Hallelujah, New Bedford’s King’s Highway Is Finally Getting Paved

If you're commuting along King's Highway these days, you might notice something new along the roadway: fresh pavement.

With the South Coast Rail project underway with a completion date of 2023, King's Highway had to undergo some serious surgery to fit the needs for a proper and safe rail system. According to New Bedford City Councilor-at-Large Ian Abreu, the city had to replace the grade crossings, coverts and underground water piping first before any paving could be completed.

The job was awared to P.A. Landers, Inc. out of Hanover, which was subcontracted out by the MassDOT, which stated the following information concerning the Kings Highway construction that is in place for the future rail system:

"The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is conducting paving operations on King’s Highway in conjunction with a corridor improvement project between Church Street and the bridge located over Route 140. The corridor improvement work includes full depth reconstruction and widening of the roadway and the ramp from Route 140 northbound, construction of sidewalks, and the installation of new traffic signals. The project is anticipated to be completed in Summer 2023." – Judith Riley, Mass DOT

Get our free mobile app

Locals rejoiced as they hit the freshly-dried pavement that was once a death trap for shocks and tires. They took to their social media to express their feelings toward the construction.

"It's Christmas in June!!! We have a fully paved Kings Highway on its way," New Bedford native Mandy Cunha wrote on Facebook.

Although the project overall is aiming for a 2023 finish, the paving process should be complete much sooner.