Kelley Square is a square located in Worcester, Massachusetts, at the intersection of Massachusetts Route 122 and 122A, with ramp access to and from Interstate 290. It is named for Sgt. Cornelius F. Kelley, who died of wounds received in battle in Verdun, France, on October 13, 1918.[1] With a complex convergence of multiple roads, the square has previously been ranked as the state's most dangerous intersection, and as of 2019[update] was ranked as the eighth-most dangerous intersection in Massachusetts.[2]
Roads
The seven roads that intersect Kelley Square are listed below, starting with Madison Street on the west side of the square and proceeding around the square in a clockwise manner.
† Route confluence ‡ Per traffic flow changes implemented in May 2020[3]
Redevelopment
In October 2019, officials held a groundbreaking for the Kelley Square Improvement Project, a $240 million redevelopment project that includes construction of Polar Park, a new minor leaguebaseball stadium, along with hotels and apartments, as well as reconstructing the square as a modified roundabout.[4]
As part of the project, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) permanently reversed the direction of traffic flow on Millbury Street, and Harding Street south of the square, effective May 6, 2020.[5][6]
^Hanson, Melissa (February 28, 2019). "Worcester's infamous Kelley Square intersection is no longer the state's top crash location, but it's still in the top 10". masslive.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
^"Kelley Square Improvement Project Traffic Changes on Harding Street and Millbury Street". MassDOT. March 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020 – via mass.gov.
^Hanson, Melissa (April 16, 2020). "Worcester Kelley Square construction: 24-hour police detail planned for reversal of Millbury and Harding streets". masslive.com. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
^"Kelley Square 'peanut' debuts in Worcester Wednesday with permanent reversal of Harding, Millbury Streets". masslive.com. May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
O'Neill, David (September 11, 2011). "Kelley Square". Walking Worcester. Retrieved April 2, 2020. Sgt. Kelley was a man of unquestioned bravery, which is just as well given that his memorial overlooks Kelley Square.
External links
Worcester Kelley Square Improvement Project at Mass.gov
Kelley Square is one of Worcester's most dangerous intersections via YouTube