Interchange Funds To Help Prep MetroWest For Growth
Congressman McGovern discusses funding for the I-495/Route 9 interchange.
The heavily traveled Interstate 495 and Route 9 interchange in Westborough is expected to benefit from $285,000 in federal money.
The funding was announced at a press conference today held at 50 Washington St., an office building near the interchange that is owned by Carruth Capital. The funding will cover preliminary planning, engineering and design for the expansion of the interchange.
U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, who helped get the funds approved, said that once the planning and design phase is completed, the project should be eligible for construction funds when the Federal Highway Bill is reauthorized later this year.
The area directly around the interchange in Westborough and Southborough now supports an estimated 18,000 employees, a number that is projected to grow dramatically in the coming years, according to Paul Matthews, executive director of the 495/MetroWest Partnership. And he said four of the eight ramps are already reaching capacity.
"The case speaks for itself," he said.
Despite the current recession, McGovern said, the MetroWest area has to consider whether it will be prepared when the economy starts expanding again.
"I think the funding for this interchange helps answer that question," he said.
Jeffery Mullan, undersecretary and chief operating office of the state Executive Office of Transportation, said the MetroWest area represents an economic bright spot for the state.
"More people are moving out here," he said. "There's more expansion. There's more development."
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