FAQ
What is the scope of the Town Center Project?
The Town Center Committee has been working with the engineering firm TEC and MassDOT to develop a design for the reconstruction of Route 68 (Main St) from the intersection of Elm Street/Brigham street north to the Curtis Recreation Field. In May 2017, the Hubbardston Town Center project was accepted by the MassDOT as a Transportation Improvement Project (TIP). This will provide the funding for the construction and oversight of the project. The Town Center Project scope includes:
· Repaving the roadway
· Using traffic calming measures to slow traffic (such as narrowing the roadway)
· Adding on-street parking
· Homogenizing residential and commercial curb cuts
· Reconstructing/adding ADA compliant sidewalks on both sides of the street
· Adding bike lanes on both sides of the street
· Improving the line of sight at the Main St and Elm/Brigham street intersection
· Improving safety at the Williamsville Rd intersection
As the Committee works with MassDOT to join the Town Center Project with the Route 68 North reconstruction project completed in 2020, this project may be extended to include Route 68 from Williamsville Rd to the Curtis Recreation field, including an ADA compliant sidewalk.
Additionally, the Town Center Committee has worked with the Town Administrator and DPW director to get the town approved for MassDOT’s Complete Streets Program. In February 2018, Hubbardston received a Complete Street grant to install a sidewalk on Gardner Road (Rt 68) from High Street to Curtis Recreational Field. However, this grant may be transferred to reconstruction of the Elm Street sidewalk (from Main Street to 18 Elm Street) as the Committee works with MassDOT to join the Town Center Project with the Route 68 North reconstruction project scheduled for 2022.
How much will the Town Center Project cost the town?
For the Town Center Project, the town only needs to pay for the design. The total cost of the design is $400,000. This cost has been split between the stages of the project:
· Schematic Design: $25K approved at the June 2016 Annual Town Meeting
· 25% Design: $75K approved at the June 2017 Annual Town Meeting
· 75% Design: $150K approved at the June 2018 Annual Town Meeting
· 100% Design: $150K approved at the Fall 2019 Special Town Meeting and the 2020 Annual Town Meeting
Where is the money coming from?
In May 2017, the Hubbardston Town Center project was accepted by the MassDOT as a TIP project with a budget of $3 million. This will provide the funding for the construction and oversight of the project, including the roadway, sidewalks, bike lanes, and signage. However, the town is responsible for costs associated with the project design. Once the design is complete, the project is transferred to MassDOT and the town is not responsible for additional costs.
Additionally, as a participant in MassDOT’s Complete Streets Program, Hubbardston is eligible to receive up to $400k a year to make street improvements that provide safe and accessible options for all travel modes - walking, biking, transit and vehicles – for people of all ages and abilities. In February 2018, Hubbardston received a Complete Street grant to install a sidewalk on Gardner Road (Rt 68) from High Street to Curtis Recreational Field. However, this grant may be transferred to reconstruction of the Elm Street sidewalk (from Main Street to 18 Elm Street) as the Committee works with MassDOT to join the Town Center Project with the Route 68 North reconstruction project scheduled for 2019.
Can the funds be used for other road projects in town?
No, the money received from MassDOT’s TIP and Complete Streets programs can only be used for the projects they were approved for. The town cannot reallocate these funds to other projects without approval from MassDOT.
What is TIP?
The state TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) is a yearly list of projects prepared as a joint effort between MassDOT and other state agencies. The list includes projects such as: bike paths, bridges, roadways, and sidewalks. TIP provides the funding for the construction and oversight of approved projects.
What is complete streets?
“Complete Streets are streets for everyone. They are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Complete Streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work.” -Smart Growth America
The Complete Streets Funding Program, put together by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, provides technical assistance and construction funding to eligible towns and cities across the state. In order to become a participant in the program, Hubbardston had to create a Complete Streets Policy and develop a Prioritization Plan. As a participant in MassDOT’s Complete Streets Program, Hubbardston is eligible to receive grants up to $400k a year to make street improvements that provide safe and accessible options for all travel modes - walking, biking, transit and vehicles – for people of all ages and abilities. The grants can be used to repair road lights, roads themselves or sidewalks, as well as lighting and other fixtures.
Are you taking any land from Main Street residents?
No. The current right of way in town is wide enough (50ft to 60ft) for the addition of sidewalks and bike lanes without taking any land from residents. However, during construction temporary easements may be needed.
When will construction begin?
The Town Center Project construction is estimated to begin in 2020, but this may shift based on readiness of the engineering plan and available funding.
The Complete Streets project to install a sidewalk on Elm Street will begin in the fall of 2018.
Are you taking down trees?
At this time, we do not know if any trees lining Main Street will need to be removed. As part of the design process, an arborist will assess the trees and decide if any need to be removed.
How wide are the sidewalks/shared use paths?
The sidewalks will be 4ft wide. The shared use path will be 10ft wide. The shared use path will run along the west side of Main Street from Mr. Mike’s to the corner of Elm/Brigham St.
How narrow are you making the road?
The roadway is being narrowed as a traffic calming measure to slow down traffic through the Town Center. We are aware that there are many large trucks (including our own fire trucks) that routinely travel the road. Therefore, the roadway will still be wide enough for that traffic without risking damaging cars parked along the roadway. The current plan is for each vehicle travel lane to be 11ft wide, for a total of 22ft travel lanes.
Are you adding lighting on Main Street?
While the Town Center Committee has considered lighting for the Town Center, it is not included in the current project since the MassDOT considers it a cosmetic improvement which is not eligible for TIP funding. We do intend to lay the ground work (i.e., installing empty conduits in the sidewalk) for lighting to be added at a later time by the town as funds are available. If lighting is added at a later time, we recommend directional lighting that provides light for pedestrians with minimal impact on Main Street residents and in a style that fits in with our quaint town.
Will more bike lanes be added throughout Hubbardston?
The bike lanes being added to the Town Center are part of a larger plan to add bike lanes on main roads throughout town. These are included in Hubbardston’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. Overtime, the town can apply for additional Complete Street Grants to add these bike lanes.
Will there be additional parking at the recreation field?
Currently, there are no plans to add additional parking at the recreation field. Our plan is to add a sidewalk and bike lane from the Town Center to the recreation field. Our hope is that this will increase the number of residents that can walk/bike to the recreation field and thus lessen the congestion. At a later date, the parking situation at the recreation field can be reassessed.
Who do I contact if I have a question/concern?
You may contact us:
· via e-mail
· on Facebook
· by attending our monthly meetings (see calendar for dates)
Additionally, we will continue to hold public forums at key points along the design process and encourage Hubbardston residents and business owners to attend. Follow us on Facebook and check our calendar for any scheduled forums.