Main Street reconstruction will be the focus next spring
WESTFIELD – Motorists can expect a slowdown in reconstruction activity in the downtown with winter coming, says Ward 2 City Councilor James E. Brown Jr.
“There is activity this week with paving of some key areas but overall in the weeks to come there will be somewhat of a slowdown,” he said.
“Lynch (Construction Co.) is expected to have piecemeal crews here over the winter months because they do not want to plan anything too heavy in fear of bad weather,” the councilor said.
Rains last week delayed the paving operation to this week. J.H. Lynch & Sons Constrution Co. of Cumberland, R.I. is the general contractor for the project.
Next spring will be see work continue on Main Street and Park Square. That work will focus on the area from Meadow to White streets, said Brown.
Police Capt. Michael A. McCabe agreed with Brown’s assessment on the construction schedule. McCabe has provided area businesses and resident with weekly updates and reconstruction schedules, along with Brown, since the project started in April.
Paving on key sections of Elm Street and around Park Square began Tuesday.
“That will go a long way to easy the dust bowl in the downtown,” said McCabe.
“The project remains on schedule and is expected to be completed next year,” the captain said.
In addition to new road surfaces, the project includes new water and sewer lines and new traffic signals.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik has sent a $1.9 million bond request to the City Council to address the reconstruction of Park Square, including new trees, sidewalks, an all-weather gazebo and other amenities.
That request is now in committee and the council is expect to approve the bond next month, Brown said.
Once approved the Park Square plan will be finalized and advertised for bidding in January or February and a scheduled start date to coincide with the final phases of the road reconstruction project next spring.
The down reconstruction project had been in planning for about 12 years before funding was approved, through federal stimulus public works funding, last year by the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.