You Ask, Patch Answers

Why Do Sidewalks End at Route 9?

The latest 'You Ask, Patch Answers' addresses that question.

Editor's note: In our column "You Ask, Patch Answers," we help you to find answers to your questions. Email westborough@patch.com if you have a question that you would like us to investigate. Today, we answer this inquiry: Why are there no sidewalks on much of Route 9? Patch asked Massachusetts Department of Transportation spokesman Michael Verseckes. "Sidewalks along state highways are typically provided as a result of a request from the municipality during project design or are constructed by a private developer as a form of impact mitigation.  "Right now, on Route 9, there are sidewalks through sections of Shrewsbury, a small piece of Southborough, and some through Framingham and Natick.   "Sidewalks are typically located in area where …

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State Recommends Route 9/I-495 Changes

The project manager recently met with the Westborough planning board.

Expanding Route 9 to three lanes, both ways, between Computer Drive in Westborough and Deerfoot Road in Southborough would help address traffic congestion and safety issues at the Interstate 495 interchange, a new state transportation study says. The recommendation is among several that Massachusetts Department of Transportation Project Manager Calli Cenizal presented to the Westborough Planning Board last Tuesday night. Similar meetings were held with the Southborough Planning Board on Jan. 7, and the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen on Jan. 8. Cenizal presented the recommendations in state transportation officials' I-495 and Route 9 Interchange Improvement Study. The study covered "the I-495/Route 9 and I-495/I-90 interchanges, I-495 between…

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I-90 Interchange Traffic, Safety Topic of Oct. 30 Meeting

It's the next milestone in 18-month study.

The next milestone toward traffic and safety improvements at the Massachusetts Turnpike's interchanges with Route 9 and Interstate 495 in Westborough and Southborough is an Oct. 30 public meeting, state transportation officials said today. The meeting is from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the 495/Metrowest Partnership's meeting room, 200 Friberg Parkway in Westborough, the state Department of Transportation said in a press release. The 18-month I-495/Route 9 Interchange Study by the agency's Office of Transportation Planning launched in September 2011 and has five to six months to go, state transportation spokesman Michael Verseckes said. The study includes Route 9 near I-495. The state transportation planning department has met with stakeholders …

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I-495 Crash During Tuesday Morning Commute Causes No Injuries

The two-car crash was reported at 8:20 a.m.

A two-car accident on Interstate 495 South at Route 9 in Westborough this morning caused no injuries, State Police said. A 1995 Mazda Protege was towed after the crash, which was reported at 8:20 a.m., State Police said. A 2011 Ford F150 also was involved.

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Fallen Utility Pole Snarls Westborough Route 9 Traffic Monday Night

Crews finished fixing the pole at 4 this morning.

Traffic on Route 9 in Westborough was diverted onto Route 135 for three hours Monday night after a truck snagged a low-hanging wire, knocking down a utility pole, Police Chief Alan Gordon said today. The truck was heading west when it caught the wire, Gordon said. Route 9 traffic was diverted onto Route 135 from 7:15 to 10:15 p.m., when all of Route 9 west, and one east lane, reopened, he said. Crews finished fixing the pole about 4 a.m., he said. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

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Officials Discuss 495/9 Congestion, Consider Options

The interchange was the topic of discussion at a morning meeting in Westborough.

Will Vets Day Mean Less Traffic? Check Live Map

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Which Way Today? Live Traffic Map Can Help

Be sure to stop back on your way home this afternoon and find the best commute route.

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What Would You Put Here?

BJs packed up and moved to Northborough about a month ago, leaving this vacant retail space in Speedway Plaza.

When BJs moved to Northborough Crossing last month, it left behind a prime piece of retail real estate in Speedway Plaza. If you could make the decision, what would you put here? Share your ideas in the comments below.   Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest Westborough news, or simply hit the "like" button at the top of this page.  

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Afternoon Commuter Traffic Halts in Westborough

Two accidents near the 5:00 p.m. hour tie up travel.

The evening commute on Westborough Interstates was slow this afternoon. Two different accidents on Route 495 southbound, both reported around 5 p.m., put the intersections of Routes 9, 90 and 495 in a gridlock during the 5 p.m. hour. The first accident reportedly took place near exit 23, the intersection with Route 9. Two people were taken from the scene by ambulance. The second accident was reported to be on Route 495 southbound in Hopkinton, near the Route 85 intersection. According to scanner reports, Westborough firefighters responding to the first accident then tried to get to the scene of the second accident but found traffic to be gridlocked. Shortly after 5:30 p.m., the backups dissolved and commuters were able to travel through …

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