Flood-Prone Worcester Route 20, 122 Intersection In For Fix: MassDOT

WORCESTER, MA — One of Worcester's most flood-prone intersections may soon get fixed under a new MassDOT program funded by the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

MassDOT plans to spend about $24 million over the next four years on "highway resiliency" projects on routes that are vulnerable during extreme weather events. The intersection of Route 122 and Route 20 in MassDOT's 2024–2028 Capital Investment Plan as one of those resiliency projects.

Route 20 — also known as Southwest Cutoff — dips below a Route 122 overpass, forming a bowl that fills with runoff during heavy rain. Drains along Route 20 often clog, preventing the roadway from draining.

During a flash thunderstorm in 2021, multiple cars got stuck under the overpass in a flash flood.

MassDOT released the 2024–2028 Capital Investment Plan this week, and it includes funding for other major projects in Worcester, including a makeover of Chandler Street:

• $20.75 million for reconstruction of the Harrison and Laurel street bridges crossing I-290
• $20 million total for Chandler Street resurfacing and improvements — including bike and pedestrian updates — between Main Street and Park Avenue
• $30.36 million to replace the I-290 bridge over East Central Street

MassDOT is now accepting public comment on the total $15.4 billion CIP plan. A meeting specifically for Central Massachusetts residents about the CIP will be held June 5 at 6 p.m.