Map of project area from Lake Street to Forest Street, along route 97.
Residents have an opportunity to tonight to comment on a proposed $6 million street reconstruction project for upper Broadway, between Research Drive and Silver Birch Lane.
Mayor James J. Fiorentini and the Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) will hold the meeting at 7 p.m., tonight, in room 301, at Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer Street, “to get input on the Broadway Project from residents,” according to Chief of Staff David S. Van Dam.
“The Broadway reconstruction project is proposed to have new street trees, new curbing and sidewalks, new street paving and improvements for water drainage,” Van Dam said. “There will be city engineers and Massachusetts Department of Transportation officials in attendance to discuss the project and listen to resident suggestions.”
It is the second public hearing for the proposal, according to the mayor.
“This is a $6 million state project and has preliminary approval from Mass DOT,” Fiorentini said. “If it becomes fully designed and receives final approval, it will begin in a few short years.”
The proposed project consists of vehicular safety and capacity improvements as well as improved pedestrian and bicycle accommodations/accessibility along Broadway (route 97), according to MassDOT. The project “entails the installation of fully actuated traffic control systems at the Lake Street and Forest Street intersections.” The improvements also include pavement reconstruction, rehabilitation of the existing drainage system, the addition of new sidewalks/curbing along both sides of the roadway, (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant wheelchair ramps, landscaping and improved intersection geometry. Bicycle accommodations “consisting of five-foot bicycle lanes have been provided in accordance with applicable design guides.”
“A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project,” a statement from MassDOT reads. “Acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary easements may be required. The City of Haverhill is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands. MassDOT’s policy concerning land acquisitions will be discussed at this hearing.” More information is available from the state at http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/downloads/hearings/ho_haverhill040716.pdf.
A previous project hearing was held in November, 2014 when, as reported by WHAV, “concepts and alternatives for the state-funded project” were presented prior to entering the project’s design phase. In 2015, a 25 percent design submission was made by the city to MassDOT.
Great. A bike ride to nowhere, traveling up the second biggest hill in Haver-hill. Talk about being trendy to the point of goofiness.