By Meredith McCulloch
Dateline: December 20, 2014
Roads, sidewalks, and water and sewer projects were among the infrastructure goals set for 2015 by the Town Manger and Selectmen on December 20. The granting of contracts is governed by state laws, in which projects must be designed, funded and competitively bid in an open process.
Acknowledging the number of projects underway, the Selectmen asked when the Town would decide whether projects could be managed in-house or when it is more expedient to use contracted services. Chair Margot Fleischman asked should a project manager be hired to keep up the momentum on projects. DPW Director Roy Sorenson said he and Adrienne St. John, Town Engineer, will be discussing the issue and make a recommendation to the Selectmen shortly.
Great Road sewer and water pipe repairs
Completing the relining of the Great Road water main and installation of water tank mixing systems are a top priority. The relining and the mixing systems reduce corrosion and bacteria formation in the line. Coliform bacteria in the water have been a recurring problem over the last few years, though numbers have continued to fall with pipe improvements and routine flushing. Work on this project has gone on since 2013, and the hope is to complete the Great Road section plus Gray Terrace and part of Brooksbie Road in 2015. (Bedford water is safe. See
https://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/bedfordma/files/u133/water_notice_august_2014_0.pdf)
Following recent leaks in the sewer main that connects the town to the Massachusetts Resource Water Authority (MWRA) system at Bedford Street in Lexington, sewer pipe improvement has risen in priority for the Department of Public Works. Last fall the area from Westview Cemetery to Aldred Street in Lexington was rehabilitated. The DPW anticipates that the project design for the rest of the sewer pipe will be completed in time to request construction funding at the 2015 Annual Town Meeting. (This sewer also serves Hanscom Field, which will bear 20% of the costs.)
Sidewalk improvements
Completion of the North Road sidewalk from Harvard Drive to Pine Hill Road is also planned for the 2015 construction season. Easements for an east side sidewalk have been obtained and tree removal and hydrant relocation has begun. The hope is to complete paving the walk this coming spring, using a current contractor. Additional sidewalks on Concord Road are still in the planning stage and new estimates are being sought.
Intersection improvements
The plan is to complete construction of the South Road, Springs Road, and Great Road intersections during the 2015 construction season. The road is very wide at Springs Road and a safer route for pedestrians is needed. This is part of the Great Road Master Plan. The cost of moving utilities underground in that area is being explored for possible presentation at ATM in 2015. In the past, voters have accepted a 2% surcharge on electricity bills to support moving utilities underground.
A Request For Proposal (RFP)[has been issued] for redesign of the North Road and Chelmsford Road intersection near Renzo’s Hair Salon. The work is planned for early winter 2015. The changes will improve visibility and therefore safety.
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