Plainville and North Attleborough plan multi‑season intersection widening under TIP

A committee member said Plainville is partnering with North Attleborough on a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) project to widen a congested intersection and improve traffic flow and safety. The official said the town approved funding at the Annual Town Meeting to complete acquisition of easements needed for the work.

The project is slated to begin construction this summer and is expected to run into next fall, with speakers warning that the work "won't be pleasant" for drivers and could create lengthy delays. Officials cited risks of schedule slips from supply‑chain problems, major events and weather.

Speakers emphasized that the work is intended to address longstanding safety and congestion problems at the location. One meeting participant described peak‑hour turning delays from Route 1 onto Route 152 as "a nightmare," underscoring the need for better turn lanes and signal timing.

Officials said the partnership between Plainville and North Attleborough helped secure state involvement and funding support. The committee member said the town began pursuing the project about five years ago and called the planned changes — including added turn lanes and revised light timing — key to improving baseline conditions for new and existing residents.

Town staff noted they will scale back routine maintenance where pavement will be reconstructed but said crews will still perform some pothole repairs before work begins, which carries short‑term costs.

Construction consequences and next steps: the town expects major lane disruptions during the multi‑season construction window; officials said the start is planned for this summer and completion is tentatively next fall. No formal new votes or motions were recorded in this discussion; the details to be finalized include exact start dates, contractor schedules and traffic‑control plans.