Peabody 4-Year Central Street Reconstruction Project Starts In April

PEABODY, MA — Four years of construction disruptions are set to begin on Central Street in Peabody next month as part of a $20 million project to rebuild what Mayor Ted Bettencourt called "easily one of the worst roads in the city."

Bettencourt said the project will completely rebuild the street from Walnut Street to Wilson Square.

While staging may take place in upcoming weeks, Bettencourt said the project will start in earnest in April and continue over the next four construction seasons with completion expected in 2027.

"That duration is longer than any of us would like," Bettencourt allowed. "The portion that will most disrupt vehicle traffic is the first half. For much of the later stages, work will take place on the side of the road and traffic will be able to flow freely."

Work will take place in a small section of the road at any one time and will not take place during the winter each year.

"Folks, this is going to be a tough project," Bettencourt said. "There's no denying it. A project of this scope and duration is bound to cause some headaches."

The final result, he said, will be worth the disruptions.

"Once finished, the new Central Street will be a huge improvement for residents," he said. "I am so excited to see the final project. But we have a lot of work ahead of us."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)