The Pleasant Street Bridge will be repaved this summer; however the Union Street corridor (from Route 16 to Algonguian Drive) is not slated to be repaved until 2019 utilizing Capital Improvement Funds as noted in the 5 Year Paving plan that was approved earlier this year by the Board of Selectmen. I will forward your concerns about the patches to the Highway Supervisor to determine what Highway can do in the interim to help with the pass-ability of the roadway.

Thanks for such a complete and fast response! Great to hear they will pave the bridge but would ask for a closer look on the condition of Union Ave from RT 16 up the long hill. It has suffered from water run off freezing and thawing in the winter and various patches made for utilities. It really is a patchwork mess. This coming winter will only make it much worse.
But thanks again for the reply and consideration!

John Shoemaker
31 Pleasant St

Well, it is Sept 15 and all work seems to have stopped on the bridge over the Charles River. What is the current plan? What is the equipment doing (I hear machinery running, like a pump)? Any idea when it will be done?

Although it may appear that work has stopped, the bridge project is still proceeding and is nearing completion. There is still remaining work left to do prior to completion including items such as completion of concrete pours, raising castings in the roadway, surface milling, paving and striping. All of this work is being scheduled between 9am and 3pm to minimize traffic disruptions. Unforeseen subsurface conditions and high water in the river delayed the project at its outset but at this moment the contractor is still on track to complete the project within the contract schedule.

OK, can you tell us the planned completion date? Or the contract schedule for completion?

Again, with the bridge/pavement/etc. still not complete as of Oct 15, what is the planned completion date?? Or what is the so-called "contract schedule"?
I assume you will not extend the paving from the bridge back up Union Ave and up the hill with all the patches that make the road so bumpy and annoying. (??)

John:

The contractor for the project did not comply with project specifications for the placement of the sidewalk concrete. The Town has directed the contractor to remove the concrete and re-install in conformance with the contract.

The Contractor has agreed to perform this work pending approval of the materials by the Dept. of Public Works. Following placement of the concrete it is anticipated the structure castings will be raised to finished grade and the roadway over the bridge paved. It is anticipated that the completion will take two weeks from the placement of concrete.

In regards to Union Street, it was not included within the Pleasant Street Bridge appropriation; however, it is proposed to be done in 2019 as part of the 5 year roadway improvements contract.

If you have any additional questions, you can call us in the Engineering Division at 1-508-647-6551.

Thanks for the update. Nothing is easy these days. Good luck. Hope it is done by Thanksgiving!!