Kelley Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kelley Square |
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View of the square in 2008 from Madison Street
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| Location | |
| Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Coordinates: | 42°15′18.25″N 71°47′52.22″W / 42.2550694°N 71.7978389°W |
| Roads at junction: |
 Route 122 (Madison Street (two-way), Harding Street (inbound-only), Water Street (outbound-only)) Route 122A (Vernon Street & Madison Street) I‑290 (ramps at Vernon Street) |
| Construction | |
| Type: | Intersection, hybrid roundabout |
| Map | |
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Kelley Square is a very busy and important road intersection in Worcester, Massachusetts. It's where several major roads, like Massachusetts Route 122 and 122A, all come together. You can also get to and from Interstate 290 from here.
The square is named after Sgt. Cornelius F. Kelley. He was a brave soldier who sadly passed away from injuries he got in battle in Verdun, France, during World War I in 1918. Because so many roads meet here, Kelley Square used to be known as one of the most confusing and even dangerous intersections in Massachusetts.
Understanding Kelley Square's Roads
Kelley Square is a unique spot where many different streets meet. Imagine a big puzzle where all the pieces are roads! Here are some of the main roads that connect to Kelley Square:
- Madison Street: This is a two-way street that connects to both Route 122 and Route 122A. It's on the west side of the square.
- Green Street: Also a two-way street, it enters and exits the square from the north.
- Harding Street: This street has different parts. One part is a one-way street entering the square from the northeast. Another part is a one-way street entering from the southwest.
- Water Street: This is a one-way street that helps traffic leave the square towards the northeast.
- Vernon Street: This two-way street connects to Route 122A and is where you can find the ramps for Interstate 290.
- Millbury Street: This is a one-way street that helps traffic leave the square towards the southwest.
Exciting Changes: The Redevelopment Project
In October 2019, a big project started to make Kelley Square better and safer. It's called the Kelley Square Improvement Project. This huge project costs about $240 million!
A major part of this project was building Polar Park, a brand new minor league baseball stadium. Along with the stadium, new hotels and apartments are also being built nearby.
The square itself was also rebuilt to work more like a modern roundabout. This helps traffic flow more smoothly. As part of these changes, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) made some streets one-way or changed their direction. For example, the traffic flow on Millbury Street and Harding Street (south of the square) was permanently changed in May 2020 to help with the new design.
