State Considering New Mass Pike Exit That Could Cost $37.8 Million

WESTFIELD (AP) — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation estimates a proposal to build a new Massachusetts Turnpike exit will cost between $29.5 million and $37.8 million.

The proposal to build an exit between Exit 2 in Lee and Exit 3 in Westfield is supported by Republican state Sen. Donald Humason who says a new exit could bring new people to western Massachusetts and solve a nagging rush-hour traffic snarl at Exit 3. Masslive.com reports the Department of Transportation will now analyze local intersections and review the impacts a new exit would have.

MassDOT spokeswoman Judith Reardon Riley says MassDOT expects to have the study done in May.

Opponents, like James Adams in Otis, say community members don't see a need for a new exit.

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