State and Local Leaders Convene On-Site at Route 2 Rotary to Advance Major Transportation Redesign
MassDOT, state legislators, and municipal officials from Concord and Acton gather for critical stakeholder coordination on long-awaited rotary redesign project.
Rep. Cataldo with Interim Transportation Secretary Phil Eng and Undersecretary of Transportation Jonathan Gulliver at the rotary.
CONCORD, MA – May 11, 2026 – State transportation officials, local municipal leaders, and legislators convened today at the Route 2 Rotary in Concord at the invitation of State Representative Simon Cataldo for an on-site inspection to advance the long-awaited redesign of one of the region’s most heavily traveled and challenging intersections.
The Route 2 Rotary in Concord is a critical intersection serving over 50,000 daily commuters traveling between the Greater Boston area and communities in the Nashoba Valley and beyond. The rotary has long been identified as a safety and congestion concern with an F traffic rating and has been the subject of ongoing planning efforts by MassDOT in coordination with the Towns of Concord and Acton. MassDOT projects that an above-grade will help make this stretch of highway safer, significantly reduce travel time, and provide connectivity for all modes of transportation connecting Concord and West Concord.
The on-site inspection was attended by Interim Transportation Secretary Phil Eng, Undersecretary of Transportation Jonathan Gulliver, Concord Town Manager Kerry Lafleur, Acton Town Manager John Mangiaratti, Representative Simon Cataldo, Representative James Arciero, House Chair of the Transportation Committee, Representative Michael Kushmerek, Senator John Cronin, and Commissioner Adam Baacke.
Following the on-site inspection, a stakeholder meeting expanded participation to include a broader legislative delegation, including Senator Jamie Eldridge, Representative Kate Hogan, and Representative Dan Sena, and Representative Carmine Gentile. The session included a MassDOT presentation on the current status of the Route 2 rotary redesign project and the go-forward timeline, and an open discussion on current conditions at the rotary, design proposals, and timeline for the project.
“MassDOT is committed to delivering a safe transportation system that best serves the needs of today’s traveling public. I thank Representative Cataldo and the entire delegation, community members, and transportation partners for the opportunity to meet and tour the Route 2 rotary in Concord as we openly discuss alternatives to improve traffic flow, giving travelers valuable time back in their days,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “We look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to advance solutions that strengthen connectivity, improve reliability, and support the communities along the Route 2 corridor.”
"Yesterday's visit to the Route 2 rotary was a valuable opportunity to share MassDOT's vision for improving this critical connection with our legislative partners," said Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. "We will continue to advance this project in coordination with the community and elected leaders to ensure the redesign reduces congestion, improves safety, and provides a reliable travel experience for Concord and the surrounding communities."
“DCAMM appreciates the leadership that Representative Cataldo and his legislative colleagues have displayed in championing this tremendous opportunity to leverage the closure of the MCI-Concord facility, and through state and municipal collaboration simultaneously address a long-standing transportation challenge and foster the production of much needed housing on surplus state property,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “We look forward to the continued partnership with MassDOT, the Town of Concord, and the legislative stewards of these projects to bring them to fruition.
“Thank you to Representative Simon Cataldo for his leadership with bringing together MassDOT and stakeholders to discuss plans that will ease congestion and improve safety for the Route 2 Rotary,” said State Representative James Arciero (D – Westford). Today, we heard firsthand the impacts of how the flow of the rotary traffic extends beyond the immediate Concord region and into Stow, Fitchburg and other parts of the Commonwealth. It is a critical project that has been years in the making and has exciting, tangible steps ahead.”
"I was happy to attend the presentation from MassDOT to understand the scope of the rotary redesign project's impact on residents in my district, our communities, and the region's economy," said State Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow). "I appreciate the work that MassDOT, the development consultants, DCAMM, the Town of Concord, and my legislative colleagues have put into this major transportation project."
