Study Area

The primary study area included the Routes 110 and 113 at the rotary interchange and about one-half mile east and west of the rotary in Methuen, including the I-93 on and off-ramps (Exit 46). Also included was Route 113 from Route 38 in Dracut to the Methuen Rotary.

Study Advisory Committee

The Office of Transportation Planning was responsible for all study activities in coordination with a Study Advisory Committee. This committee included representatives from the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, legislators, citizen advisors, MassHighway District 4 and Design sections, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Merrimack Valley Transit Authority, federal and other state agencies, local elected officials, and interested organizations.

Background

In 2003, the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission completed the Route I-93 Corridor Study in Andover and Methuen. The study examined existing conditions in the corridor and projected demand for transportation facilities through the year 2025. The Route 110/113 Rotary Interchange was studied and seven alternatives to improve transportation were identified. However, due to the large study area and a lack of local public involvement, the recommendation was to study the interchange further.

This new study took a more in-depth look at the original seven alternatives, and also developed and analyzed additional alternatives to improve safety and relieve congestion at the Route 110/113 Rotary and surrounding area. It concluded with a recommended plan of future transportation improvements (short-term and long-term), based on the alternatives analysis and community input

What Was Involved in the Study

The study began with developing a set of goals and objectives, identifying what criteria and measurements methods will be used to evaluate alternatives, and how the public will be involved in and learn about the study.

Using the Route I-93 Corridor Study as a base, the existing transportation conditions were examined and anticipated future year conditions for the study area were re-evaluated. Current and future traffic congestion, safety, environmental conditions, community effects, economic development, land use and transit were studied. Existing and future land use and environmental constraints were also re-examined.

Short and long-range transportation alternatives – both highway and non-highway related – were developed. Each alternative was evaluated for mobility, safety, environmental effects, land use, economic development, community effects/environmental justice and cost.

The study concluded with a list of recommendations for short-term and long-term improvements and published in a final report.

Public Review and Comment

Two public informational meetings, each attended by approximately 100 people, were held for the study team to review the work of the study and to receive comments from the public. In addition, the public was encouraged to submit comments in writing or via the website throughout the project.

Study Team

The study was directed by the Massachusetts Office of Transportation Planning with assistance from a consultant team headed by TranSystems, a large engineering firm that brings national expertise in transit planning and engineering, highway and structural planning and engineering. Other consultant firms that worked on the study were: Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc., FXM Associates and TrafInfo Communications, Inc.

Recommendations

Three short-term improvement packages, two long-term alternatives (2B and 3A), and several transit related enhancements were all recommended for implementation. More detailed descriptions of the recommended improvements can be viewed clicking on the following link: Final Report

Next Steps

In order to begin the process for implementation of the study’s recommendations, interested parties are strongly encouraged to send letters of support to the Massachusetts Highway Department Commissioner and District 4 Highway Director: