJORDRAINAGESTRUCTURES..................................................................98

  • 6.1 StatewideBridgeManagementSystem(BMS).....................................................986.2 Route31CorridorProfileBridges.........................................................................986.3 TownofHolden.....................................................................................................996.4 TownofSpencer................................................................................................1006.5 MajorDrainageStructures.................................................................................101

    7.0 PUBLICTRANSPORTATION............................................................................................114

    7.1 RegionalandProfileAreaServices....................................................................1147.2 TownofHolden..................................................................................................1167.3 TownofPaxton..................................................................................................1167.4 TownofSpencer................................................................................................116

    8.0 ALTERNATIVEMODES...................................................................................................118

    8.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................1188.2 GreenDOT..........................................................................................................1188.3 MassDOTHealthyTransportation.....................................................................1188.4 HealthyTransportationPolicyDirective............................................................1198.5 CommunityHealthImprovementPlan(CHIP)...................................................1198.6 CompleteStreets...............................................................................................1208.7 BicyclingintheCorridor.....................................................................................1208.8 PedestrianFacilitiesandActivityintheCorridor..............................................1208.9 RegionalTrailsintheCorridor...........................................................................121

    9.0 OVERALLCORRIDORPROFILEFINDINGS......................................................................123

    9.1 Route31Intersections.......................................................................................1239.2 Route31RoadwaySegments............................................................................128

    10.0 SUGGESTEDIMPROVEMENTOPTIONS.........................................................................133

    10.1 CorridorWide....................................................................................................13310.2 TownofHolden..................................................................................................13710.3 TownofPaxxton................................................................................................14010.4 TownofSpencer................................................................................................144

    11.0 HOSTCOMMUNITYPROJECTPRIORITIZATION&PRELIMINARYCOSTESTIMATES...149

    11.1 TownofHolden..................................................................................................14911.2 TownofPaxton..................................................................................................15111.3 TownofSpencer................................................................................................15211.4 PotentialFundingSources.................................................................................154

  • ListofFigures

    Figure1 PreviousStudies.......................................................................................................3Figure2 HostCommunitiesofHolden,Paxton,andSpencer...............................................4Figure3 TownofHolden:IdentifiedCorridorDeficiencies................................................16Figure4 TownofPaxton:IdentifiedCorridorDeficiencies.................................................17Figure5 TownofSpencer:IdentifiedCorridorDeficiencies...............................................18Figure6 TownofHolden:MajorEmployers,TruckingGeneratorsandOther SignificantLandUses.............................................................................................22Figure7 TownofPaxton:MajorEmployers,TruckingGeneratorsandOther SignificantLandUses.............................................................................................23Figure8 TownofSpencer:MajorEmployers,TruckingGeneratorsandOther SignificantLandUses.............................................................................................24Figure9 WatershedsandImpairedWaterways..................................................................26Figure10 TownofHolden:EnvironmentalProfile...............................................................29Figure11 TownofPaxton:EnvironmentalProfile................................................................30Figure12 TownofSpencer:EnvironmentalProfile..............................................................31Figure13 TownofHolden:CorridorExtensionEnvironmentalProfile................................32Figure14 TownofSpencer:CorridorExtensionEnvironmentalProfile...............................33Figure15 HoldenTrafficCountLocations..............................................................................35Figure16 PaxtonTrafficCountLocations..............................................................................36Figure17 SpencerTrafficCountLocations............................................................................37Figure18 Route31SpeedProfile:Holden/PaxtonSouthboundAMPeakPeriod.........40Figure19 Route31SpeedProfile:Holden/PaxtonNorthboundAMPeakPeriod.........41Figure20 Route31SpeedProfile:Holden/PaxtonSouthboundPMPeakPeriod..........42Figure21 Route31SpeedProfile:Holden/PaxtonNorthboundPMPeakPeriod..........43Figure22 Route31SpeedProfile:Paxton/SpencerSouthboundAMPeakPeriod........44Figure23 Route31SpeedProfile:Paxton/SpencerNorthboundAMPeakPeriod........45Figure24 Route31SpeedProfile:Paxton/SpencerSouthboundPMPeakPeriod........46Figure25 Route31SpeedProfile:Paxton/SpencerNorthboundPMPeakPeriod........47Figure26 TownofHoldenRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod................49Figure27 TownofHoldenRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod................50Figure28 TownofPaxtonRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod................51Figure29 TownofPaxtonRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod................52Figure30 TownofSpencerRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod..............53Figure31 TownofSpencerRoute31ExistingTrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod..............54Figure32 TownofHoldenRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod...60Figure33 TownofHoldenRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod....61Figure34 TownofPaxtonRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod....62Figure35 TownofPaxtonRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod....63Figure36 TownofSpencerRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsAMPeakHourPeriod..64Figure37 TownofSpencerRoute31Projected2023TrafficFlowsPMPeakHourPeriod..65Figure38 VehicleCrashDiagram:HoldenRoute122A/Route31......................................72Figure39 VehicleCrashDiagram:PaxtonRoute31/Route56..........................................77Figure40 VehicleCrashDiagram:PaxtonRoute31/Route122........................................78Figure41 VehicleCrashDiagram:SpencerRoute31/MeadowRd/WireVillageRd.........83Figure42 VehicleCrashDiagram:SpencerRoute31/Route9/WallSt.............................84

  • Figure43 VehicleCrashDiagram:SpencerRoute9/MeadowRd/SouthSpencerRd.......90Figure44 Route31CorridorProfilePavementCondition.....................................................93Figure45 TownofHolden:MajorDrainageStructures......................................................103Figure46 TownofPaxton:MajorDrainageStructures......................................................104Figure47 TownofSpencer:MajorDrainageStructures....................................................105Figure48 TownofHolden:Route31MajorDrainageStructuresPhotos..........................111Figure49 TownofPaxton:Route31MajorDrainageStructuresPhotos..........................112Figure50 TownofSpencer:Route31MajorDrainageStructuresPhotos.........................113Figure51 WorcesterRegionalTransitAuthorityServiceArea............................................115Figure52 MidstateTrailAlignment.....................................................................................122Figure53 CorridorWideSuggestedImprovementOptions................................................135Figure54 TownofHolden:SuggestedImprovementOptions...........................................139Figure55 TownofPaxton:SuggestedImprovementOptions............................................142Figure56 ProposedRoute31(HoldenRoad)TIPProject#607250.....................................143Figure57 TownofSpencer:SuggestedImprovementOptions..........................................147Figure58 PotentialRealignment/StraighteningofRoute31Curve....................................148

  • ListofTables

    Table1 TechnicalAdvisoryGroupMembershipListing&MeetingDates.......................7Table2 Route31ExistingDailyTrafficVolumes..............................................................38Table3 Route31TravelTimeandDelayStudyResults...................................................39Table4 PercentageofHeavyVehiclesUtilizingRoute31FocusIntersections................56Table5 SiteSpecificBackgroundDevelopment...............................................................58Table6 IntersectionLevelofService(LOS)AnalysesResults: ExistingConditions&Projected2023Conditions...............................................67Table7 VehicleCrashRatesatFocusIntersections.........................................................69Table8 SummaryofReportedVehicleCrashesonRoute31intheTownofHolden......71Table9 HoldenRoute31VehicleCrashInventory........................................................73Table10 SummaryofReportedVehicleCrashesonRoute31intheTownofPaxton......76Table11 PaxtonRoute31VehicleCrashInventory........................................................79Table12 SummaryofReportedVehicleCrashesonRoute31intheTownofSpencer....82Table13 SpencerRoute31VehicleCrashInventory.......................................................85Table14 SummaryofReportedVehicleCrashesonMeadowRoadinthe TownofSpencer..................................................................................................89Table15 SpencerMeadowRoadVehicleCrashInventory..............................................91Table16 Route31PavementAnalysisRecommendations................................................94Table17 Route31CorridorProfileBridges........................................................................99Table18 Route31&MeadowRoadInventoryofMajorDrainageStructures...............106Table19 TownofHoldenRoute31FocusIntersections: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................125Table20 TownofPaxtonRoute31FocusIntersections: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................126Table21 TownofSpencerRoute31(&MeadowRoad)FocusIntersections: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................127Table22 TownofHoldenRoute31(&ManningStreet)RoadwaySegments: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................130Table23 TownofPaxtonRoute31RoadwaySegments: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................131Table24 TownofSpencerRoute31(&MeadowRoad)RoadwaySegments: OverallCorridorProfileFindings.......................................................................132Table25 IntersectionLevelofService(LOS)AnalysesResults: Projected2023DoNothingandPotentialFutureYearImprovements........136

  • 1.0 INTRODUCTION1.1 TransportationManagementSystemsIntegration:CorridorProfileACorridorProfilecombinestheinformationproducedbythetransportationManagementSystemsalongaparticularhighwaycorridor,ofteninmultiplehostcommunities,andanalyzesperformancebaseddata,suggestsbothoperationalandphysicalimprovements,andmayidentifycandidateprojectsforfurtherstudy.UtilizingtherangeofdataandanalysesproducedbytheongoingtransportationManagementSystemsmaintainedbythestaffoftheCentralMassachusettsRegionalPlanningCommission(CMRPC)andoverseenbytheCentralMassachusettsMetropolitanPlanningOrganization(CMMPO),CorridorProfileeffortsallowforthecomprehensiveintegrationthroughconsiderationofarangeofkeytransportationplanningfactors.Ultimately,abroadrangeofsuggestedimprovementoptionsarecompiledfortheconsiderationofthehostcommunitiesandMassDOTHighwayDivision.Whenlocalconsensusisreached,proposedimprovementprojectsacceptedbythecommunityeligibleforfederalaidfundinghavethepotentialtobeselectedbytheCMMPOforprogrammingintheannualTransportationImprovementProgram(TIP)document.Atthistime,thehighlycompetitiveTIPisessentiallyfullyproscribedforthefiscalyears2015to2018.TheRoute31CorridorProfileincludestheanalysisandinterpretationofarangeofManagementSystemdata,includingthefollowing:

