News Flash

Highway Division Updates

• Last week, the Highway Division:
  • Repaired potholes on Blackberry Lane and Reservoir Road
  • Repaired curb cut on Manhan Street
  • Applied asphalt overlay to Blackberry Lane, Manhan Street, Prospect Street and Reservoir Road
  • Painted pavement markings at Locust Street Transfer Station
  • Trimmed vegetation at Manhan Rail Trail entrance on Pleasant Street
  • Removed, repaired and/or replaced signs on Crescent Street, King Street, North Elm Street, Prospect Street, Summer Street and West Street
• Federal Street is reduced to one lane at the culvert crossing between Milton Street and Vernon Street until further notice
• Lovefield Street remains closed until further notice
• Annual ward street sweeping operations continue in Ward 6
• To report a pothole, please submit a request via the Pothole Repair Form; the largest potholes are filled first to alleviate hazards to vehicles; as hazards arise and are identified, they will be addressed
• To report an issue with a traffic sign, please submit a request via the Traffic Sign Issue Form

Adare Place Outfall Reconstruction

• The City has contracted with Mass-West Construction, Inc. to reconstruct a drainage outfall along the Mass Central Rail Trail near Adare Place
• The rail trail is closed from Jackson Street to Stoddard Street until July 31^st; a detour (pdf) will be in place via Prospect Street 
• The Contractor will continue constructing the basin and installing manholes and pipe this week

Damon Road Reconstruction

• MassDOT has contracted with Gagliarducci Construction, Inc. to reconstruct Damon Road from the bike path to just beyond the intersection with Bridge Road, King Street and North King Street
• The project will provide intersection and traffic signal improvements, extended sidewalks, a shared use path and other safety improvements
• The project is scheduled to be completed by December 2024
• The Contractor will continue installing permanent patches on King Street this week; travel may be reduced to one lane during construction hours (7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
• Questions about the project should be directed to MassDOT District 2, project #608236

Dryads Green Extension Drainage & Slope Improvements

• The City has contracted with Geeleher Enterprises Inc. to construct drainage and slope improvements from the end of Dryads Green Extension to the Mill River; work also includes roadway drainage improvements
• The project is substantially complete; some minor modifications will be installed in July
• Public Works will be on-site continuing post-construction observations throughout the summer

Green Street - Smith College Geothermal Project

• Smith College is undertaking a campus-wide geothermal energy project
• The project includes the installation of underground distribution piping across several City streets
• Work on Green Street is ongoing and is anticipated to last until mid-August

I-91 Bridges over Route 5, the Railroad and Hockanum Road

• MassDOT has contracted with J.F. White, Inc. to construct roadway improvements to I-91 and at Exit 23 (formerly Exit 18)
• The project will replace the I-91 bridges over Route 5, the Railroad and Hockanum Road and construct safety and signal improvements at the exit interchange
• The project is scheduled to be completed in phases by 2025
  
• I-91 southbound:
  • Daytime left lane closure Monday and Tuesday this week, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for median restoration
• I-91 northbound:
  • Daytime left lane closure Monday and Tuesday this week, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for electrical work
• Route 5:
  
  • Daytime lane shifts Monday through Wednesday this week, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for retaining wall construction; two-way traffic will be maintained at all times; a police detail will assist with traffic control
• Hockanum Road:
  • No traffic impacts are anticipated this week
• Questions about the project should be directed to MassDOT District 2, project #606552

Levee Toe Drain Improvements

• The City has contracted with Ludlow Construction Co., Inc. for the installation of manholes along the land side of both the Connecticut and Mill River levee systems as well as video inspection of the toe drains running parallel to the levees
• The City or the Contractor may be on site investigating drain issues around Hockanum Road this week

Levee Vegetation Management

• The City has contracted with Cain’s Mechanical LLC for vegetation management at various locations throughout the levee and flood control system on both the Connecticut and Mill Rivers
• Work to mechanically remove unwanted woody growth and fallen trees and localized placement of rip rap for slope stabilization will be undertaken periodically system wide throughout the growing season
• The Contractor has completed spring mowing and vegetation clearing; work will resume in July or August

Prospect Street Sewer Repair

• The City has contracted with Geeleher Enterprises Inc. to repair a sewer main in the vicinity of 274 Prospect Street, near the intersection with Massasoit Street
• Work is scheduled to begin in July
  

Rocky Hill Road (Route 66)

• The City has contracted with Geeleher Enterprises Inc. to repair a drain pipe near the Hampshire Jail & HOC; work also includes repairs to the east bound lane pavement, curbing and sidewalk
• Work is scheduled to resume in July

Rocky Hill Road, Ice Pond Outlet Improvements

• The City has contracted with Flynn Enterprises, Inc. to construct improvements to Ice Pond on Rocky Hill Road including installation of a new outlet structure and a new access road
• Site preparations, including vegetation clearing, were completed in Winter 2024
• The Contractor will begin working on the pond and outlet structure modifications in the coming weeks; the project is expected to last several months
• Questions about the project should be directed to the Office of Planning & Sustainability

Sewer Lining

• The City has contracted with National Water Main Cleaning Company for in situ lining of the sewer main on Cherry Street, Graves Avenue, Highland Avenue, Linden Street, Maplewood Terrace, Milton Street, Orchard Avenue, Ormond Drive, Union Street and Williams Street
• The project includes cleaning and inspecting sewer lines followed by pipe lining utilizing a technique called ultraviolet-light cured in place pipe (UV-CIPP)
• Brief disruptions to sewer service will occur during the process and notices will be handed out one (1) week in advance with a reminder notice 24 hours before any service impact
• See Notice to Residents (pdf) for more information
• Installation will run Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• A parking ban will be in effect and one-way alternating traffic will be maintained at all times with police/flagger details assisting with traffic control
• The lining schedule below is subject to change

• Lateral (service) lining will begin after the mains are lined
• The Contractor has demobilized and will resume lining on Monday, July 15^th

An overview of all current Public Works projects can be found by going to Current Projects.

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