(May 5, 2026) – The Main Street TIP project, which was programmed for FFY 2029, has to be moved back in the regional schedule to FFY 2030 and FFY 2031, according to the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) recent letter to the town. This project would reconstruct Main Street, from Columbia Street to Park Street.
The letter was shared in the Ayer Select Board meeting packet released ahead of this week’s meeting.
In the letter, a MRPC official said the commission has identified an overall cost increase of approximately 50 percent across the regional project list. He acknowledged the town’s efforts and progress made during the design process, noting the commission looks forward to working with the town to advance construction.
Meanwhile, the Ayer DPW director appeared before the Select Board virtually on Tuesday night and said most of the projects on the regional list have been moved back due to costs. “It’s not good news,” he said.
Yet he said MRPC is still in a public comment period for the latest revisions to the FY2026-FY2030 TIP.
He said the town can submit letters with public comment and so can the general public.
He said the DPW plans to write a letter advocating for the town’s project; it was communicated that the Town Manager’s office would also write one. The Select Board will approve a letter at its May 19th meeting, though this comes after MRPC closes public comment.
The goal is for the work to get programmed as soon as possible, the DPW director said. He noted other projects could drop off or may not progress.
Here is the web page for the regional TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan).