ERVING — With its Route 2 redesign proposals, the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is looking to address a lack of crosswalks and bus stops, increase pedestrian safety, mitigate speeding and widen narrow areas.

The idea to install a roundabout at Route 2’s intersection with Church Street, however, was met with particular criticism from residents during a public hearing on Wednesday at the Erving Senior & Community Center.

The redesign proposals focused on two areas in the center of Erving Center: where Route 2 meets Mountain Road and where it meets Church, North, High and East Prospect streets.

Nick Millhollin, a project manager with civil and structural engineering firm Green International Affiliates, detailed existing issues on Route 2. The designs seek to mitigate issues with vehicles speeding on Route 2 and off of side streets, a narrow roadway, the lack of a crosswalk at Mountain Road and Gary Street, and the lack of a bus stop.

One design included a pedestrian crosswalk on Mountain Road. Another calls for raised islands on North Street to create a visual separation from the state highway and reduce traffic speeds.

The Church Street intersection had two proposals, including a single-lane roundabout and a mini roundabout. The High Street intersection proposal included more raised islands ahead of entering the proposed single-lane roundabout at Church Street, with a crosswalk across Route 2 and at the High Street entrance to Route 2. This is designed to reduce vehicle speeds.

The East Prospect Street proposal included information on issues such as a lack of sight distance for drivers and challenging geometry of the existing roadway.

Notably, the proposal for a single-lane roundabout at the Church Street intersection was met with audible jeers. Questions were posed as to how a tractor-trailer truck would navigate the roundabout, particularly considering the reduction in speed required to enter the roundabout. Millhollin stated that simulations showed tractor-trailer trucks could navigate the roundabout through braking, but the noise created by air brakes in a residential area proved to be another point of contention for residents.

Reactions from residents

Following the 90-minute presentation and discussion, MassDOT and Millhollin took questions from attendees. Millhollin said he expected the strong feedback, and he appreciates the chance to hear about the proposals so that redesigns can be done ahead of future presentations. Millhollin explained this initial design proposal is roughly 10% of the project and it won’t see completion for several years.

“It’s what I expected,” Millhollin said. “It’s a community that’s very involved with what goes in, and we’re very happy to have this kind of turnout, because it makes us more likely to put in something that everyone’s going to be on board with.”

MassDOT Senior Project Manager Anni Autio echoed the appreciation for the community feedback.

“This project really belongs to the residents,” Autio said. “We want people to be engaged and to be pleased with the safety aspects of what we can push for.”

According to Town Administrator Bryan Smith, the idea for a redesign of Route 2 took root in the late 1990s amid safety concerns about the roadway. A process for a redesign began in 2012 and MassDOT was met with opposition from the community.

“This conversation with the residents has not happened in almost a decade. The town … has been having conversations with MassDOT about getting ready to have this conversation,” Smith said.

In 2020, MassDOT and the town of Erving sought to readdress the redesign project, but plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith said MassDOT continued to work with the town to see the project through.

“MassDOT was willing to assign design funding for Green [International Affiliates] to come on board and take this,” Smith said.

During an interview following Wednesday’s meeting, Church Street resident Linda Downs-Bembury explained she worries about pedestrian safety. While she said she appreciates the proposals, she disagrees with the roundabout at Church Street.

“I’m very impressed with everything that they presented in terms of being able to slow and quiet the traffic down,” she said, “but I don’t agree with everything, especially the roundabout.”

In reflecting on the meeting, Downs-Bembury said she is pleased with the goal shared between residents, MassDOT and Green International Affiliates to increase safety on Route 2. Further community feedback sessions will be scheduled as design proposals continue to be revised.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.