Route 20 is a critical component of the City of Worcester’s transportation infrastructure, serving as a major east-west corridor through the region. Route 20 at Route 122 serves as a major gateway to the city, but the interchange is prone to severe flooding during high-intensity rainfall events. At such times, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) often closes the road to traffic to avoid hydroplaning crashes or submerged vehicles. VHB was asked to complete a flood study to evaluate the existing stormwater system and identify alternatives to alleviate flooding and improve water quality. VHB’s recommended flood mitigation measure was to increase the conveyance capacity of the drainage system and to upgrade the aging drainage system.
Additionally, VHB helped MassDOT secure a $3.7 million grant through the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) program, which funds projects that improve surface transportation’s resilience to natural hazards like flooding. Our team completed the grant application and cost-benefit analysis to secure funding that will help implement the recommendations arising from VHB’s flood study and engineering design, including upgrading drainage infrastructure to reduce flooding on Route 20 and improve water quality. These enhanced structures will reduce road closures during storm events, enhance safety, and improve reliability for drivers.
VHB is currently leading the design and permitting of the project, including local and state regulatory compliance. The project is anticipated to begin construction in the spring of 2026.
