Route 138 - Mass DOT Construction

Project 2022-2025

JULY 2023 – ROUTE 138    RAYNHAM, Mass. Detour Map Below

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced it will be working on Route 138 in Raynham with an estimated start date of July 24, 2023. The construction will take place from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, until 2025.  

The work will begin about 300 feet north of King Phillips Street to Carver Street. The work will consist of roadway reconstruction, installation of traffic signals at intersections, sidewalk construction, wheelchair ramps, new granite curb, drainage improvements, installation of new signs and pavement markings.

Drivers traveling through the area should expect travel delays as lane restrictions and alternating one-way traffic will be in place.

Pleasant Street Roadway and Sidewalk Improvements 2021 Completed

We are designing changes to make Pleasant Street safer and accessible for all modes of travel –walking and biking – and for people of all ages and abilities. You can learn more about the new sidewalk by:

Visiting the project website (pdf at the bottom)  for a brief overview, construction plans, and other information.

Project description: The Town of Raynham is proposing the construction of a new sidewalk with granite curbing on the east side of Pleasant Street from Route 104 to White Street. Currently, there are sidewalks on both sides of Pleasant Street from Route 104 to the Pleasant Street Cemetery, where the existing sidewalks end. However, the existing sidewalks are in poor repair and are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The easterly side of Pleasant Street was chosen for the new sidewalk as the utility poles generally run along the westerly side of the road.  The utility poles are currently in the existing sidewalk and make pedestrian passage difficult.  Given that the Pleasant Street right-of-way does not allow for widening sidewalks on this side, the easterly side of Pleasant Street became the obvious choice to avoid significant land takings from abutters.  The work would remove this existing sidewalk.

The project goals and benefits: The main purpose of the work is to provide a continuous pedestrian path throughout the community.  Currently, at least one sidewalk runs along Pleasant Street from Pine Street in Bridgewater to White Street. From White Street, there are intermittent areas of old sidewalks to the Route 104/Orchard Street intersection.  From the “4 Corners” intersection, a sidewalk continues southerly along South Main Street to Route 44, and northwesterly along North Main Street to the Bridgewater Town line.  The five (5) mile Pleasant Street / South Main Street corridor is a major thoroughfare connecting the north side of the Town to the southern end. It is also a regional connector between Bridgewater to the north and Taunton to the south. This project will fill in the gap in the pedestrian connectivity on the main corridor through Raynham Center. This project will make it possible for school children to be able to safely walk along Pleasant Street to the Merrill and LaLiberte Elementary Schools. The new sidewalk will also provide a continuous and safe pedestrian path to other community uses in the Town, such as the Raynham Town Hall, youth sports fields, the Public Library, and Johnson’s Pond.  Crosswalks along with the signing and ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps at intersections will improve the safety of pedestrians crossing Pleasant Street.

The road is heavily used by pedestrians. The road is classified as “Urban Minor Arterial”. Approximately 5,000 vehicles travel this road every day. The vehicles travel faster than the Design Speed for this type of roadway. The construction of the sidewalk and filling the gap in the pedestrian connectivity will minimize potential safety risks to the general public and Promote walking for all ages including children and seniors.

How the project will be implemented:

The Pleasant Street roadway and sidewalk construction will be provided with the Town’s hired contractors along with Raynham Highway Department personnel. These contracts include all aspects of construction for the Town such as sidewalk and curbing, paving, installing drainage structures, and other work. All work will be overseen by the Raynham Highway Department.

Public Engagement and Support for the project: The Board of Selectmen as well as the Southeastern Regional Planning Agency & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) is in support of this project. SRPEDD's Raynham Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Transit Network Plan shows the gap in the connectivity within the scope of this project and the need to make a continuous walking network both locally and regionally.

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Raynham Highway Department 2022 Roadway Reconstruction and Resurfacing Projects, and Sidewalk Improvements and other Information

 

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PDF icon Route 138 Detour July 2023772.99 KB