CONNECT

The Burnham Road railroad underpass is currently closed to vehicles for eight months. During this time, traff has adapted with minimal disruption, while the surrounding neighborhood has become quieter and safer for residents, pedestrians, families, and cyclists. 

This closure gives our community a rate opportunity to consider a long-term safety and neighborhood quality of life improvement: transforming the constrained Burnham Road underpass into a safe pedestrian and bicycle connector while redirecting cut-through vehicle traffic to more appropriate roads. 

The Problem

The Burnham Road underpass has long presented safety and quality of life concerns for residents.  It is narrow, low-visibility, and unsafe for people walking or riding their bikes. It lacks safe pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, despite being located less than one mile from Andover's downtown and adjacent to popular playgrounds, soccer fields, and green spaces along the Shawsheen River.  Increased cut-through traffic and speeding have further heightened these risks, making the area feel unsafe and less livable for families and neighbors. 

The Opportunity

With the underpass already closed for bridge repair work, residents have experienced what a safer, quieter neighborhood could feel like.   The extended closure can serve as a real-world pilot to help the Town evaluate whether permanent vehicle restrictions at the underpass could improve safety and quality of life.   The Town of Andover has an opportunity to transform a constrained, low-visibility roadway into a safer, more connected community space- helping to reduce neighborhood traffic impacts while improving everyday life for residents. 

A Possible Future

A pedestrian and bicycle connector could: 

• Improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers

• Create a safe connection for families walking or biking to Penguin Park playground and the soccer fields

• Eliminate the dangerous pedestrian-vehicle conflict at the underpass

• Significantly reduce cut-through traffic throughout the broader neighborhood

• Eliminate vehicle vs. bridge collisions

• Connect neighborhoods, recreational spaces along the Shawsheen River, and downtown

• Create a quieter, more livable environment for residents

Related Improvements

Change is happening all around us. The Town is already implementing intersection and sidewalk improvements on Burnham Rd and Dufton Rd and has plans to make improvements to Penguin Park playground and the adjacent parking lot. However, there is no clear plan to addresss the most dangerous section: the Burnham Rd underpass itself. 

This is the right time to connect these projects into one thoughtful, safer neighborhood plan. 

Get Involved!

We are gathering resident feedback and building support for a safer pedestrian and bicycle connection at the Burnham Rd underpass.  Your response will help us:

• Understand neighborhood/community priorities

• Identify supporters by street or neighborhood area

• Reach residents who may want to sign the petition

• Find neighbors willing to help spread the word