AMHERST — With a nearly $2 million grant from the state’s MassWorks Infrastructure Program, the town of Amherst and the University of Massachusetts will team up to develop a roundabout at the intersection of University Drive and Amity Street.
“The overall project includes construction of the roundabout as well as repaving and improvements along University Drive from the roundabout south to approximately CVS,” explained Nathaniel Malloy, senior planner for the town of Amherst. “The ($1.94 million) MassWorks grant will fund construction of the roundabout, while local funds will support the University Drive work.”
Malloy explained that the intersection has been identified as an area of concern and in need of improvements for years, including in reports from the 2000’s. In 2023, the town and the UMass began talks about completing engineering studies of the intersection.
“This intersection has long been identified as having a low service level and in need of improvements for traffic flow, stormwater management, and for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Malloy. “Partnering with UMass was very important to help move this project forward as well as secure the MassWorks funding. UMass provided $75,000 for the engineering and design of the roundabout.”
This project will be the third and final phase of recent improvements to the University Drive area connecting Route 9 with the university. UMass has upgraded the northern section with bike lanes, multi-use paths and traffic calming measures. The town of Amherst and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation have improved the southern section with new lights, crosswalks and bus stops.
The grant application included the following focus of this final phase. “The goal for this third phase is to bring the central section of University Drive, including the intersection with Amity Street, up to the standards and conditions of the other two sections.”
“This significant MassWorks grant will provide the bulk of the funds needed to build a safer, more welcoming intersection at University Drive and Amity Street,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “Our partnership with the university provided a compelling proposal.”
As one of the main entrances to the university, the current four-way signal has not served as effective traffic management. Its change to a roundabout should make for easier access to the university from town as well as easier access to the stores and restaurants in the area.
“We are very pleased with the partnership between the university and the town of Amherst to invest in this strategic roundabout at a major southern gateway to the campus. The project will reduce travel congestion and related vehicle emissions while improving safety at this heavily used intersection, particularly during sporting or entertainment events at McGuirk Stadium and the Mullins Center,” said Shane Conklin, associate vice chancellor for Facilities & Campus Services at UMass Amherst.
The roundabout may also ease access to a proposed mixed-use development at 422 Amity St. that is currently in the permitting process. It would include 111 residential units and almost 20,000 square feet of commercial space.
“The state support to fund the roundabout at this busy intersection makes this project viable and our plan is to break ground in the spring of 2025,” said Barry Roberts, principal of the Roberts Group, builders and managers of dozens of properties across the Amherst area.
Malloy did not provide a projected start or finish date for the project.