    TrafficCounting:DailyAutomaticTrafficRecorder(ATR)countsandMassDOTHighwayDivisioncountdata

    CongestionManagementProcess(CMP):CurrentTravelTime&DelaystudiesalongRoute31;currentandfutureprojectedpeakhourTurningMovementCounts(TMC)atfocusintersectionsandassociatedLevelofService(LOS)analyses

    FreightPlanning:PeakhourpercentageofheavyvehiclesutilizingRoute31focusintersections

    TransportationSafetyPlanningProgram:IndepthvehiclecrashresearchincooperationwiththeHolden,Paxton,andSpencerPoliceDepartmentsutilizingathreeyearhistoryofreportedcrashesandsubsequentanalysis,includingthecompilationofcollisiondiagramsandcrashrates

    PavementManagementSystem(PMS):ObservationofpavementsurfacedistressandextentinthefieldalongwithsubsequentanalysisandcalculatedOverallConditionIndex(OCI)

    1

  • BridgeManagementSystem(BMS):BridgeconditiondataavailablethroughMassDOTHighwayDivision;GISbasedinventoryofmajorroadwaydrainagestructuresaswellaslocalobservationsinthefield

    Dependingonlocalsentimentandavailablefunding,thetechnicalworknecessarytocompileaCorridorProfileissupplementedbycustomizedpublicoutreachefforts.ThiscanrangefrombasicmeetingswithlocalofficialstotheformationofaTechnicalAdvisoryGrouporstudyTaskForcetoguidetheeffort.Asdeterminednecessary,specialmeetingscanalsobeheldwithvariousstakeholdergroupsinarangeofvenues.1.2 PreviousCorridorProfileEffortsInearlieryears,theCMRPCtransportationstaffhascompletedseveralCorridorProfileefforts.AsshowninFigure1,threepreviousstudieshavebeencompletedinthispartoftheplanningregion.ThefigureindicateshowtheRoute31CorridorProfilelinkswiththreepreviouslycompletedtransportationplanningeffortsconductedonRoute122AinHolden,Route122ScenicBywayinPaxtonandRoute9inSpencer.AstheCorridorProfileserieshasevolved,ithasbecomeincreasinglymultimodalandintermodal.Atthistime,theManagementSystemsserveasthebasisforthetransitiontoperformancebasedplanning.Performancebasedplanningseekstomeasurethevalueofinvestmentsmadeinthenationstransportationinfrastructure.Presently,focusareasincludereducingcongestion,improvingpavement,reducingvehiclecrashesand,inthespiritofthestatesHealthyTransportationinitiative,increasingtheuseofthealternativemodesoftransit,bicycling,andwalking.1.3 Route31CorridorProfile:Holden,Paxton,andSpencerTheRoute31CorridorProfilebeganasavisionbythetownofSpencerforatransportationplanningstudythatwouldidentifypotentialsafetyimprovementsalongRoute31.Althoughhavingaprimaryemphasisonimprovingroadwaysafety,othergoalsoftheRoute31CorridorProfileincludereducingperiodiccongestion,preservingandimprovingroadwaypavement,maintainingandreconstructingmajorbridgeanddrainagestructuresaswellasdetermininghowtoimprovetheroadwayforbicycleandpedestrianaccommodations.CompetitivelyselectedbytheCMMPO,staffrequestedthecommunitiesofHoldenandPaxtontoparticipateintheeffort.TheparticipationofHoldenandPaxtonallowedtheRoute31CorridorProfiletolinkpreviousplanningstudiesonRoute122AinHolden,theRoute122ScenicBywayinPaxtonandtheearlierRoute9CorridorProfileinSpencer.Route31isafederalaidhighwaythatiseligibleforfederalfundingforimprovements.TheRoute31studycorridorisshowninFigure2alongwithothermajoraspectsofthegreaterregionsmultimodaltransportationnetworkincludingrailroadsandlongdistancehikingtrails.

    2

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IPrevious StudiesFigure 1

    RUTLAND

    OAKHAM

    BARRE PRINCETON

    HOLDENWESTBOYLSTON

    WORCESTER

    MILLBURY

    AUBURN

    LEICESTERSPENCER

    PAXTON

    NORTH BROOKFIELD

    EAST BROOKFIELD

    CHARLTONOXFORD

    290

    90

    ")9

    290

    ")9

    ")146

    90 20395

    ")12")56

    ")56")9

    ")9

    ")12

    ")49")31

    ")31

    ")122

    190

    ")31

    ")31

    ")122

    ")56

    ")56")122

    ")148

    ")140

    ")110

    ")140

    ")68

    ")146

    20

    ")12

    ")122

    Meadow

    Road

    122A

    122A

    122A

    0 1 2 3 40.5Miles

    190

    Manning St

    reet

    Raymon

    d Huntin

    gton Hgw

    y

    Route 9 Corridor Profile

    Route 122A (Main St.)Access ManagementRoute 122 "Lost Villages"Scenic Byways

    LegendRoute 9 Corridor Profile, 2007

    Route 122 "Lost Villages" Scenic Byways, 2009

    Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Route 31 1.0 Mile Buffer Zone

    Route 31 Corridor Extensions

    Route 122A (Main St.) Access Management, 2011

    3

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IHost communities of Holden, Paxton and SpencerFigure 2

    RUTLAND

    OAKHAM

    BARRE PRINCETON

    HOLDEN WESTBOYLSTON

    WORCESTER

    MILLBURY

    AUBURN

    LEICESTERSPENCER

    PAXTON

    NORTH BROOKFIELD

    EAST BROOKFIELD

    CHARLTON OXFORD

    290

    90

    ")9

    290

    ")9

    ")146

    90 20 395

    ")12")56

    ")56

    ")9

    ")9

    ")12

    ")49")31

    ")31

    ")122

    190

    ")31

    ")31

    ")122

    ")56

    ")56

    ")122

    ")148

    ")140

    ")110

    ")140

    ")70

    ")68

    ")146

    20

    ")12

    ")122

    Meadow

    Road

    122A

    122A

    Manning S

    treetLaurel StreetR

    aymond

    Hunting

    ton Hgw

    y

    190

    0 1.5 3 4.5 60.75Miles

    Legend

    InterstateU.S. RouteState Route

    Midstate TrailRailroad

    Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerRoute 31 Corridor Profile Extensions

    Other Trails

    4

  • TheroadwaysegmentsofRoute31inHolden(3.3miles),Paxton(4.4miles),andSpencer(5.6miles)combineforatotallengthof13.3miles.EssentiallyallofRoute31islocallymaintainedbythehostcommunitiesofHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.TheMassDOTRoadwayInventoryFile(RIF)indicatesthattherightofwayforRoute31ismostly40feetinwidth,withsomeminorexceptions,inthehostcommunitiesofHoldenandPaxton.InSpencer,theRIFindicatesanavailablerightofwayofmostly50feet,againwithsomeminorexceptions.Additionally,ManningStreetinHoldenandMeadowRoadinSpencer(attherequestoftherespectivecommunities)havebeenincludedinthisstudyasextensionsofRoute31.1.4 CorridorProfileWorkActivitiesDefinedinUPWPThisCorridorProfileefforthasbeencompletedaspartoftheCMMPOEndorsedUnifiedPlanningWorkPrograms(UPWPs)forfederalfiscalyears2013and2014.ThefollowingprovidesanoverviewofthemajortasksthatwereincludedwithinthedefinedscopeoftheRoute31CorridorProfileeffort:

    CMRPCcoordinationonanentirerangeofCorridorProfileaspectsincludingdatacollectionandanalysis.

    VehiclecrashanalysescompletedincooperationwiththeHolden,PaxtonandSpencer

    PoliceDepartments.

    CompletionofanEnvironmentalProfilefortheentireRoute31studycorridorinHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.

    Rangeofsuggestedimprovementoptionscompiledforhostcommunityconsideration.

    Compilationandproductionofarangeofcolormapsandgraphicsforthereport

    documentaswellasforpublicoutreachpurposes.

    CompletionofdetailedRoute31CorridorProfilereportdocumentalongwithanaccompanyingTechnicalAppendix.

    PublicOutreach:

    MeetingsoftheRoute31TechnicalAdvisoryGroup,alternatingbetweenthehostcommunitiesofHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.

    Route31HostCommunityStudyPublicOutreachandOverviewMeetings,autumn2014.

