LYNN — The city of Lynn has received a $200,000 grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for roadway improvements on Western Avenue, one of its most congested corridors, the mayor’s office announced.
The funding will go toward the planned $36.2 million project, one of three scheduled projects eligible for Federal Highway funding that the city has been working with its consultant, WorldTech Engineering, on advancing through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) process.
“The grant will be used to subsidize the approximately $3 million in engineering cost the city is responsible to fund for the Western Avenue Transportation Improvement Program project,” said Mayor Thomas M. McGee in a statement. “I would like to thank the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for this grant that will enable the city to move forward on this important project that will improve our transportation infrastructure, and address long overdue traffic and safety deficiencies in this area.”
Work is aimed at making the corridor safer and more operationally-friendly for all forms of transportation, including for cars, pedestrians, bicycles and transit.
About 2 miles of Western Avenue will be reconstructed, which includes the rehabilitation of the pavement, with new concrete sidewalks, ADA-compliant crosswalks and wheelchair ramps, bicycle accommodations and upgraded transit accommodations. All traffic signals within the project area will be upgraded, which the mayor’s office said will improve traffic flow, safety and reduce congestion.
The planned roadway improvements would stretch along Western Avenue from Centre Street to Eastern Avenue, along three segments of roadway extending around Stop & Shop, including Franklin Street, Boston Street and Washington Street.
Four of the intersections that will see upgrades — at Eastern Avenue, Chestnut Street, Washington Street and Franklin Street — are among the state’s Top 200 High Crash intersections, according to McGee’s office.
