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Long-running Uxbridge plan for secondary high-school egress and sidewalks resurfaces; committee cites DOT and cost constraints
Summary
The Public Safety Committee revisited prior engineering work and a $40,000 study earmark for a secondary high‑school egress, concluding that an access to Route 122 would best meet emergency access goals but faces DOT sight‑distance and environmental constraints.
Committee members revisited a multi‑year discussion over a secondary high‑school egress intended mainly for public‑safety access. Members recalled earlier engineering options and a reported $40,000 capital earmark for a study; construction estimates discussed during the meeting ranged from an internal circulation reconfiguration (roughly $400,000 at one point in prior proposals) to a full public connector to Route 122 (estimates discussed in prior work approached several million dollars).
Participants agreed the most favorable public‑safety access would be an egress toward Route 122, which could split traffic and provide more direct routes for emergency responders. However, they said MassDOT previously raised sight‑distance and highway‑access concerns and that environmental constraints (conservation lands) could complicate new cuts into pavement or new access points. The committee discussed reviving the study and suggested obtaining drone or aerial footage to clarify constraints; staff said MassDOT typically requires a submitted plan to engage fully in highway‑access discussions.
No funding decision was made at this meeting; members asked staff to check the status of the earmark and recommended a future agenda item to review feasibility materials and any updated aerial/drone imagery.
The item remains an agenda priority for public‑safety reasons but requires coordination among the Select Board, school committee and DOT for any capital project to proceed.
