The Massachusetts House of Representatives has voted to enact a bond bill toward transportation projects across the Commonwealth. Included in this package is critical funding for improvements along Route 114.
Members of the North Andover legislative delegation have fiercely advocated in recent months for funding toward improvements in pedestrian and bicycle safety along Route 114 in North Andover, from the Lawrence municipal boundary to the intersection of Route 114 and Hillside Road.
A Road Safety Audit was conducted by MassDOT back in January at the request of the delegation after public safety concerns were alerted to them by Merrimack College and the Town of North Andover. According to MassDOT, Route 114 has among the highest reported incidents of vehicle accidents in the area.
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The requested improvements, which include sidewalk construction and better accommodations for cyclists and pedestrians, have been fully funded at $1.5 million in the final bond bill.
“Over the past year, we have heard many concerns from residents in the community, from cyclists to drivers to pedestrians, about the safety conditions on Route 114,” said Representative Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen), who represents a portion of North Andover. “To meet these concerns with action, we needed to come up with the necessary funding and with the passage of this bond bill, we will be able to do just that.”
