Reconstruction of Route 20 in Charlton Mass. is scheduled to complete this summer (2004). All four lanes have been open since last winter, except when local construction activity requires closure. The final layer of pavement has not been laid and some median work remains.
Route 20 was an old, undivided highway with four 11 foot lanes and scattered roadside development, except in the business district between Route 169 and Route 31. The current project reconstructed Route 20 as a divided highway from Route 31 to near the Oxford town line. In addition to a median barrier, the new highway also has shoulders, 12 foot lanes, and improved sight distance. Driveways and at-grade intersections remain.
These pictures west of Charlton show the old layout.
Note the yellow poles to discourage crossing the centerline.
Daytime headlight use is encouraged.
The project begins after Route 169, but the highway is
only being widened here, not fully divided.
After the business district, new divided highway begins at Route 31.
Typical section of new roadway. Neither shoulder is as wide as
it should be, but at least there are shoulders.
A longer view. One lane is closed for median barrier installation ahead.
Intersections have left turn lanes. Note the double double
centerlines left over from two lane two way operation on one side of
the new road. The vertical profile was significantly changed and
traffic was shifted back and forth during excavation.
Signalized intersections have protected only left turns.
Like the Route 31 intersection, this intersection
has a large paved area on the far right side, probably
to help large trucks make U turns.