(Boston– 5/12/2025) After years of persistent advocacy by State Senator Paul Feeney, U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss and the entire Mansfield Area Legislative Delegation, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has begun work to revitalize the Mansfield Rest Area after falling into a state of disrepair due to generations of under-investment.  

“I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt and the team at MassDOT for recognizing the need for critical infrastructure upgrades along I-95 in Mansfield, and their response to the delegation's call to begin taking steps to cleanup, repair, and maintain the Northbound rest area. Whether you are driving up I-95 to watch a game at Gillette Stadium, a concert at the Xfinity Center, golf at TPC Boston or a day of shopping at our many local businesses, it's important to have a rest-area that is worthy of our bustling corner of the Commonwealth” said State Senator Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough). “Following the collective advocacy from current and former legislators, local chambers of commerce, residents and business owners, we are pleased to see first steps in this revitalization effort take shape to upgrade the current site from a trash-covered, overgrown blight into a safe, comfortable and more reliable ‘Welcome to Massachusetts’ experience for residents and visitors traveling from the South,” added Senator Feeney. 

“Government has a habit of letting process get in the way of outcomes. The outcome that Bay Staters deserve is a clean, safe, and useable rest area, and all of us in government need to deliver,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04). 

The anticipated revitalization work by MassDOT, which is already underway, will include: 

• MassDOT will remove the existing structure and manicure the land when it is removed. 

• Add modular rest rooms that will be significant upgrades from the current porta-potties available to motorists, with 4 stalls that will be in ADA compliance. 

• Upgrades to localized lighting on the building exterior. 

• Installation of an emergency call box adjacent to the proposed facility. 

• Resurfacing the frontage roadway and exterior truck route and painting the lines.  

• Removal of debris and delipidated ground structures across the site. 

“These upgrades are long overdue, but I’m grateful to MassDOT for finding the resources to make permanent changes to the rest stop,” said State Representative Ted Philips (D-Sharon). 

“I’m very glad we were finally able to get the process going to get this rest stop into good shape, as it reflects on our region and should get a lot of use from people headed to Boston or Foxborough,” said State Representative Adam Scanlon (D-Attleboro).  

“We are grateful for all parties involved in organizing the remediation of the Mansfield Rest Stop. I look forward to witnessing the completion of the project,” said State Representative Michael Chaisson (R-Foxborough). 

“I greatly appreciate everyone involved in not giving up. Our collective efforts will allow once again to welcome people into our communities in an appropriate manner along Rt 95 North,” said former State Representative Jay Barrows. 

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