News Flash

Weekly Construction Updates

• Interactive Construction Updates Map - managed by the Mayor's Office

Highway Division Updates

• Last week, the Highway Division:
  • Repaired potholes on Avis Circle, Bardwell Street, Barrett Street, Bliss Street, Butler Place, Corticelli Street, Glendale Road, Hatfield Street, Island Road, Jackson Street, King Street, Locust Street, Main Street, Mulberry Street, Old South Street, Pine Street, Riverside Drive and Ryan Road
  • Removed, repaired and/or replaced signs on Main Street
• Annual ward street sweeping operations will resume in the coming weeks
  • Wards will be swept in the following order this year: 7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• Federal Street remains reduced to one lane at the culvert crossing between Milton Street and Vernon Street until further notice
• Lovefield Street remains closed until further notice
• To report a pothole, please submit a request via the Pothole Repair Form; the largest potholes are filled first to alleviate hazards to vehicles; as hazards arise and are identified, they will be addressed
• To report an issue with a traffic sign, please submit a request via the Traffic Sign Issue Form

Damon Road Reconstruction

• MassDOT has contracted with Gagliarducci Construction, Inc. to reconstruct Damon Road from the bike path to just beyond the intersection with Bridge Road, King Street and North King Street
• The project will provide intersection and traffic signal improvements, extended sidewalks, a shared use path and other safety improvements
• Construction is complete
• The Contractor may work on punch list items this week
• Questions about the project should be directed to MassDOT District 2, project #608236

Federal Street Drain Rehabilitation

• The City has contracted with National Water Main Cleaning Company for in situ lining of a drain line on Federal Street, between Elm Street Brook and Milton Street
• The project includes cleaning and inspecting drain mains followed by pipe lining utilizing a technique called ultraviolet-light cured in place pipe (UV-CIPP)
• The Contractor has demobilized; work will resume in the coming weeks

I-91 Bridges over Route 5 (Mount Tom Road), Railroad and Hockanum Road

• MassDOT has contracted with J.F. White, Inc. to construct roadway improvements to I-91 and at Exit 23 (formerly Exit 18)
• The project will replace the I-91 bridges over Route 5, the Railroad and Hockanum Road and construct safety and signal improvements at the exit interchange
• Construction is complete
• This week, on I-91 southbound and northbound:
  • Left lane closures on Monday, April 7th, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., for bridge inspection
  • Right lane closures on Tuesday, April 8th, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., for bridge inspection
• Questions about the project should be directed to MassDOT District 2, project #606552

Northampton Bikeway (Mass Central Rail Trail) Resurfacing

• The City has contracted with Warner Bros., LLC to resurface the pavement on the Northampton Bikeway segment of the Mass Central Rail Trail between Bridge Road and State Street
• Details about the project can be viewed at Northampton Bikeway
• Pavement installation is complete; work on crosswalks, fencing, intersections and signage will resume Spring 2025
• The Contractor will mobilize this week; work may include installing construction signage, erosion control and site protection 

Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation

• The City has contracted with Precision Trenchless LLC to line sewer manholes with known groundwater infiltration issues at various locations, including on Acrebrook Drive, Beattie Drive, Brierwood Drive, Hospital Road & Orchard Avenue and at the Elks Lodge parking lot (Spring Street)
• The Contractor has demobilized until May

South Main Street Sewer Repair

• The City has contracted with Geeleher Enterprises Inc. to make a sewer repair in the vicinity of 143 South Main Street
• A temporary repair and trench patch is in place
• The Contractor is tentatively scheduled to resume work April 21st

Tree Protection Zones

• The fencing that has been erected in areas of the City around trees is to protect them during the different phases of utility upgrades and other construction excavations that are within fifty (50) feet of a public shade tree. This protection policy (pdf) is a requirement under the City’s trench permit policy (pdf) and ensures that public shade trees are kept free and clear from trunk and root damage.
• Excavation contractors have a phased approach to utility upgrades where they replace the main lines first over multiple streets then return at a later date to install new services to homes and businesses. Once they complete these phases they will remove the tree protection and may erect them at another location where work has yet to begin. Their schedule, while followed closely by the DPW permit system, is largely based on their operational capacity and contractor availability.

Projects to Resume Spring 2025

• Dam & Flood Control System Vegetation Management
• King Street Corridor Traffic Signal Pole Painting
• Rocky Hill Road, Ice Pond Outlet Improvements
• Smith College Area Pedestrian Improvements

Additional Information & Notifications

• An overview of all current Public Works projects can be found by going to Current Projects.
• Sign up for automatic notifications via the Notify Me system on the City's website. Please sign-in (at the top of the page) and then subscribe to the "Public Works" category under News Flash (at the bottom of the page).