Design background
MassDOT developed the project design in partnership with the Town of North Andover and public stakeholders. Project goals include improvements that address the following areas:
- Intersection and corridor safety
- Deficient pedestrian safety and bicycle accommodations
- Traffic Congestion
Design features
The project includes a range of design improvements intended to make Route 114 safer, more accessible, and more efficient for all users:
- A more consistent roadway layout including five travel lanes in key areas.
- Raised medians and controlled access at select locations to help reduce crashes and organize turns at intersections.
- New sidewalks, crosswalks, and an ADA-compliant pedestrian corridor to improve walking access to neighborhoods and businesses along Route 114.
- Designated bicycle lanes on several connecting roadways and a shared-use path along the corridor.
- Bus pull-outs, accessible bus stops, and safer pedestrian crossings near transit areas, coordinated with the Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa).
- The installation of one new traffic signal at the Turnpike Street and Hillside Road intersection, and the replacement of eight existing traffic signals within the corridor.
Project development and public process
The Route 114 Corridor Improvements project is the result of years of planning, coordination, and design.
The effort began with the 2010 MVPC Route 114 Corridor Study, which identified the need for improvements along the corridor.
In 2016, MassDOT formally initiated the project, and in 2017–2018, the agency began coordinating with the Town of North Andover to further develop the project.
The project then advanced through key design milestones, including the 25% design submission and public hearing in 2020–2021, followed by the 75% design submission, environmental permitting, and right-of-way activities in 2022–2023.
| Activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| 2010 Corridor Study | 2010 |
| 2014 Road Safety Audit (RSA), Peters Street to Willow Street | 2014 |
| 2018 RSA (Waverly Road) | 6/5/18 |
| Public Information Meeting #1 | 12/10/2018 |
| Public Information Meeting #2 | 04/11/2019 |
| North Andover Select Board Meeting | 03/08/2021 |
| 2021 RSA, Willow Street to Mill Road | 11/18/21 |
| North Andover Planning Board Meeting | 05/18/2021 |
| 25% Design Public Hearing | 10/28/2021 |
| Public Information Meeting for Environmental Notification Form (ENF) | 03/23/2023 |
| Expanded ENF Filed | 07/17/2023 |
| Public Meeting #4 | 12/07/2023 |
| MEPA Consultation Session | 08/08/2023 |
| Environmental permitting and Right of Way | 2022 - 2023 |
| Contract Award to J.H. Lynch & Sons, Inc. (Construction) | 2026 |