Front, Linden, and Pine Street Intersection (Roundabout)

IThe Public Works Department retained the services of a traffic consultant, VHB, who completed a town-wide intersection evaluation in July 2022, with a focus on four high-priority intersections, including the Pine/Front/Linden Street Intersection.

VHB’s evaluation noted several safety deficiencies at the Pine/Front/Linden Street Intersection resulting from its unique geometry, the large expanse of pavement, undefined travel paths, driver confusion, and the locations of existing crosswalks. A roundabout solution was recommended, and a concept was developed, aimed at improving intersection operation, providing for safer pedestrian crossings, and reducing vehicle conflicts and speeds.

--FUNDING--

The Front Street / Linden Street / Pine Street Roundabout Project has been funded over several years through a phased approach that has allowed the Town to advance the project from planning through construction. Initial Town Meeting appropriations in 2019 and 2022 funded traffic studies, preliminary engineering, and public outreach that identified a roundabout as the preferred solution for improving safety and traffic operations. In 2023, voters approved Article 5, authorizing the Town to raise and appropriate $798,000 for intersection improvements, including the Front Street / Linden Street / Pine Street intersection. This authorization provided funding for final design and construction of the roundabout. The Select Board subsequently awarded a $104,800 professional services contract to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB) to complete the final engineering, permitting, construction plans and specifications, cost estimates, and public outreach necessary to bid the project.

During final design, the Town identified aging sewer and drainage infrastructure within the project area that required replacement before construction of the new intersection. In response, voters approved 2025 Town Meeting Article 8, authorizing the use of $250,000 in excess 2021 bond proceeds to rehabilitate this critical infrastructure. Completing this work in advance of roadway construction will eliminate the need to excavate the completed roundabout for future utility repairs while improving the long-term reliability of the Town's underground infrastructure.

Following completion of the design, VHB prepared bid documents, advertised the project for bids, and reviewed the construction bids, recommending award to Baillargeon Construction. The Select Board awarded a construction contract totaling $765,290.25, including roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, sidewalks, landscaping, traffic control upgrades, and ornamental street lighting. At the time of award, $691,642.96 remained available from the 2023 Article 5 appropriation, which was insufficient to fund the construction contract, construction contingency, and construction engineering services. To fully fund the project, the Select Board supplemented the remaining 2023 appropriation with $96,000 in available Highway Block Grant Aid and $104,000 from the Sidewalk Capital Improvement Fund, allowing the project to proceed without additional borrowing. The Select Board also approved a $20,000 amendment to VHB's contract to provide construction administration and engineering support through project completion.