If you've stopped at any of the highway service plazas in Massachusetts, you may have noticed that they need an update.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced this week that it will be renovating, or rebuilding all these plazas across the Bay State.
“Massachusetts’ highway service plazas are long overdue for a complete reset,” Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said this week in a written statement. “This investment will deliver the kind of infrastructure travelers expect in a world-class state—and do so in a way that supports local workers and businesses.”
The state’s plan to "modernize and maintain" the service plazas across the state is expected to create employment opportunities for many people in Massachusetts.
“This project will create hundreds of good jobs paying union wages and benefits under the terms of a Project Labor Agreement guaranteeing it will be built by highly skilled, local trades men and women trained in union apprenticeship programs," said Frank Callahan, president of Massachusetts’ Building Trades Unions, said in a written statement this week. "It also opens up great career opportunities for young apprentices entering the industry.”
Here's what to know about the initiative.
How many highway service plazas are there in Massachusetts?
There are a total of 18 service plazas in the state, according to the MassDOT.
About the plaza project?
The project is being led by service plaza operation company, Applegreen. The MassDOT stated in a release that, "this transformative effort will rebuild or renovate all 18 plazas—delivering critical upgrades to facilities, amenities, and sustainability infrastructure.
"Suffolk Construction, a Massachusetts-based firm with a long track record in complex public works, will lead construction."
Applegreen is expected to run the service plazas for 35 years after contruction finishes.
How much will the project cost?
The project carries a price tag of $750 million, according to the MassDOT.
How many jobs is the project expected to create?
The MassDOT stated that there will be 750 local union construction jobs created with the project.
How long is construction expected to take?
The service plaza project contruction is anticipated to require three years of construction.
"Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with the full construction schedule expected to be shared later this fall," a release from the MassDOT stated.
What's the hiring plan?
All employees currently working in the service plazas will be offered employment opportunities with Applegreen, according to the MassDOT.
Will the public have a chance to comment on the project?
Yes, the MassDOT announced that there will be a public "engagement" process this fall.
"The Consensus Building Institute (CBI), a locally based facilitation organization, will lead the effort to gather input from community members on plaza programming, vendor mix and regional needs," according to the MassDOT.
"While key aspects of plaza design and function are governed under MassDOT’s contract with Applegreen, the engagement process is designed to ensure that site-specific experiences reflect the character and priorities of the communities they serve," the MassDOT added.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Upgrades are coming to MA highway service plazas. Here's the plan
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