    5

  • Additionalactivity:

    HoldenCenter&MainStreetNeighborhoodSAFEworkshop,summer2013.1.5 TechnicalAdvisoryGroupfortheRoute31CorridorProfilePublicoutreachmethodsarecustomizedforeachCorridorProfilestudy.InthecaseofRoute31,aTechnicalAdvisoryGroupwasestablishedtooverseeandguidethestudyprocess.MemberswereaskedtoparticipatefromeachofthehostcommunitiesofHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.TheparticipantsoftheRoute31TechnicalAdvisoryGrouparelistedinTable1.Itwassuggestedthatthegroupconveneeverytwomonthsthroughoutthedurationofthestudyprocess.AlistingofthemeetingsheldbytheTechnicalAdvisoryGroupisalsoshowninthetable.Ascanbeseen,themeetingschedulealternatedbetweeneachRoute31hostcommunity.ThefirstmeetingoftheGroupwasheldinFebruary2013andcontinueduntilAugust2014.TheCMRPCstaffwouldarrangethemeetingswiththeassistanceofthevariousparticipantsineachhostcommunity.Detailedhandoutswereprovidedbythestaff,mostcontainingarangeofcolorgraphicsandothervisuals.Also,stafffromtheMassDOTHighwayDivisionDistrict#3officewasconsultedperiodicallyduringthestudyprocess,particularlyconcerningRoute31bridgestructures.Followingthecompletionofthestudyandpriortodocumentfinalization,StudyOverviewMeetingswereheldwiththefollowinghostcommunityofficials.

    Holden:DepartmentofPublicWorks,TransportationCirculationCommittee,and PlanningBoardPaxton:BoardofSelectmenSpencer:TownAdministratorandBoardofSelectmen

    Themeetingsprovidedanoverviewtothestudyprocessandanopportunitytodiscussfindingsandtherangeofsuggestedimprovementoptionswhileaddressinghostcommunityconcerns.AdetailedTechnicalAppendixhasbeencompiledtoaccompanytheRoute31CorridorProfiledocumentandincludesmeetingagendasfromallmeetingsoftheTechnicalAdvisoryGroupaswellastheStudyOverviewMeetingsheldwithlocalofficials.TheAppendixalsoincludesnewsarticles,technicalanalysesandabroadrangeofothermaterialspertinenttotheRoute31CorridorProfileeffort.

    6

  • Table1TechnicalAdvisoryGroup

    MembershipListing&MeetingDates

    TownofHoldenIsabelMcCauley,SeniorCivilEngineer

    JohnWoodsmall,DepartmentofPublicWorksDirector

    TownofPaxtonMikePutnam,DepartmentofPublicWorksSuperintendent

    CarolRiches,TownAdministrator

    TownofSpencerStevenTyler,P.E.,Utilities&FacilitiesSuperintendent

    CMRPCProfessionalStaff

    KevinKrasnecky,PrincipalPlannerRichRydant,TransportationProjectManager

    MeetingLocations&Dates

    SpencerFebruary5,2013PaxtonApril9,2013HoldenJune4,2013

    SpencerAugust13,2013PaxtonOctober8,2013

    HoldenDecember10,2013SpencerFebruary11,2014

    PaxtonApril8,2014HoldenJune10,2014

    SpencerAugust12,2014

    7

  • 1.6HostCommunityObservationsAtstudyonset,membersoftheTechnicalAdvisoryGroupfromeachhostcommunitywereaskedtoprovideacomprehensivelistingofRoute31locationswithinthedefinedstudyareawhereimprovementsshouldbeconsidered.Theseobservationswereusedtohelpguidefieldobservationanddatacollectionefforts.Laterinthestudydocument,suggestedimprovementoptionsareprovidedforhostcommunityconsideration.Theseoptionsarebasedonthebelowlistedcommunityobservations,observationsmadeinthefieldbystaffaswellasarangeofstandardizedtransportationplanningcalculations.Followingthelistedcommunityobservations,Figures3through5showtheidentifiedcorridordeficienciesandtheirlocationsforeachofthethreetowns.1.7TownofHoldenIntersectionCongestion

    HoldenishostcommunitytoWachusettRegionalHighSchool(WRHS),amajorgeneratorofschoolbusandpersonalvehicletraffic.WRHSgeneratedtraffichasbeenobservedtocontributetocongestedconditionsattheRoute122A(MainStreet)/Route31(ReservoirStreet/HighlandStreet)intersection.

    TrafficcongestionissuesexistattheRoute31(HighlandStreet)/ManningStreet

    intersectionduringpeakflowperiods.ManningStreetalongwiththeRayHuntingtonHighway/LeggRoadprovidesaccesstotheI190interchange#5inSterling.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCorridorProfilestudyarea.)

    IntersectionSafety

    IntersectionofRoute31(HighlandStreet)withWachusettStreethasahistoryofvehiclecrashes.HPDrecordsindicatedthatbetween1/1/2010and10/16/2013thatthree(3)reportedvehiclecrashedoccurredattheRoute31/WachusettStreetlocation.AccordingtotheHPD,allweresituationswhereavehicleonRoute31waseitherslowingtoturnorstoppedtowaitforcleartoclearandwasrearendedbyanothervehicle.Itappearsthatnoneoftheincidentswasweatherrelated.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCPstudyarea.)

    RoadwayCondition

    Roadwaysurfacesettlementissuesareevidentbetween350&383SouthRoadduetoadrainagepipecrossingRoute31thatleadstotheKendallReservoirbasin.

    RoadwayGeometry

    Route31providesaminimalshoulderoflessthan1footinwidth.

    8

  • Asobservedinthefield,thereexistslimitedsightdistanceduetoanotableverticalcurveonRoute31(substandardroadwaygeometry),adjacentto5060SouthRoad,southoftheMixterRoadintersection.

    Route31exhibitssteepgradesoneachapproachtotheKendallReservoirbasin.

    RoadwayDrainage

    Route31(PaxtonRoad/SouthRoad)forapproximately0.8miles,lacksdrainagestructures.Asaresult,stormwaterrunsviasheetflowtowardstheKendallReservoirbasin.

    RoadwaydrainagefromSouthRoadflowsintotheKendallReservoiruntreated.Thereis

    noprovisionofanyfilteringsystem.Bridge

    BridgeNumberH18002,Route31(ReservoirStreet)overP&WRailroad:ItissuggestedthatthewearingsurfaceoftheRoute31bridgeovertheP&WRRberepaved.Thebridgewasconstructedaround1983.BridgedeemedFunctionallyObsolete(FO)byMassDOT,duetogeneralstructuredeteriorationorinadequatestrength,MassDOT77.3rating.

    Anyrepairorimprovementplanforthisstructureshouldconsidertheinstallationofafullyaccessiblesidewalkalongsouthsideofbridgestructure.

    RoadwaySafety

    Route31(PaxtonRoad/SouthRoad/ReservoirStreet)presentsapotentialvehiclecrashhazardduetotreesandotherovergrownvegetationwithintheroadwayrightofway.Considerselectiveremovalofencroachingvegetation.

    RetainingWallFailure

    Townofficialsindicatestructuralanddrainageissuesassociatedwiththestoneretainingwallnexttothehistoriccemeteryinthetowncenter,causedbytheverticalalignmentoftheroadwayduringtheredesignoftheRoute122A/Route31intersection.ThetownofHoldenownsthestoneretainingwall;thenameofthecemeteryisOldBurialGround.

    9

  • Pedestrian

    IthasbeensuggestedthattheRoute31sidewalkbeextendedfromRoute122A(MainStreet)toTheOaksofHolden,anage55+condominiumcomplex,andtheHoldenChapel.

    PedestriancrossingnearColonyHomesSeniorHousingProjectonRoute31(Reservoir

    Street)issubjecttosubstantialtrafficvolumeswhileprovidinglimitedsightdistance,throughobstructedlinesofsight.

    Thecommunityseekssidewalknetworkconnectivityforpedestrianaccessbetweenthe

    segmentsofRoute31bothnorthandsouthofRoute122A(MainStreet).SidewalkconnectivityonRoute31(HighlandStreet)northofRoute122AisenvisionedtocontinuenorthtoNolaDriveandsouthtoJoelScottDrive.Further,connectivityforbicyclesandpedestriansissoughtforDavisHillSchool,locatedonJamiesonStreet.Thepotentialforoffstreetbicyclepathsalsoexistsinthisdenseresidentialarea.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCPstudyarea.)

    ActivedevelopmentprojectsalongRoute31inHolden

    ModificationofRoute31(HighlandStreet)/UnionStreetintersectionisundergoingthelocalreviewprocess.ImprovementsareconsideredmitigationfortheGreenwoodIIsubdivision(96lots)thathasaccessonUnionStreet.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCPstudyarea.)

    Informationrelatedtothenumberofunitsandoccupancyforsubdivisionslocatedoff

    Route31,withinthestudyarea: Stoneybrook,totalof76units,36builtandoccupiedtodate TheOaksofHolden,designedfor108with72builtandoccupied.

    ManningStreetBridgeStatus

    InJune2013,apartiallaneclosurewasputintoplaceontheManningStreetbridgeduetothediscoveryofdeteriorationinthebridgedeckingandunderlyingconcretebeams(superstructure).OnOctober7,2013,HoldensDPWHighwayDivisionbeganrepairoperationstothenorthboundlaneofthebridgewhichstartedwiththeremovalofexistingpavementandwaterproofmembrane.Duringthiswork,itwasnotedthattheconditionsoftheconcretebeamsandotherfunctionalelementsweresuchthatareplacementofthebridgesuperstructurewasdeterminedtobeamoreeffectivelongtermsolution.Thus,theHighwayDivisionplanstocompletetherepairofthedeterioratedbeams,addasprayappliedwaterproofmembraneunderthedirectionofMassDOT,andrepavethenorthboundlane.Thesouthboundlanewillbeleftintact.MassDOTwillreinspectthebridgeafterthecompletionofrepairs.

    10

  • 1.8TownofPaxtonRoute31(HoldenRoad),betweenHoldentownlineandGroveStreet

    TheRoute31(GroveStreet)/Route31(HoldenRoad)intersectionisconsideredpotentiallyhazardousduetolimitedlinesofsight.Aflashingbeaconhaslongbeenpresentatthislocation,supplementingtheSTOPsignforHoldenRoad.

    ThetownofPaxtonisseekingalistingontheCMMPOsTIPforanimprovementproject

    forHoldenRoadreclamation.TheproposedprojecthasbeenapprovedbyMassDOTPRC(#607250).TheprojecthasyettobeprogrammedontheTIPbytheMPO.Atthistime,itisanticipatedthatfundingmaybeavailableforFY2019,attheearliest.Theproposedprojectincludes: Addressingdeterioratingpavementandberm,mostlycountrystyledrainage,

    somecatchbasins Drainageimprovements/culvertlocations Bicycleandpedestrianaccommodation Accessmanagement,minimal Treetrimmingand/orremovalwithinROW Upgrade/improveguardrailsalongthissegment,wherenecessary

    InadditiontoAnnaMariaCollege,theremaybeincreasedvehicleandpedestrian

    generationfromPaxtonsnewseniorhousingdevelopment.ThesitedriveislocatedonGroveStreetnorthoftheHoldenRoadintersection.50unitswith60parkingspacesareplanned.

    Route31(GroveStreet),betweenHoldenRoadandMapleStreet

    ThissegmentofRoute31wasreconstructedaround2002.GroveStreetexhibitsCompleteStreetdesigncharacteristics,accommodatingvehicles,bicyclesandpedestrians.GroveStreetservesastheprimaryaccesstoAnnaMariaCollege(AMC),aschoolwithanenrollmentof1,500.

    Route31(MapleStreet),betweenGroveStreetandtowncenter

    Varyingroadwaywidth,somewhatnarrowinplaces.

    IdentifiedneedtoeithertrimorremovehazardoustreeswithinroadwayRightofWay

    NosidewalkscurrentlyexistonMapleStreet.Thetownisstronglyconsideringtheadditionofnewsidewalks.MapleStreetisconsideredtobeanimportantpedestriancorridorconnectingthetowncenterwithGroveStreet,AnnaMariaCollegeandthenewseniorhousingdevelopment.

    11

  • Route31intowncenter

    TrafficgeneratedinnearbycommunitiesleadstocongestionattheRoute122/Route31intersectioninthecenteroftown.

    Thetownseeksupgradestoexistingsidewalks.Further,considertheadditionofnew

    sidewalks.PaxtonhasrequestedaNeighborhoodSAFEworkshop.Route31(WestStreet),betweentowncenterandSuomiStreet

    Thetownseeksupgradestoexistingsidewalksaswellasconsideringnewextensions.

    IthasbeenindicatedbytownofficialsthatthewatermainbeneathWestStreetneedstobereplacedandupgraded.Thenewmainwouldalsoneedtobeburieddeeperundertheroadwaysurface.ThisnecessaryutilityworkmustprecedeanyhighwayimprovementssuggestedforRoute31.(AnotheroptionavailabletothetownwouldbetoincludetheutilityupgradesasnonparticipatingworkpaidforbythehostcommunityaspartofapotentialfutureyearTIPproject).

    TheRoute31/PaxtonCenterSchoolaccessdriveservesbothschoolandtown

    recreationalfacilities.Seektomaintainexistinglinesofsightatthislocation.Route31(WestStreet),betweenSuomiStreetandSpencertownline

    Varyingroadwaywidth,somewhatnarrowinplaces.

    Culvertinspectionneeded(potentialrepairs/replacement) Largeculvert,southofNaniganRoad Largeculvert,adjacenttoMooreStatePark

    Identifiedneedtoeithertrimorremovehazardoustreesandothervegetationwithin

    roadwayrightofway.

    Upgrade/improveguardrailsalongthissegment,wherenecessary.Someareasinneedofrepairnotedinfield.

    PublicTransit

    CommunitybeginsflexroutebusserviceincooperationwithtransitproviderWorcesterRegionalTransitAuthority(WRTA).FlexrouteservingAnnaMariaCollegeandthetowncenterinitiatedinlate2013.

    12

  • Otherconcerns

    Generalheavyvehicle(truck)trafficvolumesusingRoute31.

    Automotivecarriertrucks,manyoriginatinginSpencer/EastBrookfield.(ReferenceNEAGoperatorobservationsfromearliermeeting.)

    1.9TownofSpencerIntersectionCongestion

    AttheRoute9/MeadowRoad/SouthSpencerRoadintersection,northboundvehiclequeuinglanesareofinsufficientlength.Itissuggestedtoexpand/lengthentheSouthSpencerRoadnorthboundapproachvehiclequeuinglanes.ThisimprovementisnecessarytoaccommodateFLEXcongeneratedtraffic,especiallyduringpeakflowperiods.Currently,vehicleshavebeenobservedtodriveovertheexistingroadwaycurbing.Inaddition,thecommunityhasrequestedanaccessandaccidentstudyforBigYplaza.(ThislocationisoutsidetheCMMPOestablishedCPstudyarea.)

    IntersectionSafety

    TheRoute31(NorthSpencerRoad)/Route31(PleasantStreet)/MeadowRoad/WireVillageRoadstudyintersectionhascausedsafetyconcernsduetoitsrecentcrashhistory.Inlate2013,thisintersectioncompletedFHWAfundedSTOPsignimprovementsthatfeaturenewsignsandadvancedwarningonallapproaches.TheseimprovementswerescreenedandapprovedbyMassDOT.(AstatewidesummaryofthisworkhasbeenobtainedfortheTechnicalAppendix.)SupplementaladvisorysignsnotingstreetnameshavealsobeeninstalledontheRoute31approachestothisstudylocation.OneofthenewsignsisobstructedbyS12002bridgeposting.Thisjusthappenstobethehighestspeedapproach.

    RoadwayCondition

    DeterioratingpavementconditionsworsenonSpencersnorthernmostsegmentsofRoute31.AlongthesenortherlysegmentsapproachingthePaxtontownline,themagnitudeandextentofseverealligatorcrackingandruttingbecomesincreasinglylarger.

    RoadwayGeometry

    AddressthesharpcurveinRoute31justsouthoftheSpencer/Paxtontownline.Substandardroadwaygeometry,canitbemoderatedorstraightenedinsomemanner?Thissiteexhibitslowtravelspeedsduetotheextremelylimitedlinesofsight.

    13

  • Vegetationisalsoencroachingupontheroadway.Potentialimprovementoptionsinclude:

    Donothing Spotimprovement Structurerelocation Roadwayrealignment,shortandlong.Needtoexamineparcelmap.

    TheMeadowRoadverticalapproachtoRoute31needstoberaisedtoimprovevisibility

    approachingandattheintersection.AccessManagement

    CurbcutconsolidationandotherAccessManagementimprovementssuggestedforlocalroadsandabuttingprivatepropertiesalonglengthofSpencerstudysection.

    Bridge

    BridgeNumberS23002,Route31(NorthSpencerRoad)overSevenMileRiver:IdentifiedbyMassDOTasStructurallyDeficient,weightlimitsarepostedforthisbridge.(Referto4/5/2012MassDOTbridgeinspectionreport.)

    BridgeNumberS23012,Route31(NorthSpencerRoad)overSevenMileRiver:

    Continueddeteriorationofexistingstructure;willrequirefutureyearreplacement,consideredcriticalbytown

    Arelatedtopic,therecentlydamagedBridgeNumberS23010,HastingsRoadoverTurkeyHillBrookhascausedthatcrossingtobereducedtoasinglelaneandthereforeisnowanevenworseoptionforanalternatetruckdetour(includingNEAGgeneratedtrucks)whenmoresignificantdeteriorationandloadingproblemseventuallyoccurontheRoute31bridges.TheneedtouselimitedtownfundstorepairthisstructurefurtherreducesthelikelihoodthatthetowncouldaddressdeteriorationontheabovesummarizedRoute31bridges.

    Route31,NorthSpencer,undersizedculvertstructureswithpastfloodingissues;there

    existspotentialforfuturefloodingoccurrences.Atonelocation,townplanstheinstallationofanewculverttoaddressrecurringfloodingissues.(Seeplanprovidedbycommunity.)

    PublicTransit

    IthasbeensuggestedthatSpencerHighwayDepartmentpropertyonMeadowRoadcouldbeusedforalongtermfutureFastchargerlocationforelectricbusesor

    14

  • potentialPark&Ridefacility.TheWorcesterRegionalTransitAuthority(WRTA)BusRoute#33couldservesuchaPNRlot.Further,WRTAbusesandothertransitvehiclescoulddwell,orwaitbetweentrips,atthislocationawayfromresidentialareas.Ataminimum,theMeadowRoadimprovementprojectshouldincluderevisedtransitaccommodations

    15

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IIdentified Corridor DeficienciesFigure 3

    ")31

    ")68

    PRINCETON

    WORCESTER

    WEST BOYLSTON

    ")122A

    RUTLAND

    ")122A

    ")31

    ")12

    ")140

    ")31

    Raymond H

    untington

    Highway

    STERLING

    190

    190

    190

    Manning S

    treet

    1 in = 0.79 miles

    HOLDEN

    - Varying roadway widths & minimal shoulder widths (often < 1 foot)- Trees & overgrown vegetation in right-of-way, considered potential vehicle crash hazard-Safety fencing needed near culvert & drainpipe inlets/outlets-General truck & other heavy vehicle use

    Route 31 Overall:

    Access to Interstate 190 interchange #5 in Sterling

    Manning Street - Ray Huntington Highway - Legg Road:

    Recent replacement of deteriorated deck & beams.Manning Street Bridge over Trout Brook:

    Potential improvements under local review.

