Bids To Fix Route 9/Route 126 Flooding Problem To Be Opened Next Week

FRAMINGHAM – For decades, when there is a forecast of heavy rain, most Framingham and MetroWest drivers know to avoid the intersection of Route 9 and Route 126.

That state-maintained highway floods in heavy rains, but it never fails at least one vehicle needs to be towed from the intersection when it floods.

Well progress is finally being made to alleviate that decades-long problem.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) advertised for bids for a Framingham drainage improvements project at Route 9 & Route 126 on June 26 of this year.

And, those bids are due to be opened on September 8, said Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis to SOURCE.

The Commonwealth anticipates a “Notice to Proceed” will be issued to the contractor this fall, said Rep. Lewis.

This project will reduce the extent and duration of flooding on Route 9 by providing stormwater infiltration basins at the intersection of Fairbanks Street and Beacon Street, explained Rep. Lewis.

MassDOT has been in a preliminary design phase to improve the intersection since 2017.

The project involves construction of two detention basins located in the cloverleaf areas west of Route 126, north and south of Route 9.

The existing MassDOT salt shed also needs to be relocated about 3 miles east on Route 9 in Framingham as part of the project.

The design for a new salt shed is progressing and that project should be advertised in November 2021, said Rep Lewis to the digital news outlet yesterday, September 1.

The flood-prone intersection is located in both District 4 & District 5 in the City of Framingham. The Route 9/126 intersection now floods from all directions – north, south, east & west.

Framingham Police had to close Route 9 in both directions last month, when Tropical Storm Fred rolled into the City.

A couple of vehicles were stick at the flooded intersection in July, when a thunderstorm caused flooding.

The estimated cost of the MassDOT project has increased from $2.87 million to $3.7 million.

Specifically the project scope includes:

• Installation of two detention basins to retain and treat stormwater and alleviate flooding in the area.
• The first basin is proposed at the intersection of Fairbanks Street and Beacon Street.
• The second basin is proposed at the existing MassDOT salt shed at the on-ramp to Route 9 eastbound from Route 126.
• Installation of drainage structures and piping within Route 9 and Route 126.
• Installation of landscaping
• Installation and improving pedestrian sidewalks.
• Project does not include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations for Route 9.

A public hearing on the project was held in February 2021.

When construction begins, construction will include road closures, detours, and both day & night hours of construction.

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File photo of flooding at Route 9