December 14, 2005
HEALEY OPENS RELOCATED RT. 44 BETWEEN CARVER AND KINGSTON
New Section of Roadway Final Piece in $102 Million Relocation Effort
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey today cut the ribbon on a $53 million project that has relocated a six-mile section of Route 44 between the Plymouth town line in Kingston and Route 58 in Carver.
“We know that there’s a shortage of east-west routes in this part of the state, and until today, motorists have had to decide between driving way out of their way or traveling over meandering back roads,” said Healey. “As a direct connector between Route 3 and I-495, the new Route 44 is going to be a major timesaver for commuters, local residents, businesses, and tourists in the area.”
This newly opened section of roadway is the third and final piece in the effort to completely relocate Route 44 between Plymouth and Carver. Today’s opening connects new Route 44 with a previously relocated section between Route 3 in Plymouth the Kingston town line. That section of new roadway was completed in July of 2004 and is 1.5 miles long.
A contract completed in 1997 was the first project in the relocation effort. That contract made a series of interchange improvements to facilitate traffic flow during construction of the new roadway at a cost of $12.4 million.
“The significance of the relocation project is profound for this entire region,” said Transportation Secretary John Cogliano. “The area had long been lacking an efficient and effective east-west connector, and this new roadway will dramatically improve the flow of business, commerce, and people.”
The old Route 44 has long been identified as a substandard undivided road that is not able to handle the traffic volume that it sees on a daily basis. New Route 44 is a limited access, divided highway that will enhance traffic safety and vehicle flow. Plans call for old Route 44 to be re-designated as “44A.”
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