WORCESTER—The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) recently snagged a significant funding boost to address one of Worcester’s longest-standing urban challenges: the physical and social divide caused by Interstate 290 (I-290).
With a new $125,000 Community Planning grant from the Community One Stop for Growth program, coupled with an existing $625,000 from federal and MassDOT sources, this initiative now has a $750,000 total budget to explore solutions to reunite neighborhoods separated by the interstate, according to CMRPC.
The project, announced on Oct. 24 by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, focuses specifically on the area around the Vernon Street interchange. The plan not only examines the impact of the interstate on local neighborhoods but will also seek ways to restore access, mobility, and cohesion.
“The construction of I-290 has profoundly impacted neighborhoods in Worcester, displacing homes and businesses and disrupting community cohesion,” said Sujatha Krishnan, CMRPC deputy executive director in a statement. “This grant allows us to explore innovative solutions that will reconnect our neighborhoods and restore access and mobility for residents.”
Reimagining the Vernon Street Bridge
At the heart of the study is the Vernon Street Bridge, which links Worcester’s growing Canal District with neighborhoods to the east. But CMRPC’s scope extends beyond just the bridge. According to the press release, it is considering transformative possibilities such as “freeway lidding,” a process that could turn the existing roadway into green space or allow for new development.
Over the next 18 months, CMRPC plans to work with MassDOT and the city to hire a consultant and proceed through five essential phases: defining project goals, collecting existing data, assessing current challenges, developing alternative solutions, and ultimately crafting recommendations. Officials maintain that community engagement will be a priority throughout, with a strong focus on involving residents from the affected areas.
“This effort and commitment to reconnect the neighborhoods and residents of the Vernon Street and Union Hill areas to greater economic opportunities is critical to encouraging economic and housing growth,” said Barry Lorion, MassDOT District 3 highway director, in the press release. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with CMRPC, the City of Worcester, and all stakeholders as we move toward improving the safety, air quality, mobility, and health outcomes for these neighborhoods.”
A collaborative vision for Worcester
This initiative represents a larger vision of equitable development, a sentiment echoed by CMRPC Executive Director Janet Pierce. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Executive Office of Economic Development for their support,” Pierce said in the announcement. “With the support of this grant, we can develop a plan that truly benefits all residents in the surrounding Vernon Hill neighborhood.”
Commissioner Stephen Rolle, Worcester’s transportation and mobility commissioner, highlighted the broader implications of the project. “The Vernon Street project addresses major transportation barriers that continue to divide the city and impact access to jobs, services, shopping, and more,” Rolle noted in a statement. “We look forward to partnering with CMRPC, MassDOT, and residents to reestablish connections between the Vernon, Grafton, and Union Hill neighborhoods and downtown Worcester.”
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