North Avenue is the latest Haverhill roadway to receive an overhaul, Mayor James J. Fiorentini said Monday. (File photograph)
Haverhill’s North Avenue is getting a $13 million makeover in Mayor James J. Fiorentini’s effort to make the roadway a “Gateway to the City.”
Work is set to begin in 2023 and include repaving of the roadway and the installation of new sidewalks and bicycle lanes on both sides all the way to the Plaistow, N.H., town line. A plan to beautify the area with trees and other landscaping is in the works, according to the Mayor’s office.
To ensure maximum public safety, roadway redesign and painting of traffic lines as necessary are also planned.
“North Avenue is an important project and part of my vision and plan to update all the major gateways into the city,” Fiorentini said Monday as he announced the funding. “Our gateways are the first impressions many people get when they come to Haverhill, so we want them to look updated and well maintained.”
Public feedback from all Haverhill residents—especially those who live on North Avenue—will be sought during all stages of the process. City Engineer John Pettis said a public hearing on reconstruction is set to take place once the project is 25 percent designed in about a year.
“Before construction, we want to hear from the public and the neighbors” Fiorentini said.
The city is responsible for covering design costs, expected to be around $800,000.
North Avenue is the latest city roadway to receive TLC from Fiorentini, who vowed in last year’s State of the City address to rebuild as many entranceways to the city as possible. Main Street is currently under construction and plans are in place to rebuild portions of Broadway later this summer.
Water Street is next on Fiorentini’s priority list and while a preliminary approval has been obtained for the project, a funding schedule is not yet finalized.