Finally… Route 44
In looking for something different to post about yesterday, slow news day that it was, I came across the fact that route 44 is completed and will be opening on December 9, a delay from the original plan to open on November 30. Still, that’s very cool.
About time, too. To give you an idea how long it’s been in the works and delayed, there is a factory in Plympton that was built around four decades ago in anticipation of the impending construction of route 44 and an interchange a stone’s throw down the street. It was the company’s second factory. Since then, the company was acquired, operated for decades, then closed completely, and at least two other companies have briefly used that factory building, which is several acres in size. It’s been some twelve years since the place closed.
In an area lacking major east-west routes, route 44 has always been better than nothing. It ends at route 3A, the main drag through Plymouth, just before the waterfront. Slightly to the west of that, it intersects route 3 and becomes wider and less residential for a stretch. Then after it intersects route 80, it turns into a little country road through the rest of Plymouth and most of Carver. That is the main thing being replaced.
At route 58 in Carver, you have to go right, and for a tiny stretch the two routes are the same road. Then you take a left onto the “good” part of route 44, which abruptly ends at route 58, staring across the road at a blank stretch of woods through which it was supposed to continue. There’s a nice, wide open stretch through the rest of Carver and into Middleboro, then where route 105 crosses, the traffic lights start. You have four lights, fairly close together, then a large rotary where routes 44, 18 and 28 intersect, adjacent to the 495 interchanges with both 44 and 18.
After that point, going through the last bit of Middleboro, a blip of Lakeville, Raynham and Taunton, there’s not a whole lot you could do to improve 44.
However, at least from the rotary all the way to Plymouth was supposed to be divided highway, two lanes each direction. Most if not all the way between the rotary and 58 the land exists to do that. This is especially true from 105 to 58, and you could build that part without any interchanges and spill it down to two lanes just before 105.
As noted in at least one of the articles linked below, some folks in Middleboro aren’t too happy that the whole deal isn’t going to happen. Ever, apparently. It’ll narrow to two lanes just to the west of route 58.
What they are going to do is put a divider on the stretch to 105, which may mean they’ll see fit to raise the speed limit. It’s a strictly enforced 50 MPH. They’re also going to improve the intersections where the traffic lights are as you go through the Middleboro stretch. Turn lanes are good.
We’re excited about the short trip to Plymouth now. Not only to we like going to the waterfront, but also that’s where the nearest Sam’s Club is, and it puts the mall in Kingston as convenient as the mall in Taunton. Yay for good roads!
I’ve seen bits of the new highway while under construction, from some of the back roads it crosses or goes near. Looks like they had an interesting time building the part that goes through swamp, which is what a lot of the holdup was over the decades. It’s the whole “you can’t build there, you might disturb some turtles” kind of thing, where studies are done, comprimises made, and eventually, in this case, it happens in some form, wetlands or not, because it’s not possible to route completely around them.
Route 44 opening pushed back again
Rte. 44 project to boost industry
New Route 44 finished
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