MassDOT presents four redesign options for Conquered Rotary; residents press for Baker Avenue fixes and pedestrian connections

At a public information meeting in Conquered, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation presented four preliminary designs to replace the Route 2 rotary, saying three grade‑separated options and one at‑grade alternative are being evaluated for safety and traffic‑flow gains.

"The purpose for tonight's public information meeting is to present the preliminary design concepts which our team has been preparing for the Route 2/2A/111/119 interchange to the public for feedback and comment," said Anthony Kristakis, the project manager for the Conquered Rotary interchange project. He told the audience the team’s traffic modeling predicts travel times on a representative eastbound segment could fall from about seven minutes to roughly two and a half minutes — about a 65% improvement — if a grade‑separated concept is advanced.

Why it matters: MassDOT gave preliminary cost ranges and a multi‑year schedule that will affect regional commuters and the planned redevelopment of the former MCI Conquered site. MassDOT staff said the three grade‑separated concepts are the most effective operationally and carry estimated costs roughly in the $150–$200 million range; the at‑grade signalized option was described as less effective and was estimated at about $80–$100 million. The project team said it expects to define a recommended concept after this public comment period, begin 25% design in spring 2027, hold a 25% design public hearing in winter 2028–29, aim to complete final design by spring 2030 and, if schedules hold, proceed with a roughly five‑year construction period.

What was presented: The four alternatives include (1) a diamond grade‑separated interchange keeping Route 2 free flowing with Commonwealth Avenue and Route 2A/119 on a bridge, (2) a partial cloverleaf that shifts some local approaches to avoid sensitive sites, (3) a diverging diamond layout with a larger footprint and higher cost, and (4) an at‑grade signalized design that would provide smaller improvements for some movements and, MassDOT said, would require a smaller budget but offer less operational benefit. The team also outlined consistent upgrades at the Baker Avenue Extension intersection, including a replacement Route 2 bridge over the Asabet River to meet 100‑year flood elevations and added turn and through lanes to reduce backups into Route 2.

Right‑of‑way and legal protections: Michael Rutderman of Mass. Highways’ right‑of‑way group described potential land impacts and the acquisition process for temporary easements or permanent takings, including appraisal and review procedures and legal remedies for property owners. He cited applicable frameworks including the Real Property Act of 1970 and Mass. General Laws chapter 79 and said landowners whose property would be affected will be contacted individually once right‑of‑way plans are advanced.

How the redevelopment fits: Paul Lilahhogen, senior project manager with the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DAM), told attendees DAM supports improvements to Route 2 and said the MCI Conquered redevelopment depends on “significant and meaningful improvements to replace the existing Rotary” to deliver housing and other uses while maximizing developable land.

Public concerns and MassDOT responses: The question‑and‑answer period featured many residents pressing for pedestrian crossings, safer local access, and clearer coordination with the redevelopment. Alyssa Brown, a Conquered Green resident, described the Elm Street/Baker Avenue approach as "very scary" for drivers and pedestrians; MassDOT said the proposed auxiliary lanes and signal control should reduce the sight‑distance conflicts residents described. Multiple speakers asked whether the traffic signal at Baker Avenue could be removed; MassDOT responded the signal will remain but that dual left turns, additional through lanes and lane reassignments are intended to reduce the backups that now queue into Route 2.

Several residents urged stronger multimodal and transit options. Ellen Quackenbush, chair of the Conquered Transportation Advisory Committee, asked the team to look beyond the immediate rotary to corridor‑level solutions and to consider lane‑width changes and transit frequency as tools to reduce vehicle miles traveled. MassDOT and town consultants said corridor studies are underway and that some pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements are being pursued in separate or coordinated projects.

Other recurring questions included requests for: pedestrian overpasses at Baker Avenue (MassDOT said an overpass is not in scope for this project), pedestrian or wildlife passages under the Asabet River bridge (engineers said floodplain constraints limit under‑bridge passage during high water), and live traffic cameras (MassDOT noted state traffic cameras exist and may be available via its website).

Numbers, schedule and costs: MassDOT presented modelled travel‑time improvements, preliminary cost ranges (grade‑separated concepts roughly $150–$200 million; at‑grade option about $80–$100 million), and a multi‑step schedule that includes public comment this summer, a possible commuter meeting in fall 2026, 25% design work beginning in spring 2027, a 25% public hearing in winter 2028–29, and a target for final design in spring 2030 followed by about five years of construction if funding and approvals proceed.

What’s next: Project staff said they will collect written and emailed comments during the public comment period, re‑evaluate design alternatives for fatal flaws raised by residents (including proximity to the prison cemetery and historic resources), rank designs against project goals, and publish recommended next steps. The project team remained in the meeting space after the formal session for one‑on‑one questions and provided contact information for written submissions.