State and Local Officials Deliver Safety Audit for Dangerous Route 1A Intersection in Rowley
January 22, 2026January 22, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jessica Margiotta, Director of Communications, Office of Senator Tarr | Cell: 978-675-6109 | jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
Christina Eckert, Legislative Aide, Officer of Representative Kassner, Cell: 203-952-7709, Christina.Eckert@MAhouse.gov
State and Local Officials Deliver Safety Audit for Dangerous Route 1A Intersection in Rowley
Rowley (1/21/26) – Led by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), advocacy and coordination efforts, including those by the Town of Rowley Board of Selectmen, in partnership with State Representative Kristin Kassner (D-Hamilton), prompted the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to agree to conduct a Road Safety Audit (RSA) at the intersection of Route 1A (Main Street), Route 133 (Haverhill Street), and Prospect Street in Rowley, following safety concerns raised by local officials and residents.
“Safety concerns about this intersection have been steadily increasing, and the Board of Selectmen amplified them in a recent, urgent request for attention,” said Tarr. “We have been able to respond to that request with collaboration to secure a Road Safety Audit that will put us on a path to meaningful and effective measures to make this intersection safe and efficient.”
The decision to conduct the Road Safety Audit follows sustained engagement by the Board of Selectmen which formally contacted Tarr & Kassner in early September to seek action to address safety issues with the intersection, which involves state highways Rt. 133 and Rt. 1A. Responding to that request, Tarr and staffer Ted Costa, Community Outreach Deputy Director, worked with MassDOT and Kassner to convene a coalition of state and local public safety and municipal leaders to chart a course to effectively address problems with the intersection.
“The intersection at Haverhill St./Main St./Prospect St. (133 and 1A) is extremely difficult to safely navigate through in any direction,” said the Board of Selectmen Chair Sheri David. “Senator Tarr and Representative Kassner attended a meeting with MassDOT, me, and Town Administrator Debbie Eagan at the intersection to see first-hand the problems and safety issues we have there. We are very optimistic that Sen. Tarr and Rep. Kasner’s support will really help this important project progress. We are thankful that they always find the time to show-up for the Town of Rowley.”
Held on November 20, 2025, the site visit brought together MassDOT Highway Division, District 4 Operations Engineer Peter Tramontozzi, Tarr , Costa, Kassner and her Legislative Aide Christina Eckert, Board of Selectmen Chair Sheri David, former Rowley Acting Police Chief Steve May, Rowley Highway Superintendent Patrick Snow, and area residents to discuss safety challenges at the intersection and potential next steps.
“The intersection of 1A and 133 is a major node in regional transportation, but it’s also a neighborhood of small businesses and residents,” said Kassner. “The current geometry creates unsafe conditions for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians navigating the intersection. Thank you to Rowley’s Select Board and residents for your advocacy. Working with proactive and engaged town leadership leads to better outcomes that everyone can embrace. I look forward to seeing the results of Road Safety Audit and the ensuing plans to make this intersection safer for all, especially for the folks on Prospect Street.”
As a result of concerns raised during that meeting and subsequent follow-up, MassDOT confirmed in a letter, dated December 31, 2025, to the Town of Rowley that it will proceed with a Road Safety Audit (RSA), anticipated to take place in late winter or early spring this year.
“MassDOT strives to put safety at the forefront of everything we do, and Road Safety Audits are one way we collaborate with state and local officials and stakeholders to identify specific areas of concern and develop appropriate, feasible safety countermeasures that can be advanced rapidly, while also starting the process for developing longer term solutions,” said MassDOT District 4 Highway Director Paul Stedman. “We appreciate the state and local officials and stakeholders for their collaborative efforts and input as we work to make this area safer for all users.”
An RSA is a formal, multidisciplinary evaluation intended to identify potential safety risks and opportunities for improvement for all roadway users. The process examines crash patterns, roadway design, and operational factors that may contribute to safety concerns.
Town officials emphasized that the audit represents an important step toward identifying potential improvements at a heavily traveled location that has long been a concern for residents.
“On behalf of the Rowley Highway Department, I want to sincerely thank MassDOT, Senator Tarr, and Representative Kassner for their support and assistance in addressing this dangerous intersection,” said Rowley Highway Superintendent Patrick Snow. “I look forward to continuing our collaboration as we advance solutions that improve safety at this intersection.”
MassDOT’s letter shared Tramontozzi and his staff will coordinate the audit and share findings and recommendations with the Town following its completion.
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Kind Regards,
Jessica
Jessica Margiotta
Director of Communications
Office of the Senate Minority Leader | State Senator Bruce E. Tarr
Massachusetts State House, Room 308 | Boston, MA 02133
Office: 617-722-1600, ext. 1603| Cell: 978-675-6109
Email: jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
