City launches schedule of road improvements
Date: 5/26/2009
By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
CHICOPEE -- Be prepared for construction this summer in many parts of the city, but also be prepared for an improved roadway and infrastructure in the community.
Standing in the entrance of Paine Avenue on Thursday, Mayor Michael Bissonnette announced a series of road improvements that will take place this summer. Thanks to a combination of funding from federal state and local sources, the city is doing about twice as much infrastructure improvements this construction season than it would normally do, he said.
City Council President William Zaskey and City Councilor Fred Krampits joined Bissonnette at the announcement.
The projects include:
• Paine Avenue reconstruction
The project has started and includes the total reconstruct ion of Paine Avenue, Hamilton Street and Page Court. Roads, sidewalks, sewers and storm drains are being replaced, which Bissonnette described as the finishing touches for the neighborhood. He noted that a bar that had created problems and 16 garages that were in poor condition have already been replaced by new housing.
The projects cost $413,000 and came from a Community Development Block Grant. A. Periera Construction Company is the contractor.
• Citywide road resurfacing
Palmer Paving Corporation won the contract with the low bid of $1.168 million for the cold planning and resurfacing of Center Street (from West Street to Market Square); Exchange Street (from Cabot to Center streets); Montgomery Street (from Route 33 to Granby Road); and James Street (from Montcalm to Syrek streets).
Department of Public Works Superintendent Stanley Kulig said the work should start by early summer and be completed by late summer.
The funding is coming from the city's Chapter 90 state aid allotment.
• Rolf Avenue and Orange Street reconstruction
This project would rebuild Rolf Avenue between Grattan and Dale streets as well as reconstruct Orange Street between Montgomery and Newell streets. The budget is estimated at $600,000 and would also be funded through the city's Chapter 90 funds. The project should be out to bid in June.
Bissonnette noted that the Front Street reconstruction is underway -- an $8.04 million project funded by state and federal funds. The Center Street reconstruction project is expected to begin this year and continue through 2010. With the completion of those projects, Bissonnette said the downtown triangle would have all new roads.
He added the Davitt Bridge would also be rebuilt by the state.
Bissonnette said the city would attempt to have a full repaving of Memorial Drive added to the list of local infrastructure projects funded by federal stimulus money next month. If successful, he anticipated that project would be undertaken in the fall. Part of the project would include the removal of the railroad tracks that cross Memorial Drive near Westover Road.
He believes that infrastructure repair will spur additional private development in the city.
Bissonnette credited State Rep. Joseph Wagner for helping to secure funds for these projects and said, "I'm very happy and fortunate to deliver on my promise to improve the infrastructure in the city."
