We know detours are frustrating. They add time, affect neighborhoods that do not usually carry through traffic, and disrupt daily routines. The traffic plan exists to keep people safe during construction and to preserve emergency access while the culvert and roadway are rebuilt.
A full road closure of Providence Street is required. The detour routes traffic via Milford Street and Hartford Avenue — the specific signed route will be marked in the field per the traffic plan memo. For the most current signed detour description, refer to that memo and any field notices from the Highway Department.
Read the overview first, then open the topics below.
Cemetery Street: one-way or two-way?
On April 15, 2026, the Select Board voted unanimously to keep Cemetery Street one-way during construction, adopting the engineering recommendation. The full record is on the decision page; staff and expert responses to resident questions remain on the Cemetery Street Q&A page.
The engineering recommendation (Tighe & Bond): Make Cemetery Street one-way during construction. Tighe & Bond's Traffic Plan Memo describes this as the safest and most cost-effective option. The detour routes traffic onto larger, established two-way roadways with defined centerlines, stop-controlled intersections, standard two-way cross sections, and better sight distance — making them geometrically superior to Cemetery Street for absorbing temporary traffic increases.
Fire Chief Bangma's safety concern: Fire Chief Bangma has stated that two-way traffic on Cemetery Street creates "blind" left turns and delays emergency vehicle returns to the Mendon fire station. Stone walls at Hartford Avenue East limit sight distance at the intersection, and morning solar glare compounds this hazard.
The resident proposal for two-way with mitigation: Some residents have formally proposed a two-way configuration that would include a temporary commercial truck weight limit, temporary flashing yellow lights at the Hartford Avenue intersection, and 30 MPH speed limit signs. Tighe & Bond has evaluated these ideas and concluded that two-way operation presents more disadvantages than advantages, and that no traffic study exists to confirm the mitigations would be adequate.
Alternatives evaluated by Tighe & Bond:
- Keeping one lane of Providence open — would require phased construction, likely doubling the project duration and significantly increasing costs. Not recommended.
- Two-way with alternating direction — not advisable; confusing to motorists, seemingly inviting an accident, and would still require full cost of traffic control.
- Widening Cemetery Street — would require right-of-way acquisition, environmental permits, and would greatly increase cost and timeline. Not practical for a temporary measure.
On the citizen petition: Town Counsel has advised that the petition article submitted for Annual Town Meeting is out of order. Town Meeting cannot restrict the Select Board's authority over traffic regulations. The petition will not proceed.
Detour distance: For residents on the affected side of town, the one-way detour adds approximately 19 minutes per trip, affecting an estimated 150 to 200 households. Construction is expected to last approximately four to five months.
Emergency vehicle access during closure
Massachusetts General Law Ch. 87 s7b authorizes emergency vehicles to travel contrary to traffic signs during emergency response. Police will provide escort for ambulance transport to the hospital via Cemetery Street when needed. The Fire Department takes the detour for non-emergency returns.
School bus access during closure
Police have confirmed they can authorize wrong-way bus access on Cemetery Street with overtime coverage. Without this arrangement, buses would take the detour, adding approximately 20 minutes per run — three times daily per school level. The formal coordination with MURSD will be finalized as the construction date approaches.
When something is wrong on the ground
If a sign is missing, a road feels unsafe, or you observe repeated unsafe cut-through behavior, contact the Highway Department (see footer). For non-emergency traffic or enforcement matters, reach the Mendon Police Department at 508-478-2737. For emergencies, call 911.
Providence Street project area — Mendon, MA
Route is approximate. Confirm signed detour in the field or with the traffic plan memo. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
The official detour diagram will be posted here once available. In the meantime, refer to the traffic plan memo for routing details.