    Route 31 / Union Street:

    Vehicle Crash History Route 31 / Wachusett Street:

    Peak period congestion Route 31 / Manning Street:

    Peak period congestion, crash history;WRHS traffic.

    Route 31 / Route 122A:

    Hosted recent Walkable Community /Neighborhood SAFE Project Workshop

    Town of Holden:

    Limited sight distance at pedestrian crossing.

    Colony Homes Senior Housing:

    MassDOT 77.3 rating;Functionally Obsolete (FO)Lacks accessible sidewalk on south side.

    Route 31 Bridge over P&W Railroad:

    No sidewalks exist on either side of the roadway.Route 31, Wong Dynasty to Holden Chapel:

    Potential exists for off-street bicycle paths.Dense residential neighborhoods:

    Sidewalk network connectivity for pedestrians & bicycles; Envisioned north to Nola Drive, includes Davis Hill Schoolon Jamieson Street.

    Route 31 North & South of Route 122A:

    Retaining wall structural failure.Old Burial Ground:

    Limited sight distance due to vertical curve(Substandard roadway geometry).

    Route 31, 50-60 South Road:

    Roadway drainage flows untreated into reservoir;No filtering system currently exists.

    Route 31 (South Road):

    Steep Grades.Route 31:

    Lacks formal drainage structures; Storm water runs in "sheet-flow" during storm events.

    Route 31 (Paxton Road / South Road, 0.8 mi):

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Interstate

    Railroad

    Other Roadways

    State Numbered Routes

    Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension

    Roadway surface settlement due todrain pipe crossing.

    Route 31, 350 - 383 South Road:

    16

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IIdentified Corridor DeficienciesFigure 4

    ")31

    ")122

    ")56

    RUTLAND

    LEICESTER

    ")31

    1 in = 0.75 miles

    ")122

    SPENCER

    HOLDEN

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerState Route

    Other Roadways

    Midstate Trail

    PAXTONNeed to maintain / preserve major culverts;Adjacent to Moore State Park & South of Nanigan Road.

    Route 31 Culverts:

    Repair / Upgrade existing sidewalks;Consider new sidewalk extensions.

    Route 31 (West Street):

    Limited lines of sight;Potential vehicle crash hazard.

    Route 31 (Grove Street) / Route 31 (Holden Road):

    Peak period congestion. Route 31 / Route 122:

    Varying roadway width, too narrow in places;no sidewalks exist.

    Route 31 (Maple Street):

    Reconstructed in 2002,"Complete Street" design for all users.

    Route 31 (Grove Street):

    Town seeks CMMPO TIP Project Including-Pavement Reclamation-Drainage Improvements-Bicycle & Pedestrian Accomodation

    Route 31 (Holden Road):

    Must maintain clear lines of sight. Route 31 / Paxton Center School Drive:

    Water main under Route 31 needs replacement;New main must be buried deeper.

    Route 31 (West Street):

    - Varying roadway widths & minimal shoulder widths (often < 1 foot)- Trees & overgrown vegetation in right-of-way, considered potential vehicle crash hazard-Safety fencing needed near culvert & drainpipe inlets/outlets-General truck & other heavy vehicle use

    Route 31 Overall:

    - Community requests Walkable Community / Neighborhood SAFE Workshop- Community begins flex route bus service with transit provider WRTA; flex route serving Anna Maria College and the town center started in late 2013.

    Town of Paxton:

    17

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IIdentified Corridor DeficienciesFigure 5

    ")9

    Meadow

    Road

    ")31

    ")148

    ")49

    NORTH BROOKFIELD

    PAXTON

    LEICES

    TER

    EAST

    BROO

    KFIELD

    ")9

    ")9

    ")31

    ")31

    1 in = 0.75 miles

    SPENCER

    - Varying roadway widths & minimal shoulder widths (often < 1 foot)- Trees & overgrown vegetation in right-of-way, considered potential vehicle crash hazard-Safety fencing needed near culvert & drainpipe inlets/outlets-General truck & other heavy vehicle use-Need for Access Management

    Route 31 Overall:

    Town planned installation ofnew culvert to addressrecurring flooding issues.

    Route 31, North Spencer:

    Substandard roadway geometry, limited lines of sight; Vegetation encroaching

    Sharp Curve near Spencer/Paxton Town Line:

    "Structurally Deficient" as per MassDOT Posted Weight Limits

    Bridge #S-23-002, Route 31 (North Spencer Road)over the Seven Mile River

    Community requests Walkable Community/Neighborhood SAFE Project Workshop

    Meadow Road:

    Transit vehicles for WRTA Bus Route # 33 &other services could dwell at this location;Investigate potential for future Park & Ride facility.

    Spencer Highway Department:

    Deteriorating pavement conditions,featuring severe alligator cracking & rutting

    Route 31, North Spencer:

    Recent damage reduced town owned structure to a single lane. Inadequate option for potential truck detours.

    Bridge #S-23-010, Hastings Roadover Turkey Hill Brook

    Safety concerns with recent crash history, 2013 "STOP" sign improvements includesupplemental advisory signs.

    Route 31 (North Spencer Road)/Route 31 (Pleasant Street)/Meadow Road/Wire Village Road

    Major employer FLEXcon generates peak period traffic.Northbound vehicle queuing lanes of insufficient length.

    Route 9/Meadow Road/South Spencer Road:

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Other Roadways

    State Numbered Routes

    Midstate Trail

    Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension

    Continued deterioration of existing structure.Future year replacement considered critical by town.

    Bridge #S-23-012, Route 31 (North Spencer Road)over the Seven Mile RiverFlooding concerns need to be addressed.Past flood problems. Culvert is undersized.

    Route 31, North Spencer:

    18

  • 2.0 ROUTE31ENVIRONS2.1 HostCommunityLandUseMajorlanduseswereidentifiedbroadlyaspartoftheRoute31CorridorProfileeffort.Thefollowinglistingsprovideasummaryofthemajoremployers,truckinggeneratorsandothersignificantlandusesineachoftheRoute31hostcommunitiesofHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.TheTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeparticipatedinthecompilationofthesesummaries.Correspondingly,Figures6,7and8showthegenerallocationoftheselandusesforHolden,PaxtonandSpencer.TownofHolden

    A. HoldenTrapRock:MassachusettsBrokenStoneCompanyoperatesHoldenTrapRock,aminingsitethathasbeenoperatingsince1938.Thefacilityhassignificantreserves,capableofsupplyingtheneedsoftheircustomersfordecadestocome.ThecompanyhasbeenaninnovatorintheproductionofcrushedstoneaggregateandHotMixAsphalt(HMA).

    B. WachusettRegionalHighSchool(WRHS):Amajorregionalhighschoolthatservesthe

    townsofHolden,Princeton,Paxton,RutlandandSterling.Also,otherschoolbuildingsforthetownofHoldenarelocatedinvicinityofthetowncenterarea,generatingschoolbusandpersonalvehicletraffic.

    C. Municipalbuildings,includingOldBurialGround:Thetownhall,StarbardBuildingand

    townlibraryarealllocatedadjacenttotheRoute31intersectionwithRoute122A.TheOldBurialGroundisacrossthestreetfromthetownhall,onthesouthsideofRoute122A.

    D. MedicalCenterCentralMA:LongknownasHoldenHospital,thismedicalofficesfacility

    hasrecentlybeenrenovatedandexpanded.Thesitegeneratesafairvolumeoftrafficasitcontinuestoservethegreatercommunity.

    E. MainStreetcommercialareas:Arangeofcommercial,retail,restaurantandservice

    relatedactivitiesarepresentalongHoldensMainStreet(Route122A).MostofthisactivityisconcentratedbetweenRoute31southerlytoShrewsburyStreet.

    F. RusticPlaza:PopulardiningvenueValsislocatedinthisplazasettingaswellasacoin

    operatedlaundrymat.

    G. HoldenCommons:SignificanttrafficgeneratorfeaturingaBigYSupermarketandothershopsincludingaCVSPharmacy,hardwarestore,dollarstoreandanadjacentliquorstore.BigYisthelargestfamilyownedretailfoodcompanyinSouthernNewEngland.

    19

  • H. Churchstructures,includingHoldenChapel:PlacesofworshipexistinthetowncenterareainthevicinityoftheRoute31intersectionwithMainStreet(Route122A).Locatedsouthofthecenter,theHoldenChapelhasaccessdirectlyoffofRoute31inthevicinityofthenewStonybrookEstates.

    TownofPaxton

    A. TownHighwayDepartment:Largeoperationsandmaintenancefacilityforhighwaydepartmentandothertownservices.

    B. SeniorHousingdevelopment:Anewstructurewith50unitsand60parkingspaces,

    nownearlycomplete.ThesitedriveislocatedonGroveStreetnorthoftheRoute31(HoldenRoad)intersection.

    C. AnnaMariaCollege(AMC)Campus:ACatholic,coeducational,LiberalArtsCollege

    withanenrollmentof1,500.FoundedbytheSistersofSaintAnnein1946,AMCislocatedona192acrecampus.

