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Access and traffic dominated discussion: roundabout, bridge sequencing and MassDOT meeting set for early September
Summary
Committee members and consultants debated rotary improvements, Baker Avenue extension, the potential for a temporary construction bridge to become a permanent local connection, and phasing to tie building-permit releases to rotary improvements. Chair noted a MassDOT meeting with developer and town leadership is scheduled for Sept. 1 or 2.
Site access—how vehicles, service trucks and pedestrians will reach the MCI site—produced extended discussion. Committee members raised concerns about whether the proposed roundabout at the rotary will handle new volumes, whether Baker Avenue extension or a bridge could provide alternative access and how construction sequencing might affect traffic during buildout.
The chair told the committee that "there is a meeting scheduled between the leadership at MassDOT, DECAM and the town of Concord for September 1st or 2nd," indicating that access questions will be escalated to the state level. Consultants and members said phasing is critical: one option discussed was tying the release of building permits to completion of rotary and bridge improvements so housing units come online only when key transport mitigations are in place.
Members also flagged local service access: the committee discussed whether septic-dump truck traffic should be prohibited on the MCI site to keep heavy truck movements off residential streets, and whether aspects of DPW operations or composting and snow‑storage could be located at MCI or at alternative Town sites. The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and pedestrian/bike connections were raised as potential conflict points that will need detailed design and safety review.
