Peabody's Plans To Fix 'Disaster Area' On County Street

PEABODY, MA — A two-phased plan to repair what Mayor Ted Bettencourt called what "could probably qualify as a disaster area" on County Street will begin next week and conclude with a full repaving in the spring.

In a robocall to area residents on Thursday night, Bettencourt said he consulted with National Grid's project manager following the months-long construction project that decimated the street and developed a short-term fix to get residents through the winter before the full repair can be done in the spring.

"I have received many calls about the poor condition of the road," Bettencourt said, "and I certainly understand and agree with your frustration."

Bettencourt said the "short-term fix" will begin overnight on Nov. 12 with paving of the surfaces that were excavated to install new pipelines. He said that part of the project will be "less than a week."

"This project will smooth out the bumpiest and most treacherous portions of the street to allow for better driving conditions and also for safer and more effective plow operations this winter," he said.

He said the city will fully repave the entire street from curb to curb in the spring with money that has already been budgeted.

"I want to thank the residents of County Street and the surrounding area for their patience during National Grid's construction project," he said. "I know that it has not been easy.

"I also want to thank all those who drive on County Street and have had to navigate some very bumpy and treacherous conditions these past few months. Help is on the way."

(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.)