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Date: 8/16/2022
EASTHAMPTON – While initial site work on Union Street has begun, the timeline for the reconstruction of the road remains somewhat murky.
The Union Street rehabilitation and reconstruction project continues to approach the start of work as a “Notice to Proceed” with construction activities was issued to Ludlow Construction, the group awarded the project by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
In the city’s press release at the end of July announcing Ludlow Construction as the awardee of the project, it noted that substantial construction activities could be underway this fall, provided no further supply chain or contractor delays materialize. City Planner Jeff Bagg expanded on this message saying he thought the phrasing could mean different things to different people, citing that the city wants to be proactive in notifying residents of potential traffic delays due to the project.
“We don’t expect all the sidewalks to get ripped up or the road to get ripped up. We don’t expect that to happen right away, and I think that’s what people are kind of assuming,” Bagg said.
The project, which has been in planning stages since in 2015, includes replacement of underground water, sewer and gas utilities, a full reconstruction of the roadway from Big E’s Supermarket to the intersection of Cottage Street and Willingston Avenue, new Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalks, crosswalks and curbs, on-road bike accommodations – including sections of bike lanes – an upgraded raised crossing of the Manhan Rail Trail including improved alignment with Union Street, as well as a new crosswalk from Riverside Industries to the Nashawannuck Pond Promenade.
Aside from those changes, the street will also undergo a complete replacement of gas, sewer and water utilities, as well as the installation of new handicapped-accessible sidewalks. In all, the project will cost more than $5 million, and most of the infrastructure project is being funded by MassDOT’s Transportation Improvement Program.
Bagg described the status of the project as still in the very early stages. Ludlow Construction had yet to mobilize to the project site and had not confirmed an official schedule of work as of press time.
Meanwhile, MassDOT is coordinating prep work on-site as they have surveyed the location and have began moving utility poles. This work is expected to continue into the later portion of the month.
Bagg said while the city did not have an exact schedule, they have been told underground utility work is most likely next.
“What we think is the first phase is relocation of gas meters and gas lines under the road. Those are going to be isolated and targeted areas that they’ll be working up and down Union Street and that will probably last a couple weeks too,” Bagg said. “We’re not expecting the road to be fully under construction probably for a while, maybe not even until spring [2023]. But during that time, they will be doing utility relocations and all this important prep work.”
Eventually construction will go further down below the street for a water and sewer line replacement. Bagg added all this work was important before the city went into the full reconstruction of the street as some of the utilities haven’t been touched in decades.
“A lot of people are asking why don’t we hurry up and pave the road, but it’s a bigger project than that. They’re going to replace everything underground first, then they get to the top which will come later on,” Bagg said. “We don’t want to pave streets that need underground utility work until we can fix the underground utility work first.”
Bagg added the utility replacement work will help them last another 50-100 years. He also noted that the storefronts on Union Street all have their own utility connections that must be replaced as well before getting to paving.
While the city is still awaiting schedules, Bagg said the project is required to be completed by Oct. 3, 2025, to give the project a buffer in case any new issues arise. He added that he hopes the project does not take until that date, but it could so residents should stay patient.
Bagg said the project is more strategic and focused on targeted areas of the street currently. He added the city was trying to get people to gauge the activity of construction on Union Street, however as of right now there is no expectation of lengthy delays.
Bagg said that MassDOT has already communicated to the city that once construction begins, during morning rush hour from 7 to 9 a.m. they will keep both lanes on the street open before adjusting with lane closures based on activity throughout the rest of the day.
According to Bagg, one of the biggest challenges the project will face besides potential supply chain delays is establishing consistent communication to the public during the construction period. He added that he and Mayor Nicole LaChapelle are working together to promote the use of the “Notify Me” feature on the city’s website.
Residents can register to receive text and email notifications regarding the project, including future traffic updates and information around the project, at https://easthamptonma.gov/list/aspx.
“We built a page for the Union Street project and what we’re hoping to do is direct people to that,” Bagg said. “That’s going to be the best way for people to find updated information and from that webpage you can sign up for emails or text messages whenever there’s an update for Union Street. People can be notified and we’re hoping they will learn about that in the next couple of months.”
Bagg added on top of Notify Me, Easthampton is considering a citywide postcard mailer that reminds residents of the Notify Me option. He added the city is looking to be as active as they can in informing the public of the project and when construction impacts will arise and that they will use Department of Public Works electronic message boards to give motorists an indication when driving by of what to expect for traffic.
“I think the purpose of the townwide postcard will let people know if they’re interested in these types of projects, they can go to the website and sign up. I’m hoping we can highlight Union Street because its one of the biggest projects people are going to see for quite a while,” Bagg said.