Main St. and Pepperell Square Rehabilitation project

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Main St. and Pepperell Square Rehabilitation project

After a series of delays work began in Pepperell Square on Tuesday September 7, 2004. This phase of the project is quite extensive and is expected to take four weeks to complete. The square will be closed to vehicular traffic during this time, shops and businesses will remain open and pedestrian access will be maintained. To facilitate weekend business activities, Pepperell Square will reopen to vehicles Friday evenings at 5 PM closing again at 7 AM on Mondays during the construction phase.

Update, November 12

A significant amount of work has been completed. At this point the focus is on completing the curbing and sidewalk work and buttoning the area to be ready for winter.

The granite curbing has been installed, and brick sidewalks have been installed throughout the square. The crews continue to work on curbing and walkways adjacent to the Saco House of Pizza. Concrete sidewalks will be installed here and in front of Rapid Rays. This work should begin the week of November 15th. Unlike the brick sidewalks the concrete will take some time to set up and be ready for foot traffic. Generally speaking this takes a day or so at this time of year.

Final paving of the area is complete. In the next two weeks crosswalk will be painted. This is temporary, in the spring the pavement will be cut and concrete pavers will be installed. This includes the raised table crosswalk. Painting crews will mark out parking stalls and complete pavement striping.

Bases for light poles are in place. The new light poles have been ordered; due to the manufacturing time involved these are not expected until late winter.

Scope of Work
The project will involve complete removal and excavation of paved areas and removal of all curbing and sidewalks. The street area will be completely reconstructed including two new crosswalks. Granite curb and brick sidewalks will be constructed throughout the square. New light poles will be installed to improve lighting particularly for pedestrians. Trees will be planted to enhance the overall appearance of the area. Parking areas will be will be improved and more clearly delineated.

This work is scheduled to take four weeks to complete. Dearborn Brothers Construction is the General Contractor doing the work. The city has allowed them the four weeks with no vehicle traffic to complete work in the square. The plan is to restore normal traffic flow and activities by 5PM Friday October 8th.

Additional Phases
Similar construction is planned for Main Street from Pepperell square north to Cutts Avenue. This work will involve sidewalks on both sides of the street. The existing sidewalks, curbing, and light poles will be removed. Granite curb will be installed and concrete sidewalks will be formed and poured. Crosswalks will be installed at intersections to improve pedestrian visibility and safety. New light poles will be installed to provide street and sidewalk lighting.

Trees will be planted at selected locations on each side of the Main Street. As part of work much of the overhead wiring along the Main Street corridor will be eliminated.

Work on Main Street will not involve traffic closure. Work zones will be created to allow crews to perform the work while providing safe zones for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. As in Pepperell Square shops and businesses will remain open.

This project has taken a number of years to reach this point. Planning and design involved a number of people including city staff, local merchants, and business people. This process resulted in a high quality affordable project, which improves traffic flow, safety, and convenience while enhancing the appearance of SacoÕs business district.