FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2024
Anthony Senesi: asenesi@cmrpc.org
CMRPC Awarded $125,000 Community Planning Grant to Improve Connectivity at Vernon Street/I-290 Interchange in Worcester
Worcester, MA – The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $125,000 Community Planning grant from the Community One Stop for Growth program. This award was announced by the Healey-Driscoll Administration on October 24, 2024. The funding will be instrumental in addressing the economic, educational, social, civic, and recreational barriers created by the construction of Interstate 290 (I-290) in Worcester, specifically the Vernon Street interchange.
This grant will complement an already committed $625,000 from Federal and MassDOT funds, resulting in a total investment of $750,000 for this important planning initiative. The project aims to engage the community in a comprehensive transportation and land use planning process to mitigate the significant divide caused by I-290.
“The construction of I-290 has profoundly impacted neighborhoods in Worcester, displacing homes and businesses and disrupting community cohesion,” said Sujatha Krishnan, CMRPC Deputy Executive Director “This grant allows us to explore innovative solutions that will reconnect our neighborhoods and restore access and mobility for residents.”
Central to the study will be the Vernon Street Bridge, a critical link between the burgeoning Canal District and the eastern neighborhoods. However, CMRPC recognizes that addressing the bridge alone is insufficient. The planning study will consider a wide range of alternatives to enhance connectivity, including concepts like ‘freeway lidding,’ which could create new green spaces and development opportunities.
Over the next 18 months, CMRPC will collaborate with MassDOT and the City of Worcester to hire a consultant who will guide the planning activities. The study will include five key tasks: establishing project goals, collecting existing data, evaluating issues and opportunities, developing alternatives, and finalizing recommendations.
Community engagement will be a cornerstone of the planning process. CMRPC is dedicated to working alongside communities and with residents most affected by land use and transportation policies, ensuring that the study reflects their needs and aspirations.
“This effort and commitment to reconnect the neighborhoods and residents of the Vernon Street and Union Hill areas to greater economic opportunities is critical to encouraging economic and housing growth and address transportation needs for this area,” added Barry Lorion, MassDOT District 3 Highway Director, “We look forward to our continued collaboration with CMRPC, the City of Worcester and all stakeholders as we move toward improving the safety, air quality, mobility and health outcomes for these neighborhoods.”
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Executive Office of Economic Development for their support,” added Janet Pierce, CMRPC Executive Director, “This is an exciting opportunity to rethink how we can better serve our community and create a more equitable and connected environment. With the support of this grant, we can develop a plan that truly benefits all residents in the surrounding Vernon Hill neighborhood.”
“The Vernon Street project addresses major transportation barriers that continue to divide the city and impact access to jobs, services, shopping and more,” added Stephen Rolle, City of Worcester, Transportation & Mobility Commissioner, “We look forward to partnering with CMRPC, MassDOT, and residents to reestablish connections between the Vernon, Grafton, and Union Hill neighborhoods and downtown Worcester.”
Founded by the Legislature in 1963, CMRPC provides a variety of services to its constituencies and brings a regional perspective to planning and development. One of 13 Regional Planning Agencies in Massachusetts, CMRPC serves the City of Worcester and 39 surrounding communities in the southern two-thirds of Worcester County. CMRPC’s programs include Transportation, Regional Collaboration and Community Planning, and Geographic Information Systems.
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