MassDOT releasing project timeline, design/construction information for Route 79-Davol Street project

FALL RIVER – After Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler joined Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, Mayor Paul Coogan, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and Fall River officials celebrated the beginning of the $135 million Route 79 and Davol Street Corridor Improvement project late last month, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is announcing a virtual public information meeting for the Route 79-Davol Street Corridor Improvements Project that will be held on Wednesday, January 18, at 6:30 p.m.

At this meeting, the project team will provide a presentation, including project timeline and design/construction information, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments. Registered individuals will be added to the email list for project updates.

MassDOT says that they are redesigning the mile long corridor along and across Route 79 and Davol Street to improve mobility, connectivity, and safety. The corridor will be transformed into a multi-modal urban boulevard, connecting the neighborhoods to the Taunton River while promoting economic growth by creating new development parcels to contribute to economic development.

According to MassDOT, “the existing Route 79 is being relocated approximately onto the current alignments of northbound and southbound Davol Street, which will allow creation of development parcels along the existing Route 79 alignment. The work also includes, but is not limited to, the design and construction of local street connections to the corridor, including Brightman Street, President Avenue, Hathaway Street, and Turner Street. The project also includes the design and construction of a network of shared use paths and sidewalks, and new traffic signals. The project also requires the design and construction of a new bridge structure and retaining walls, as well as a new drainage system.”

MassDOT states that a secure right-of-way is necessary for this project and acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary easements may be required. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands and the land acquisition policy will be presented in the hearing.

The meeting information, including the registration link, will be available on the study website. Once registered, an individual will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with information about joining the webinar.