Wakefield National Grid Project Update: Broadway Crossing

Press release from the Town of Wakefield:

October 16, 2020

After four years of planning, this summer National Grid began working on the MBTA crossing at Broadway Street as part of its 8.5-mile Woburn-to-Wakefield Line Project. In addition to the electric cable project, local utility upgrades were incorporated while the area was already excavated to avoid having to disturb the roadway and interrupt commuter rail service multiple times. For that reason, the Town of Wakefield’s Public Works (DPW) and Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department (WMGLD) were also on site and coordinated their water and gas system improvements.

Detailed, concise engineering and design was required for this open-cut construction method with multiple parties involved, including engineering firms, construction companies, subcontractors, Town departments, and the MBTA. As with any project of this scope, some unforeseen delays were encountered, but we can report that the National Grid electric conduits, DPW water pipes, and WMGLD gas lines have now been installed with some remaining corrosion protection work to be completed by the town’s contractor on October 20.

Further, the MBTA recently identified that a track adjustment is needed at this site, which they intend to perform over the weekend of October 16—18. Once complete, the temporary paving process will take approximately three days, at which point the Broadway Street crossing can be fully reopened to vehicular traffic on October 23.* The final paving for Broadway Street, to be coordinated by Wakefield’s DPW, will occur next year and includes sidewalk modifications and restoring the traffic islands.

On behalf of the Woburn to Wakefield Line Project, WMGLD, and Wakefield DPW, we thank you for your continued patience as we work through the final stages of construction at the Broadway Street crossing.

If you have questions or concerns about the various components of this work, please contact the appropriate division:

• National Grid at 844-646-8427 or info@ma-nhsolution.com.
• Wakefield Department of Public Works at 781-246-6301 x 3 or dpw@wakefield.ma.us.
• Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department at 781-246-6363 or Office@wmgld.com

Thank you,

Woburn to Wakefield Line Project, Wakefield DPW and Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department

*Please note, due to the complexities of outdoor construction, schedule is subject to change.

Have you signed up for National Grid’s Wakefield-to-Woburn Line update email? Their weekly overview provides project progress and related traffic-management information. View the project page and sign up to receive it in your inbox.

This press release was produced by the Town of Wakefield. The views expressed here are the author’s own.