The public has opportunities to influence what Haverhill streets are repaired and repaved this year as the city gears up to use $1.5 million in state road aid.
Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini said the money—known as Chapter 70 aid—is the same amount the state provided last year. This year, he noted, the city will be unable to again match the amount because of shortfalls caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Street paving is one of the things residents have been asking for and want more of,” Fiorentini said. “Haverhill is one of the largest cities in the state so no matter how many roads we do and how much we spend, there’s always going to be more to do. But, in recent years and in upcoming years, we are doing more road paving than ever, and we are making it a priority to get as much of the city’s backlog of paving done as soon as possible,” he said in a release.
There are 34 square miles, 1,400 streets and 424 curb miles in Haverhill.
The mayor said the city uses an outside company to inspect, analyze and grade every public road and then generate a prioritized list of recommended paving projects. The review considers age, condition, how heavily used a given street is and other factors.
The mayor said input from residents is also considered and the public is asked to call 311, the city’s call center, with requests.
He said the Haverhill Highway Department has Essex and High Streets, among others, with leftover money from last year. Work crews are also performing crack-sealing, micro-surfacing and other preventative maintenance on various streets.