    D. Churchstructures:FirstCongregationalChurchandSt.ColumbaParish&rectory.

    E. PaxtonCenterSchoolandathleticfields:K8elementaryschoolandadjacentsenior

    centeraccommodatedintheWhiteBuilding.

    F. Towncentercommercialarea:Includesthehistorictownhallandanumberofsmallbusinesses,includingabank,packagestoreandhairsalon.Asmallmarketandotherbusinessesarelocatedinaplazasetting.

    G. WorcesterCountyMemorialPark:Large,plannedmoderncemeteryforallfaiths

    locatedonRoute56(RichardsAvenue).LocatedadjacenttotownoperatedMoorelandCemetery.

    H. MooreStatePark:Abeautifulandpeaceful671acrehistoriclandscapecombining

    archaeologicalsites,waterfalls,cascades,notablestonework,agriculturalfieldsandforestland,aswellasthousandsofrhododendronsandazaleas.TheparkisnamedinmemorialofaRevolutionaryWarheroMajorWillardMoorewhodiedattheBattleofBunkerHill.

    TownofSpencer

    A. SaintJosephsAbbey:TheAbbeyisacloisteredRomanCatholicmonasteryofmonksoftheCistercianOrderoftheStrictObservance,knownasTrappists.AttheAbbey,facilitiesexistfortheproductionofjelliesandjams.Theseproductshavebeenproducedonsiteformorethan50years.OpenedanewbreweryforspecialTrappiststylebeersandbeganretailproductionfornationwidedistributionin2014.

    20

  • B. BondSand,Gravel&Asphalt:BondhasbeenattheirlocationonRoute31since1972.Bondisopentothegeneralpublicandcaterstobothhomeownersandcontractors.Theyproduceavarietyofqualityaggregateproductsforconstruction,building,landscapinganddevelopmentprojects.Deliveryserviceisavailable;theirfleetincludesthreedumptrailersand7tenwheelerdumptrucks.

    C. PineGroveCemetery:HistoriclocalcemeteryadjacenttoSevenmileRiverandSpencer

    Fairgrounds.

    D. SpencerFairgroundsandAgriculturalCenter:LargeeventsvenuethatincludeshostingamajorannualLaborDayagriculturalfair.

    E. PowderMillPark:Atownmaintainedchildrensplaygroundthatisheavilyutilized.

    F. MaryQueenofRosaryCemetery:ParishcemeteryoftheMaryQueenofRosaryparish

    locatedinSpencer.

    G. FLEXcon:FLEXconisanISO9001:2008certifiedmanufacturerofpressuresensitivefilmsandadhesives,headquarteredinSpencer.Thecompanyisaninnovatorincoating,laminating,andfinishingofwidewebrolltorollpolymericmaterials,withexpertiseingraphicsandlabelapplicationsaswellasbonding,barrier,optical,andelectronicsapplications.TheSpencerfacilityemploysapproximately670workers.

    H. Route9ShoppingCenter:BigYsupermarketandseveralotherbusinesses.Theplaza

    includesdrivethroughfacilitiesforbothDunkinDonutsandabank.BigYisthelargestfamilyownedretailfoodcompanyinSouthernNewEngland.Committedtocustomerservice,BigYoffersworldclassselectionandqualityinaEuropeanmarketstylelayout.

    I. EastBrookfield&SpencerRailroad(EBSRR):ThisswitchingrailroadservestheNew

    EnglandAutomotiveGateway(NEAG)railtohighwayintermodalfreighttransferfacility.TheNEAGisinthevicinityoftheRoute31corridorstudyarea.SubstantialtrucktrafficisgeneratedbytheNEAG;mostusesRoute49,aportionusesRoute31.

    21

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IMajor Employers, Trucking Generators and Other Significant Land UsesFigure 6

    ")31

    ")68

    PRINCETON

    WORCESTER

    WEST BOYLSTON

    ")122A

    RUTLAND

    ")122A

    ")31

    ")12

    ")140

    ")31

    Raymond H

    untington

    HighwaySTERLING

    190

    190

    190

    Manning S

    treet

    1 in = 0.79 miles

    HOLDEN

    CD

    A

    BF

    H G E

    A: Holden Trap RockB: Wachusett Regional High School (WRHS)C: Municipal Buildings, including Old Burial GroundD: Medical Center Central MAE: Main Street Commercial AreasF: Rustic PlazaG: Holden CommonsH: Church Structures, including Holden Chapel

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Interstate

    Railroad

    Other Roadways

    State Numbered Routes

    A Site Location

    Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension

    22

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IMajor Employers, Trucking Generators and Other Significant Land UsesFigure 7

    ")31

    ")122

    ")56

    RUTLAND

    LEICESTER

    ")31

    1 in = 0.75 miles

    ")122

    SPENCER

    HOLDEN

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerState Route

    Other Roadways

    Midstate Trail

    PAXTON

    A: Town Highway DepartmentB: Senior Housing DevelopmentC: Anna Maria College (AMC) CampusD: Church StructuresE: Paxton Center School & Athletic FieldsF: Town Center Commercial AreaG: Worcester County Memorial ParkH: Moore State Park

    H

    GC

    FD

    E

    B A

    Midstate Trail

    A Site Location23

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IMajor Employers, Trucking Generators and Other Significant Land UsesFigure 8

    ")9

    Meadow

    Road

    ")31

    ")148

    ")49

    NORTH BROOKFIELD

    OAKHAM

    PAXTON

    LEICES

    TER

    EAST

    BROO

    KFIELD

    ")9

    ")9

    ")31

    ")31SPENCER

    A

    B

    CDE

    HI

    FG

    1 in = 0.75 miles

    Legend

    A: Saint Joseph's AbbyB: Bond Sand, Gravel & AsphaltC: Pine Grove CemeteryD: Spencer Fairgrounds & Agricultural CenterE: Powder Mill ParkF: Mary Queen of Rosary CemeteryG: FLEXconH: Route 9 Shopping Center I: East Brookfield & Spencer Railroad (EBSRR)

    Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    State Route

    Other Roadways

    Midstate Trail

    A Site Location

    Route 31 - Corridor Profile Extension

    24

  • 2.2 NaturalEnvironmentMajorWatershedsMajorfeaturesofthenaturalenvironmentwerealsoidentifiedaspartoftheRoute31CorridorProfileeffort.Figure9showsthemajorwatershedareaswithintheRoute31studyarea.Inadditiontomajorwatersheds,thefigurealsoindicatesimpairedwaterwaysinthestudyarea.UndertheCleanWaterAct,states,territories,andauthorizedtribesarerequiredtodeveloplistsofimpairedwaterways.Thesearewatersthataretoopollutedorotherwisedegradedtomeetthewaterqualitystandardssetbystates,territories,orauthorizedtribes.ThelawrequiresthatthesejurisdictionsestablishpriorityrankingsforwatersonthelistsanddevelopaTotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)forthesewaters.ATMDLisacalculationofthemaximumamountofpollutantthatawaterbodycanreceiveandstillsafelymeetwaterqualitystandards.Accordingtothemap,theKendallReservoirinthetownofHoldenretainsitsuse,especiallyasadrinkingwatersupply.InPaxton,theEamesPondandTurkeyHillBrookrequireaTMDL.ThompsonsPond,inthetownofSpencer,isimpaired,butitisnotcausedbyapollutantwhiletheSevenmileRiveralsorequiresaTMDL.EnvironmentalProfilesTypicallyincludedaspartofongoingCorridorProfileefforts,EnvironmentalProfilemapshavebeenpreparedfortheRoute31study.Suchmapsallowtheusertoviewmajorenvironmentalsystems,beyondtheedgeofthestudycorridor,thathaveimpactsonsuchthingsasdrainage,waterqualityandwildlifemigration.Thesemapsofthestudyareashowingmajorenvironmentalfeatureswerecompiledfromthefollowingkeyresources.DepartmentofConservationandRecreation(DCR)ThemissionofDCRistoprotect,promoteandenhanceourcommonwealthofnatural,culturalandrecreationalresources.GeographicDatalayersaremanagedbydivisionswithinDCR.

    DivisionofStateParksandRecreationThisdivisionprotectslandandresourcesonprivatelyandmunicipallyheldlandthroughtechnicalassistance,grantandplanningprograms,policydevelopment,andotherservices.

    ForestStewardshipProgramThisnonregulatoryprogramisdesignedtohelplandownersprotecttheinherentecosystemvaluesoftheirforest.

    DivisionofWaterSupplyProtectionManagesandprotectsthedrinkingwatersupplywatershedsforGreaterBoston.

