Route 20’s safety and reconstruction project progresses. The four-year project, which is expected to finish in late 2026, has already passed the half-way mark and includes middle road curbed medians, sidewalks, wider and smoother lane negotiations, better visual fields, bridge replacements over Oxford’s French River and Charlton’s Little River, and stormwater drain improvements.  

According to the MassDOT website, about 26,000 vehicles travel along the 3.2 mile stretch daily and temporary overnight lane closures began on Sunday, July 27, and are expected to last through most of August. The lane closures will begin at 7 p.m. and last through 5 a.m. the following day. This lane closure will shift traffic on Route 20 eastbound and westbound from the center of the roadway to the outside lanes of the roundabout. Traffic will need to slow their speeds while approaching the work zone to travel through the construction area.

 MassDOT has issued work zone speed limits to reduce the posted speed limit on Route 20 within the project work zone, between Route 12 and Richardson Corner Road, until further notice. The posted speed limits will be further reduced during active work hours for the safety of the roadway users and workers.

Speed limits are reduced in the following areas:

• Richardson Corner to Route 56: the speed limit has been reduced from 50 mph to 45 mph. During active work hours, the speed limit will be further reduced to 40 mph.

• Route 56 to Thayer Pond Drive: The speed limit has been reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph. During active work hours, the speed limit will be further reduced to 30 mph.

• Thayer Pond Drive to Route 12: The speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 40 mph. During active work hours, the speed limit will be further reduced to 35 mph.

Dynamic message signs will be posted to show the reduced speed limit during active work hours and advance warning signs are used onsite to notify the traveling public of the reduced speed limits.

MassDOT has also issued a restriction prohibiting vehicles carrying wide loads over 8 feet, 6 inches (8’6”) from traveling through the Route 20 Reconstruction Project work zone, between Route 12 and Richardson Corner Road. The travel restriction is in place 24 hours per day, seven days per week until further notice. All vehicles carrying wide loads should avoid the work zone, seek alternate routes, and contact mass.gov/commercial-truck-permits

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