A 15-month project to resurface nearly 8 miles of Route 9 stretching from the Framingham/Southborough line into Natick starts next week. There won’t be any roadwork in Southborough, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re heading to Framingham or Natick. Read the full article → from Route 9 roadwork starts next week
commuting
Tough week for Southborough train commuters
Switch problems in Worcester this morning led to significant delays on the Worcester/Framingham commuter rail line that runs through Southborough. A commuter who catches the train in Grafton said it’s been a bad week on the rail line: …out of 5 commutes this week, 3 of them have been delayed by more than 1/2 hour. Read the full article → from Tough week for Southborough train commuters
Wednesday’s traffic mess
Fire Chief John Mauro, Jr. told me strong winds yesterday toppled a tree and forced the closure of Route 9 west near Flagg Road. That’s what caused the major backup along Route 9 last night. Downed trees and power lines in other areas contributed to the rush hour mess. On the bright side, yesterday’s weather Read the full article → from Wednesday’s traffic mess
Traffic mess on Routes 9 and 85
Traffic is a mess on Route 9 this evening. I just drove over the Route 85 bridge, and Route 9 west is backed up in both directions as far as the eye can see. I believe — although I haven’t confirmed — that the traffic light at White’s Corner (Route 9 and Breakneck Hill Road) is out. Read the full article → from Traffic mess on Routes 9 and 85
Commuter rail train from Southborough involved in low-speed crash
A commuter rail train on the Worcester/Framingham line crashed into a bumper at South Station this morning injuring about 20 passengers, the Boston Globe reports. None of the injuries appear to be life threatening. Train number 512 left the Southborough station around 8:03 am today. Any Southborough commuters on board have a first-hand report? Update: Read the full article → from Commuter rail train from Southborough involved in low-speed crash
Were you caught in Route 9 traffic this morning?
I have the luxury of working from home, so I’m free of the toils of a daily commute, but from what I hear it was a bad one out there this morning. The Metrowest Daily News reports a water main break, presumably in Framingham, had traffic backed up on Route 9 east from Prospect Street Read the full article → from Were you caught in Route 9 traffic this morning?
Northboro Road bridge may need repairs
The wooden planks on the bridge that crosses the railroad tracks at Northboro Road (map) are popping up. And that’s not a good thing. Town Engineer John Woodsmall tells me the bridge is owned and maintained by the Mass Highway Department. Occasionally the planks that make up the bridge deck pop up and have to Read the full article → from Northboro Road bridge may need repairs
Regional planners suggest improvements to I-495
A couple regional planning committees have been studying the I-495 corridor from Berlin to Hopkinton, including the portion that runs through Southborough. This week they presented some ideas to improve the traffic capacity of interchanges on 495 and to reduce traffic along the corridor, reports the Metrowest Daily News. In addition to redesigning the interchange Read the full article → from Regional planners suggest improvements to I-495
Rates for Southborough train riders may increase
The MBTA is considering raising ticket prices on commuter rail lines, including the Boston-Worcester line that runs through Southborough. The proposed rate hikes would increase the one-way fare from Southborough to Boston from $6.75 to $7.75. That’s an increase of nearly 15%. There’s also talk of eliminating weekday trains after 7:00 pm along with all Read the full article → from Rates for Southborough train riders may increase
In the media: Locals join Pike lawsuit
Southborough resident Robert Ackley was one of three original plantiffs in the class-action lawsuit against the Turnpike Authority that alleges unfair taxation. The Metrowest Daily News has a story on how the lawsuit came to be: In March, Sandra Murphy had a letter published in the Daily News, arguing the Mass. Turnpike toll system is Read the full article → from In the media: Locals join Pike lawsuit
Southborough resident in the middle of Pike toll battle
You’ve probably heard about the class-action lawsuit against the Turnpike Authority that alleges Mass Pike tolls are an “unfair tax,” but what you might not know is that a Southborough man is right in the thick of it. Robert Ackley of Southborough was one of three Metrowest residents to file the suit against the beleaguered Read the full article → from Southborough resident in the middle of Pike toll battle
No commuter rail parking at Fitzgerald’s – for now
The plan by the owner of Fitzgerald’s General Store to offer cheaper commuter rail parking is dead, at least for now. The Metrowest Daily News reports that the Zoning Board of Appeals denied without prejudice Ramanbhati Patel’s request for a special permit to offer monthly parking in his lot. He will be able to reapply Read the full article → from No commuter rail parking at Fitzgerald’s – for now
Update on commuter rail parking at Fitzgerald’s
Several of you expressed interest in the plan by Fitzgerald’s General Store to offer discounted commuter rail parking, so here’s an update. The proposal was supposed to come before the Zoning Board of Appeals last night, but it had to be postponed due to a scheduling conflict. It’s now scheduled to come before the board Read the full article → from Update on commuter rail parking at Fitzgerald’s
Parking potential at Fitzgerald’s
Hoping to capitalize on dissatisfaction over the last fall’s hike in parking fees at commuter rail stations, Ramanbhati Patel, owner of Fitzgerald’s General Store wants to convert his parking lot into a lower-priced option for commuters. But he’ll need to get through the Zoning Board of Appeals first. Patel will need a special permit from Read the full article → from Parking potential at Fitzgerald’s