    25

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILEI

    Watersheds and Impaired WatersFigure 9

    PAXTON

    FRENCH

    BLACKSTONE

    NASHUA

    QUINEBAUG

    CHICOPEE190

    290

    290

    395

    90

    90

    SPENCER

    HOLDEN

    190

    1 in = 2 milesLegend

    2 - Attaining some uses3 - No uses assessed4A - TMDL is completed4C - Impairment not caused by a pollutant5 - Waters requiring a TMDL

    Water Body (Lakes, Estuaries) Category

    3 - No uses assessed4A - TMDL is completed4C - Impairment not caused by a pollutant5 - Waters requiring a TMDL

    Water Body (Rivers) Category2 - Attaining some uses

    - Major Watershed Boundary

    26

  • DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP)MassDEPisresponsibleforensuringcleanairandwater,safemanagementandrecyclingofsolidandhazardouswastes,timelycleanupofhazardouswastesitesandspills,andthepreservationofwetlandsandcoastalresources.Itincludes:

    DivisionofWatershedManagement(DWM) WatershedPlanningProgram(WPP)Contaminatedwatereliminatesdrinkingwater

    supplies,degradesourrecreationalwaterresourcesanddestroyswildlifehabitat.Waterthatdoesnotsoakintothegroundiscalledrunoff.Propermanuremanagementandrunoffmanagementwillprotectorimprovewaterqualityinanycommunityandwatershed.GeographicdatalayersarefromanintegratedlistfromDWMandWPPandinclude: ImpairedWaterways(typicallyduetophosphorous,metals,andpathogensfrom

    sewageandfarmingsuseofmanureaswellasothercontaminants) ImpairedWaterbodies MonitoredWaterways ZoneII(WellheadProtectionAreas)

    BureauofResourceProtection(BRP)TheWetlandsProtectionActprotectswetlands

    andthepublicintereststheyserve,includingfloodcontrol,preventionofpollutionandstormdamage,andprotectionofpublicandprivatewatersupplies,groundwatersupply,fisheries,landcontainingshellfish,andwildlifehabitat.Thesepublicinterestsareprotectedbyrequiringacarefulreviewofproposedworkthatmayalterwetlandsorbufferzones.

    NationalHeritage&EndangeredSpeciesProgram(NHESP)TheoverallgoaloftheNHESPistheprotectionofthestate'swiderangeofnativebiologicaldiversity.NHESPisresponsiblefortheconservationandprotectionofhundredsofspeciesthatarenothunted,fished,trapped,orcommerciallyharvestedinthestate.Availablegeographicdatalayersinclude:

    CertifiedVernalPools PotentialVernalPools BioMapCoreHabitatThisdepictsthemostviablehabitatsforrarespeciesin

    Massachusetts. BioMapSupportingNaturalLandscape PriorityHabitatsofRareSpeciesThesearethegeographicalextentsofhabitatfor

    allstatelistedrarespecies,bothplantsandanimals.TheyareofficiallyusedundertheMassachusettsEndangeredSpeciesAct(MESA).

    Generatedbycombiningvariousdatalayersfromtheabovelistedagencycontributors,Figures10,11and12wereproduced.Abufferareaofgeneralinterest,amilewideinwidthcenteredonRoute31,isindicated.

    27

  • Alsoproducedaspartofthisstudyeffort,preliminaryEnvironmentalProfileswerepreparedfortwoextensionsoftheCMMPOdefinedRoute31studyarea.ShowninFigure13isanEnvironmentalProfilepreparedforHoldensManningStreet,whichisusedtogainaccessto/fromI190inSterling.Figure14istheprofileforSpencersMeadowRoad,whichissimilarlyusedtogainaccessto/fromRoute9westandnearbyRoute49.Includedintheabovedescribedmaps,allthreetownshavepotentialvernalpools,alsoreferredtoasAreasofCriticalEnvironmentalConcern(ACECs),locatednearthestudycorridorthatneedtobeleftundisrupted.ManywetlandsareincludedinthemilewidebufferareaaroundRoute31,especiallyinthetownsofPaxtonandSpencer.Thepotentialforvariousrarespecieslivinginthesewetlandareasdoesexistandfurtherstudywouldbeneededtodefinetheirextentandwhat,ifany,actionswouldbeoverlydetrimentaltotheircontinuedexistence.TherearealsomanystreamcrossingsonRoute31withinallthreetowns.Withsomeofthesestreamsbeingimpairedwaterways,thereisaneedtobesensitivetotheseenvironmentalconcernswhenplanningfutureroadwayimprovements.TheKendallReservoirinthetownofHoldenisanotedwatersupplyprotectionareawherecaremustbetakentoavoidadverseenvironmentaleffects.Further,alargeportionoftheSevenMileRiverinthehostcommunityofSpencerisdesignatedasaZone2aquiferprotectionareaforSpencerpublicwatersupply(PWS).DrinkingwatersourcewellsincludingBridgeS12002andallriparianareasadjoiningMeadowRoad.Asanoverallobservation,Route31goesthroughvariousenvironmentallysensitiveareas.Inshort,whenimplementingthesuggestedimprovementoptionsselectedbythehostcommunities,caremustbetakentopreventadverseimpactstothesurroundingenvironment.Siltationfences,haybales,othererosioncontrolneedtobeused,evermindfulofnearbyvernalpoolsandothersensitivehabitat.

    28

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    ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN IEnvironmental ProfileFigure 10

    PAXTON

    Major Watersheds

    ")31

    ")31

    ")122A

    ")122A

    Asnebumskit Pond

    StreeterPond

    Pine HillReservoir

    DawsonPond

    Holden ReservoirNumber 1

    Kendall Reservoir ChaffinPond

    Bryant Pond

    Eagle Lake

    StumpPond

    Warren Tannery Brook

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Route 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone

    Streams Intersecting Rt 31

    0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.60.2Miles

    HOLDEN

    Rivers & Streams

    Blackstone

    Nashua

    DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)

    DEP Approved Zone IIs

    Waterbodies Intersecting Rt 31

    Waterbodies

    Towns

    NHESP Certified Vernal Poolsjk

    Potential Vernal Pools/

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    ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON IEnvironmental ProfileFigure 11

    SPENCER

    Warren Tannery Brook

    Major Watersheds

    ")31

    ")31

    HOLDEN

    RUTLAND

    ")56

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    ")122

    ")122

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Route 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone Waterbodies

    BLACKSTONE

    CHICOPEE

    NASHUA

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    0 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.20.15Miles

    Towns

    Turkey Hill Pond

    Pine Hill Reservoir

    Streeter Pond

    Eames Pond

    Thompson Pond Kettle Brook Reservoir Number 4

    Kettle Brook Reservoir Number 3

    PAXTON

    Rivers & Streams

    DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)

    DEP Approved Zone IIs

    NHESP Certified Vernal Poolsjk

    Potential Vernal Pools/

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    ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER IEnvironmental ProfileFigure 12

    PAXTON

    Major Watersheds

    ")31

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    Lake Lashaway

    Kittredge Dam Reservoir

    Brooks Pond

    SugdenReservoir

    Lake Whittemore

    Horse PondBrook Reservoir

    BuckhillPond

    ThompsonPond

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Route 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone

    Streams Intersecting Rt 31Waterbodies

    Waterbodies Intersecting Rt 31

    ")9

    ")9

    ")31

    CiderMillpond

    BurncoatPond

    BowningPondEames Pond

    LEICESTER

    OAKHAM

    NORTHBROOKFIELD

    EASTBROOKFIELD 0 0.35 0.7 1.05 1.40.175Miles

    FRENCH

    CHICOPEE

    Meadow

    Road

    Towns

    SPENCER

    Rivers & Streams

    DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)

    DEP Approved Zone IIs

    NHESP Certified Vernal Poolsjk

    Potential Vernal Pools/

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    ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN ICorridor Extension Environmental ProfileFigure 13

    190")31

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    Major WatershedsLegend

    Stream crossings

    1-Mile Buffer Zone

    Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerRoute 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone

    Route 31 Corridor Extension

    Waterbodies

    DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)

    DEP Approved Zone IIs

    Nashua

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    32

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    ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER ICorridor Extension Environmental ProfileFigure 14

    NORTH BROOKFIELD

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    ")9")9

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    Stream crossings

    1-Mile Buffer Zone

    Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Route 31 1-Mi Buffer Zone

    DEP Wetlands (Jan. 2009)

    Waterbodies

    CHICOPEE

    RIvers & Streams within 1-Mile buffer

    Route 31 Corridor Extension

    DEP Approved Zone IIs

    NHESP Certified Vernal Poolsjk

    Potential Vernal Pools/

    33

  • 3.0 CONGESTIONMANAGEMENTPROCESS(CMP)3.1 OverviewoftheCentralMassachusettsCMPTheIntermodalSurfaceTransportationEfficiencyActof1991(ISTEA)requiredurbanareasacrossthecountrytoassesstrafficcongestionusingamanagementsystemapproach.Briefly,amanagementsystemapproachisonewhereissuesareidentifiedthroughasystematicprocessofdatacollectionandanalysis,recommendationsaredevelopedtoaddresstheissues,solutionsareimplemented,andtheireffectivenessismonitored.FortheCentralMassachusettsMetropolitanPlanningOrganization(CMMPO),staffatCMRPCbegandevelopingtheregionsCongestionManagementSystem(CMS)in1994.Thefirststepwastoidentifyfocussegments,roadwayswherethetrafficvolumeontheroadwaywasexceedingtheoperationalcapacity.AccordingtotheHighwayCapacityManual,aroadwayscapacityisdefinedasthemaximumhourlyrateatwhichpersonsorvehiclescanreasonablybeexpectedtotraverseapointoruniformsectionofalaneorroadwayduringagiventimeperiodunderprevailingroadway,trafficandcontrolconditions.Beginningin1995,CMRPCstaffproceededtoverifyandmonitorthecongestedconditionsinthefieldbyconductingaseriesoftraveltimeanddelaystudiesalongroadwaysandturningmovementcountsatintersections.ThelocationofthesedatacollectionactivitiescouldbeindicatedbyCMRPCsTrafficDemandModelorassuggestedbyoneofthecommunitiesintheCMRPCregion.The2006Safe,Accountable,Flexible,EfficientTransportationEquityAct:ALegacyforUsers(SAFETEALU)calledfortheCMStobeevolvedintoaCongestionManagementProcess(CMP),withagreaterfocusonimplementationofoperationalimprovementstothehighwaysystemtomitigatecongestion.ThisCorridorProfileprovidesthebaselinedataneededtocoordinatesuchimprovementswiththeMassDOTDistrict#3officeaswellaswiththecommunitiesthroughwhichthehighwaytravels.3.2 DailyTrafficVolumesFigures15through17showlocationsalongRoute31inthetownsofHolden,Paxton,andSpencerwhereCMRPCsetAutomaticTrafficRecorders(ATRs)togatherthevolumeoftraffic.ThemajorityofthelocationswerecompletedinMayof2013.TheATRswereinstalledalongtheroadwayandleftdownforatleast48hours.TherewereelevenlocationscompletedforRoute31,onelocationonManningStreet,andtwolocationsonMeadowRoad.Table2showsthevolumeresultsfromtheRoute31ATRlocations.Asthedatashows,thehighesttrafficvolumesinHoldenarenearRoute122A,droppingsignificantlyatthePaxtontownline.InthetownofPaxton,volumesrangefromahighof6,000betweenHoldenRoadandMapleStreettoalowof3,500attheSpencertownline.InSpencer,volumesarethelowestnorthofHastingsRoadandbetween6,000and7,000fortherestofRoute31.

