Road Improvements for Worcester Despite Sharp Protest

(NECN: Katelyn Tivnan) - Planned road improvements in Worcester, Mass. will go ahead, despite sharp protests from some nearby residents.

The city will make improvements to the intersection of Salisbury and Forest streets.

The hope is to reduce traffic backups, but some worry it will cause other problems.

The signs at the intersection of Salisbury and Foster streets in Worcester are clear.

Residents do not support a road expansion.

Luis Darosa lives on Forest Street and says the daily traffic bottleneck is a nightmare but says so is the city's plan to fix it.

"They draw the lines on paper but don't think about the residents that live there and pay taxes."

The city is working on a plan that includes installing new sidewalks, adding new pavement markings, and repaving the streets.

Residents who live nearby say the fix will increase problems like speeding.

"Has to be another solution and it could be stopping left turn onto Forest Street."

"Perhaps a blinking light or a caution sign a slow down, not widen and go faster," says Yda Filiberti.

Dozens of residents spoke out against the plans at a public works committee meeting Tuesday.

Concerns raised include the environmental impact of construction as well as increased traffic problems.

“Basically they're concerned about land taking basically the medians on side of the road we really want to keep," says Luanne Branch who lives near the intersection.

Meanwhile, DPW Commissioner Bob Moylan says the plans don't include any land taking.

He says the changes will slow traffic in both directions and reduce public safety response times.

"If you don't have cars sitting and waiting, the air quality will actually improve."

But residents say there are better solutions.

“I think plans last night have some tweaking to be done.”

Copyright NECNMIGR - NECN
Contact Us