The Planning Board on Monday night approved EMC’s plan to build a 10-building office and research complex on 445-acres off Rte. 9. The decision caps more than 2 years of back-and-forth between the town and EMC over the project.
As part of the construction project, changes will be made to Rte 9 and its connector roads. Details from the Metrowest Daily News:
…Improvements will be made in three construction phases. During Phase A, Washington Street will be relocated to connect with Coslin Drive; the right-hand turn lane on Crystal Pond Road will be extended; and Rte. 9 eastbound will be widened to create an acceleration lane from Crystal Pond Road.
During Phase B-1, Rte. 9 will be widened from Interstate 495 to Crystal Pond Road to create three travel lanes in each direction. A “jug handle” will be created at Rte. 9 and Crystal Pond Road, and an additional left-turn lane at Rte. 9 and Crystal Pond Road will be built….
The third phase calls for a “flyover” across Rte. 9, but the town is not in favor of this idea so other solutions will be sought.
In addition to traffic issues, the Planning Board and EMC discussed other conditions of the project including open space and soil preservation.
EMC still needs approval from Westborough’s Conservation Commission before moving ahead with construction.
Update: According to this article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, EMC still needs approval from the Westboro Planning Board and the conservation commissions in both Westboro and Southborough before moving ahead with the project.
