Wrentham Crossing Project in Motion

(The following article was written by Jeff Sullivan.)

The Wrentham Crossing project, across from the Outlets, is visibly moving along, and according to town planner Paige Duncan, the project could see changes to Route 1A in Wrentham.

The project, currently run by Marlboro LLC, was originally permitted in 2004, but because of economic constraints and changes in ownership the project has seen some stalls.

But the project could do some good to help lessen the traffic burden later on. Duncan said three traffic mitigation requirements were put in the permit, based on certain factors.

She said a widening of Route 1A, a new traffic light at the project’s entrance and a slip ramp coming out of the Outlets to Route 495 South could be in Wrentham’s future.

The new slip ramp, while arguably the most helpful portion of the mitigation, would be the last to go in. The permit requires the developer to fund the design of the project, which has not yet started. After that, Duncan said since the state and federal highway departments would have to fund it, it could be a long time before it goes in.

“We’re working with (Senator) Richard Ross to get some pressure on it,” Duncan said. “This is an important part of our town.”

She added that design has to be finished before the state can start anything on it. Then it would be put into the  Massachusetts Transportation Improvement Project list and wait until the state gets around to funding it. Duncan said it could be a while before that gets started.

“There’s not enough money to fund all the projects on that list and we’re not even on it yet,” she said. “We’re anxious to get moving on it.”

Duncan said the improvements to Route 1A, a widening of the road and a traffic light at the entrance of the new development, are improvements the developer would have to pay for, but only if they reach a certain size of development.

Right now, they can build over 78,000 square feet and not have to do any of those improvements. Before that, they can open whenever they have tenants.