Construction Resumes on Main Street This Week

Construction picked up again this week on Main Street after a four-month hiatus due to the winter weather.

Work crews are busy along the eastbound side of the street, working from Washington Street down to Peabody Square, tearing up curbing and sidewalks that will be replaced with wider walkways that are ADA compliant, brick pavers, "bumpouts" at crosswalks and other streetscape improvements.

The crosswalks will also have brick pavers and improved signage.

Once substantial headway is made on that section, work will then begin from Howley Street down to Washington.

And once the sidewalks are complete -- the other side of the street was done last year -- work will focus on reconfiguring the travel lanes, upgrading and synchronizing the traffic lights and installing traffic islands.

New trees will also be planted along the length of Main Street and street lighting will be improved.

Hours of construction are 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Mayor Ted Bettencourt's office released a brief update earlier this week, promising the entire project will be complete by June 30 and that all Main Street businesses should be able to remain open during construction.

The city will be posting project updates on the city website.