This MassDOT project consists of converting the stop-controlled intersection of Route 7 – Route 43 in Williamstown to a roundabout. This intersection was identified several years ago by MassDOT’s Traffic Safety as having an above-average crash rate for an un-signalized intersection. Recent crash data indicated that almost 60 percent of crashes at the intersection were angle-type crashes, for which a roundabout is a highly effective and proven safety improvement. Before construction began, officials estimated that with a roundabout, crashes at Five Corners would fall by 71 percent, and fatal and serious injury crashes would decrease by 87 percent, due to slower vehicle speeds and the elimination of “T-bone” crashes.
The work included:
- Box cutting and full depth roadway reconstruction of the entire intersection.
- New curbing, splitter islands, and a center truck apron with planted center island.
- New storm drain system, with reuse of some existing infrastructure.
- Drainage ditching.
- Replacement of a private watermain and associated water services.
- Street trees and center island landscaping.
- Relocation of one three-phase utility pole and replacement of 4 three-phase poles along with associated guying (work to be completed by National Grid). All poles have communications utilities as well as power.
- Removal of communications pedestals and rerouting communications lines aerially.
- Maintenance of traffic including tractor-trailers.
The work included excavation, fill, paving, cement concrete sidewalks, driveways and pedestrian curb ramps; installing granite curb, granite transition curb, landscaping, drainage work, installing lighting, traffic signing and pavement markings, traffic control management and other improvements.
As of November 17, 2025, a majority of the physical work is complete. There will be some brief drainage work before Thanksgiving and then the crew will be off-site for the Winter months. In the Spring they will continue with the surface course paving, new roadway markings, final signage, and all landscaping work. Current completion date is November 15, 2026.