Business feels impacts from rotary construction in Rehoboth

REHOBOTH, Mass. (WLNE) — A four-million-dollar project to build a new rotary at the intersection of Route 44 and Route 118 in Rehoboth has sparked controversy for some residents.

“It’s a nightmare,” Pawtucket resident Rudy Marinosci said. “It’s just added to the frustration of everything.”

According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the intersection was identified as a high crash location.

“People have been avoiding the whole area just because of the construction, the frustration, it looks crazy out there. It definitely keeps people away,” Anawan Cleaners Manager Molly Mcguire said.

Local businesses, including Anawan Cleaners, are feeling the effects of the construction.

“Business is down over 50%,” Mcguire said. “I know other businesses in the area have experienced more loss. We are very lucky to have very loyal customers who return on a weekly basis, so we are lucky in that sense.”

George Solas, a selectman for the town of Rehoboth shared a statement that said,

The State’s roundabout project has been an ongoing project for over three years. It has been at times a frustrating process, but we knew the end result would be a safer intersection when completed. The actual construction started early in 2023 with a completion date of July 19, 2025. Any high profile construction project like this roundabout will always create anxiety and will impact any businesses that are in proximity to the project. The actual usage of the roundabout is functional and from this point forward, everyone should patronize the businesses as we did in the past.

 

“I usually drive up here around 7 o’clock for work,” Marinosci said. “Especially when they first started the project it made it hard to get here. You’re talking about a 30 minute wait for less than a quarter of a mile.”

“I definitely do think people will eventually get used to it, it just seems like such a waste of time to get used to,” Marinosci said.

MassDOT said final preparation work for a winter shutdown will continue up until around Thanksgiving.

Additionally, Mcguire said her business was told the other entrance into the shopping plaza from Route 118 will be reopening.