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Engineering director outlines Route 140 bridge design, Safe Streets demo and traffic projects
Summary
Gardner’s engineering director told the Public Service Committee the Route 140 pedestrian-bridge design is at 100% with MassDOT review pending, and previewed a FHWA-funded demonstration of temporary speed cushions and other Safe Streets engagement events.
Director Oliver of Gardner’s Engineering Department presented project updates to the Public Service Committee on June 17, including a 100% design submission to MassDOT for a Route 140 pedestrian bridge, a planned demonstration of temporary speed cushions under a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grant, and ongoing community outreach for Safe Streets efforts.
Oliver said the Route 140 pedestrian-bridge design has been submitted at full design to MassDOT and that the next steps include a comment-review period and required appraisals to support any land acquisitions or easements. “We have submitted a 100% design to MassDOT … the next step for me is meeting with MassDOT to go over any land acquisitions required for the project,” Oliver said.
On the Safe Streets project, Oliver described two temporary demonstration installations of “speed cushions” on Pine Street and Nickel Street funded through the FHWA grant. He characterized the cushions as temporary rubber mats pinned to asphalt for demonstration and data collection, with the possibility of permanent asphalt-installed cushions if the data support them and future grant funding is available. “One of the recommended items … is speed cushions. It’s a hybrid version of a speed bump … they’re flatter, elongated,” Oliver said, noting temporary installation would allow traffic counts and pre/post evaluations.
Oliver also flagged public engagement opportunities: a library-hosted community event on June 24 with a project table and swag, a VSAC committee meeting open to the public via Zoom on July 15, and a second public engagement meeting planned for September. He encouraged residents to use a project website where people can drop pins and identify traffic concerns; staff currently report roughly 154 entries.
Other items discussed included stormwater permitting, driveway-permit outreach to local paving companies, and a long-running Highfield/Crestwood private-way and easement issue where a turnaround would require easements or land takings. Oliver said the city has easements to maintain utilities on part of Highfield Road but lacks easements on other sections, and acknowledged that designing and funding a permanent turnaround would take time and likely require negotiations with multiple property owners.
Committee members asked about plowability, drainage and traffic shifts around demonstration installations; Oliver said temporary cushions are pinned down and can be removed for winter or adjusted based on data and community feedback. He emphasized the importance of data-based evaluation for any permanent solutions and noted funding constraints for larger designs like a rotary at other intersections.
What happens next: the engineering department will proceed with MassDOT’s review of the Route 140 design and schedule the Safe Streets demonstration and public outreach; any permanent installations would require additional funding and council adoption of a safety action plan to pursue FHWA eligibility for further funds.
