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?
The Select Board will make this decision at the April 15th public meeting (6:30 PM, Upper Town Hall Meeting Room). See Open Questions for how to participate.
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 expedient option. It uses Cemetery Street's existing road width with no physical modifications, requires standard regulatory signage only, and avoids the turning-movement and sight-distance problems that arise with two-way traffic at the Hartford Avenue East intersection.
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.
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. Construction is expected to last approximately four to five months.
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 (satellite view)
Full diagram and routing on the Official documents page.
The official detour diagram will be posted here once available. In the meantime, the full map and routing details are on the Official documents page.