    34

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    ITraffic Count LocationsFigure 15

    ")31

    ")68

    PRINCETON

    WORCESTER

    1 in = 0.79 miles

    WEST BOYLSTON

    ")122A

    RUTLAND

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    ")12

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    Manning S

    treet

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    Legend

    Interstate

    State RouteRoads

    Route 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    ATR

    HOLDEN

    Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension

    35

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    ITraffic Count LocationsFigure 16

    ")31

    ")122

    ")56

    RUTLAND

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    ")122

    ")56

    SPENCER

    PAXTON

    ATR

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, SpencerState Route

    Roads

    36

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: SPENCER

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    ITraffic Count LocationsFigure 17

    ")9

    ")31

    ")148

    ")49

    NORTH BROOKFIELD

    OAKHAM

    PAXTON

    LEICESTER

    EAST

    BROO

    KFIELD

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    1 in = 0.75 miles

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Roads

    ATR

    Meadow

    Road

    SPENCER

    State Route

    Route 31 Corridor Extensions

    37

  • Town ATRLocation Date Volume*

    Holden ManningStreet@WestBoylstonTownLine** 5/2/2013 7,050

    Route31northofRoute122A 5/2/2013 7,950

    Route31southofRoute122A 5/2/2013 12,550

    Route31northofReservoirStreet 5/7/2013 7,750

    Route31@PaxtonTownLine 5/7/2013 5,575

    Paxton Route31(GroveStreet)betweenHoldenRd&MapleSt 5/7/2013 6,375

    Route31eastofRoute56 5/7/2013 3,950

    Route31westofRoute122 5/7/2013 5,925

    Route31westofRoute122*** 4/9/2013 5,900

    Route31@SpencerTownLine 5/21/2013 3,525

    Spencer Route31southofHastingsRoad 6/6/2013 5,450

    Route31northofWireVillageRoad 5/21/2013 7,000

    Route31northofWireVillageRoad*** 4/9/2013 6,925

    Route31northofRoute9 5/23/2013 5,900

    MeadowRoadsouthofRoute31** 5/23/2013 4,600

    MeadowRoadnorthofRoute9** 5/23/2013 5,825

    *VehiclesPerDay(VPD)**AdditionalATRLocationsRequestedByHostCommunities***RecentMassDOTConductedCountsStatewideTrafficMonitoringEffort

    Route31CorridorProfileExistingDailyTrafficVolumes

    Table2

    38

  • 3.3 Route31TravelTimeandDelayStudiesCMRPCstaffconductedtwotraveltimeanddelaystudiesin2012forthisCorridorProfile.ThetraveltimedatawascollectedbyCMRPCusingaGlobalPositioningSystem(GPS)unit.Afterthefielddatawascollected,itwasdownloadedintoTravTimesoftware(developedbyGeoStats)inordertoanalyzethedata.AsindicatedinTable3,travelingfromRoute122AinHoldentoRoute122inPaxtontookaboutanaverageofeightminutesheadingnorthboundorsouthbound.FromRoute122inPaxtontoRoute9inSpencer,ittookabout12minutesineachdirection.

    Table3

    Route31TravelTimeandDelayStudyResults

    PeakPeriod Direction StudyYear Distance TravelTime(averageminutes)

    AMHolden/Paxton Southbound 2012 4.7miles 8.2AMHolden/Paxton Northbound 2012 4.7miles 8.6PMHolden/Paxton Southbound 2012 4.7miles 8.6PMHolden/Paxton Northbound 2012 4.7miles 8.1AMPaxton/Spencer Southbound 2012 8.3miles 11.9AMPaxton/Spencer Northbound 2012 8.3miles 12.1PMPaxton/Spencer Southbound 2012 8.3miles 11.8PMPaxton/Spencer Northbound 2012 8.3miles 11.8

    Figures18through25illustratethevehiclespeedsforeachseparatenorthboundandsouthboundtripalongRoute31observedin2012.Route31wasanalyzedintwosegments.ThefirstsegmentstartsatRoute122AinHoldenandendsatRoute122inPaxton.TheaveragevehiclespeedobservedforthissegmentofRoute31wasabout35mphinbothdirections.Theslowestvehiclespeedsarenearthestartandendpoints.ThesecondsegmentstartsatRoute122inPaxtonandendsatRoute9inSpencer.Theaveragevehiclespeedforthissegmentisnear40mphinbothdirections.Thereisverylittledelayforthissegmentheadingineitherdirection.TheslowestspeedsarebetweenMeadowRoadandRoute9andnearthePaxtontownline.

    39

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    Rt 1

    22

    0102030405060708090100

    mph

    47

  • 3.4 Route31IntersectionsExistingPeakHourTrafficVolumesCMRPCconductedTurningMovementCounts(TMCs)atnumerousfocusintersectionsforthisCorridorStudy.Mostcountsweredonein2013,butafewwerecompletedin2011and2012.EveryeffortwasmadetocompletetheseTMCsduringpeakflowmonthswhileschoolwasinsession.Inaddition,abalancingexercisewasconductedtoaccountforboththetypicaladditionandlossoftrafficvolumebetweenadjacentstudyintersectionsduetolocalstreets,sitedrivesservingmajorlanduses,andotherprivatedriveways,aswellasthenaturalstatisticalfluctuationencounteredwhenturningmovementcountsareconductedondifferentdays.ThesebalancedvolumesareindicatedinFigures26to31asexistingAMandPMpeakhourtrafficflows.ThecompleteTMCdatasheetshavebeenprovidedinthedocumentsTechnicalAppendix.

    48

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IExisting Traffic FlowsAM Peak Hour PeriodFigure 26

    ")31

    ")68

    PRINCETON

    WORCESTER

    WEST BOYLSTON

    ")122A

    RUTLAND

    ")122A

    ")31

    ")12

    ")140

    ")31

    Raymond H

    untington

    HighwaySTERLING

    190

    190

    190

    Manning S

    treet

    !

    !

    !

    !

    ROUT

    E 31

    ROUTE 122A

    55127145

    7417728544366133

    3875813

    ROUTE 31

    RESE

    RVO

    IR S

    T

    MIX

    TER

    RD

    03688

    4169100

    4 1 56

    1 0 10

    HOLDEN

    RO

    UTE

    31

    HOLDEN COMMONS

    296 64 379

    522 9

    1 in = 0.79 miles

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Interstate

    State Numbered Routes

    Other Roadways

    Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension

    MANNING ST

    ROUTE 31

    85 400

    109218

    25183

    49

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: HOLDEN

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC),massDOT Office Of Transportation Planning Geospatial Resources Section and the Office of Geographic Information MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, InformationTechnology Division. Information depicted on this map is for planning purposes only.This information is not adequate for legal boundary definition,regulatory interpretation, or parcel-level analysis. Use cautionintrepreting positional accuracy.

    IExisting Traffic FlowsPM Peak Hour PeriodFigure 27

    ")31

    ")68

    PRINCETON

    WORCESTER

    WEST BOYLSTON

    ")122A

    RUTLAND

    ")122A

    ")31

    ")12

    ")140

    ")31

    Raymond H

    untington

    HighwaySTERLING

    190

    190

    190

    Manning S

    treet

    !

    !

    !

    !

    ROUT

    E 31

    ROUTE 122A

    31274162

    16119122982766380

    2245368

    ROUTE 31

    RESE

    RVO

    IR S

    T

    MIX

    TER

    RD

    22115

    1233185

    9 1 115

    3 5 11

    HOLDEN

    RO

    UTE

    31

    HOLDEN COMMONS

    443 269 17932

    404 32

    1 in = 0.79 miles

    LegendRoute 31 - Holden, Paxton, Spencer

    Interstate

    State Numbered Routes

    Other Roadways

    Route 31 Corridor Profile Extension

    MANNING ST

    ROUTE 31

    74355

    219 224

    35113

    50

  • ROUTE 31 CORRIDOR PROFILE: PAXTON

    Source: Data provided by the US Census Bureau, Central Massachsuetts Regional Planning C


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