Salem Maps Out Summer Road, Water And Sewer Work Across City

SALEM, MA — The city of Salem is preparing to carry out roadway, water, sewer and drainage improvement projects throughout the summer and into the fall, with work planned in downtown and neighborhood streets across the city.

The city said the projects are intended to replace aging water system components, improve drainage, repair sewer infrastructure, resurface roadways and repair sidewalks.

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A planned water infrastructure project began July 13 to replace nine water valves in the Washington Square and Pleasant Street areas. The city said those valves play an essential role in Salem's water distribution system. A contractor has already replaced six existing water gate valves along Pleasant Street that had been inoperable.

The next planned night shutdowns in the Common area are scheduled during the week of July 27. The contractor is expected to return to the west side of the Common to install three more gate valves at the intersection of Washington Square and Brown.

The city said overnight shutdowns were scheduled to lessen impacts on residents, downtown businesses and public services.

Salem said this work is part of $2,625,000 in budgeted water system upgrades and repairs planned across the city for this fiscal year.

The city said replacing aging valves now should improve the reliability and resiliency of the water system, reduce the likelihood of future service interruptions and provide greater operational flexibility during emergency repairs, routine maintenance and future infrastructure projects.

Following completion of the valve replacement project, the city's paving contractor is expected to mobilize during the first week of August.

Crews are expected to begin in the downtown area before moving outward to neighborhood streets, and a second round of paving is anticipated later this fall. Planned paving locations include Pleasant Street, Broadway, Palmer Street, Gardner Street and Salem Street, with the city noting that work on Salem Street is tied to improvements connected to the Sarah Parker Remond School.

The city also said sidewalk repairs at seven locations, including Bradley Road, Chandler Road, Essex Street, Fredrick Street and Loring Avenue, are scheduled for completion by the end of this month.

Other utility work includes a late July sewer repair in front of 8 Norman Street, ongoing water main improvements in the Wall Street and Henry Street area, and a one-week drain project at Bayview Avenue and Sutton Avenue, where Sutton Avenue will be closed to through traffic during construction.

Residents should expect temporary impacts near work areas, including lane closures, traffic delays, overnight construction noise, temporary water service interruptions, reduced water pressure and short periods of discolored water after service is restored.

The city said customers who notice discolored water should run their cold water until it clears and should not run hot water while the water is discolored.