“The Route 2 Rotary has long been a source of frustration and safety concerns for commuters and residents throughout the region,” said State Representative Simon Cataldo (D-Concord). “As we heard today, fixing the Rotary is not just a matter of convenience, but an issue of economic justice and a key to unlocking the economic potential of our region. The data based on MassDOT’s comprehensive research is clear: an above-grade solution is the only way to meaningfully improve congestion and safety, and to finally create non-vehicle-dependent connectivity in Concord across Route 2. Today’s meeting marks an important step forward in bringing key stakeholders to the table to move this project from planning to action. I am grateful to the Route 2 corridor legislative delegation, Secretary Eng and MassDOT, and DCAMM Commissioner Baacke, for their partnership and to our municipal leaders in Concord and Acton for their continued engagement.”
"The Concord Rotary traffic is one of the biggest transportation issues for my constituents," said Representative Danillo Sena (D – Acton). "An unreliable route means an unreliable schedule. Arriving late to work or appointments can suddenly throw people into missed school pickups, missed doctor's appointments, and job insecurity. The four design plans at the meeting for Concord Rotary's redevelopment would all reduce average commute times. I am excited to begin this work to reduce the transportation insecurity in my constituents' lives."
“I want to thank the Healey/Driscoll administration for their continuing support of both the reconfiguration of route 2 traffic at what is now the Concord rotary and their unflagging cooperation with the town of Concord on the redevelopment of the adjacent former Concord prison real estate,” said Representative Carmine Gentile, (D -- Sudbury), “DCAMM Commissioner Baacke’s participation today, together with Secretary Eng, and numerous DOT and DCAMM leaders and staff was very much appreciated. We can look forward to the successful reconfiguration of route 2 traffic eliminating our decades old regional bottleneck and creation of a vibrant new Concord neighborhood being developed side by side.”
"Fixing the Route 2 Rotary is the most important transportation infrastructure project for the North Central region to drive economic development and improve commuters' quality of life,” said State Senator John Cronin (D-Fitchburg). “I am excited that stakeholders are committed to invest so Route 2 corridor residents can access the prosperity of the Greater Boston economy."
“Modernizing the rotary and Route 2 intersection will not only improve infrastructure and reduce commute times, but also expand access to workforce, education, and economic opportunities in the I-95 and Greater Boston area for residents of Gateway Cities and other underserved communities across Central and Western Massachusetts,” said State Representative Michael Kushmerek (D-Fitchburg). Today, the more than two-hour commute between Boston and North Central Massachusetts often forces residents to miss childcare pickups, caregiver appointments, and job opportunities due in large part to traffic delays at the rotary and Route 2 intersections in the greater Concord area.”
“I am grateful to Representative Simon Cataldo for organizing today’s on-site inspection and stakeholder meeting with Secretary Eng, senior MassDOT leaders, the Route 2 legislative delegation, and municipal officials from Concord and Acton,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough).“For decades, the Concord Rotary has created major safety concerns and daily congestion challenges for residents and commuters traveling west of Concord and throughout the region. Today’s meeting sends a clear signal that the ‘rubber is hitting the road’ on finally advancing towards a solution. I urge continued support for placing this project on the TIP and advancing a solution for the thousands of residents who rely on this route every day."
“I am thankful for the efforts of Rep Cataldo for bringing this impressive group of stakeholders together. It appears that there is momentum to resolve this regional and statewide transportation problem,” said Acton Town Manager John Mangiaratti. “It was interesting to hear from participants how the rotary is not just a road safety issue but also a significant economic and quality of life issue as well. Several concepts to replace the rotary were presented and the above-grade crossing concepts had the greatest potential to improve safety and efficiency.”
“The Route 2 Rotary affects residents, businesses, and commuters across the region every day, and today’s discussion provided an important opportunity to review current conditions, regional needs, and the path forward collaboratively,” said Concord Town Manager Kerry Lafleur.
