Major Road Work Starts Today in Cushing Square

Beginning today, Aug. 2, Belmont's major infrastructure project continues as water main construction begins on Trapelo Road from Pine Street to Poplar Street, cutting through the busy Cushing Square intersection of Trapelo Road and Common Street.

The construction project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2011 in preparation for a major redesign and resurfacing of Trapelo Road and Belmont Street running the length of the town.

Traffic delays are expected during construction, so drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes around the project area when construction is in progress. The road will be open to regular traffic conditions once construction has finished for the day.

Work will take place during the week between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Some of the work may have to be done at night, depending on how construction would impact traffic and water use during the day.

The Belmont Department of Public Works does not expect the roadway to be closed to through traffic at any point during construction. It is possible that in more narrow areas of the road, traffic could be reduced to one lane, alternating two-way traffic, but there will be attempts to maintain two lanes of traffic during the majority of the project.  

The construction will also cause the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to reposition some bus stops. Signs will be posted at each closed bus stop, notifying passengers of the closure and indicating the location of the nearest open bus stop.  

Bus service will continue during the water main construction.

The work along Belmont Street and Trapelo Road corridor will allow the town's Department of Public Works to continue to supply water to homes and businesses as well as improve flows throughout the town.  

The water main and services are being replaced in preparation of the resurfacing of state roads beginning in 2012.

The nearly $14 million resurfacing project, stretching the length of Belmont from Waltham to Cambridge, will include replacing and relaying electrical and gas lines, repairing the road surface and widening the roadway to include special lanes for bicycle traffic. 

Questions relating to the project or its schedule should be directed to the engineering consultant, Weston & Sampson, at 978-532-1900, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Or call the DPW office at 617-993-2680.