MassDOT and Springfield DPW Announce Major Traffic Alert for Intersection of St. James Ave & Tapley Street

Construction Work to Begin April 8, 2024

The City of Springfield Department of Public Works (DPW) announced today that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is in the process of reconstructing the St. James Avenue and Tapley Street Intersection into a roundabout. As a result of the construction, traffic will be impacted.

Beginning the week of April 8, 2024, the contractor, Morais Concrete, will begin full depth roadway reconstruction that will include significant excavation and grade modification in the project area that will result in lane modifications and road closures during the work days.

Below is the tentative schedule of the work to be performed.

Week of March 25, 2024 Existing traffic signals to be removed and temporary traffic signals will be activated
Week of April 8, 2024 Stage 1 of 3: Removal of the islands on St. James Ave. Lane closures in both directions of the roadway
Week of April 15, 2024 State 2 of 3: Significant change in grade of the area on the west side of St. James Ave, where Tapley Street crosses Route 291.
Week of April 22, 2024 State 3 of 3: Significant grade changes occurring on east side of the intersection, which will require the full closure of Tapley Street during work hours.

Access to the Tapley Street Bridge over Route 291 will be closed during the day and traffic will not be able to access the bridge in either direction.

Bridge will be open to traffic during no-work hours.
Week of April 22, 2024 State 3 of 3: Significant grade changes occurring on east side of the intersection, which will require the full closure of Tapley Street during work hours.

Of note, pedestrian access on the Tapley Street Bridge over Route 291 will remain open.

Once the full depth reconstruction is complete on or around May 1, 2024, construction of the actual roundabout will begin. There will be disruptions to traffic flow during this period, however, it is envisioned that minimal road closures will be required.

Due to construction activities during this period of work, traffic flow in all directions through the construction area will be challenged.

Detour routes will be installed, with variable message signs along with static signs, alerting drivers to the proposed detour routes around the construction area.