NATICK - The bulk of the Rte. 135 overhaul is complete, with just a small number of items left that the town hopes the contractor will fix before the town assumes maintenance.

Town Administrator Phil Lemnios said yesterday town officials are going to walk the project to identify sidewalks that may have cracks or puddles where rainwater accumulates, among other things. They want to make sure the state project is completely over and fixed, he said.

"The town won't agree to maintain it until it is satisfied with the quality," said Lemnios.

Lemnios mentioned a sidewalk with cracks near the West Natick commuter rail station or a puddle area in front of Town Hall as examples of things to be fixed. There's also some roadway painting and signs to examine, he said.

The town administration will meet with contractor D&R General Contracting of Stoneham next week.

The $4 million-plus state project was initially scheduled to wrap up September 2005. It consisted on reconstructing Natick's section of Rte. 135 including sidewalk, lighting, traffic signal and crosswalk work.

The project has been going on for three years.

Gary Stucchi, a business owner downtown and board member of Natick Center Associates, said last summer was the slowest for his business in 15 years, because of the project and the lack of parking.

However, D&R General Contracting has done a good job, he said.

"Overall, I think the contractor did his job as efficiently as he could," said Stucchi. "The work has freshened up the center, it looks good. We will benefit from the project."

Construction stopped last winter and restarted again in the spring. The project also includes the grinding and repaving the street. Construction workers started improving the route at the Framingham line and moved all the way to the Wellesley line.

New traffic signals and ornamental lighting have also been part of the improvements.

Arthur Fair, president of Natick Center Associates, said the project was delayed a couple years because of the lack of state funding. The state agreed to fund it years ago, and plans started to be drawn, but three years passed before things started really moving forward.

"People who designed the project weren't around to administer. The contractor had bid on a set of plans that changed," said Fair. "What worked three years ago does not work today."

D&R, however, did a "phenomenal" job, said Fair, and the project is flowing nicely.

"The contractor did the best to accommodate everyone. He was always in communication with the town," said Fair.

(Claudia Torrens can be reached at 508-626-3976 or ctorrens@cnc.com.)

NATICK -- Construction work on Rte. 135 is basically over for the winter and will start again next spring, with more paving and sidewalk improvements in certain areas.

Charles Sisitsky, town public works director, told selectmen Monday night there is still work to do on Clarendon Street, South Main Street and the stretch from Cemetery Street to beyondUnion Street.

The $4.4 million state project has been going on for nearly two years and consists of installing new sidewalks and curbing. The work had an original deadline of Sept. 15, but the completion date has been extended to next summer.

D&R General Contracting of Stoneham worked on the project at the intersections of routes 135 and 27 and moved along East Central Street toward Wellesley.

"Everybody that drives North Main Street is thankful to you guys," selectmen Chairman Jay Ball said to Sisitsky and Town Engineer Mark Coviello last night.

Coviello also updated selectmen on the streets that were paved this year and the 15 streets to be paved next year. Money for repaving depend on how much the town will get this year from the state's Chapter 90, which funds road reconstruction.

Selectman John Connolly said the town "owes something" to the people who live on unaccepted roads, which the town does not maintain. Town Administrator Phil Lemnios replied that Town Meeting could change that by processing the acceptance of more roads.

Natick has about 150 miles of roads, of which approximately 120 miles are accepted, Coviello said.

Rte. 135 work to continue through summer
By Claudia Torrens / Daily News Staff
Sunday, June 26, 2005

NATICK -- Local drivers will endure traffic, noise and dust all summer long as the project to install new sidewalks and curbing continues on Rte. 135.

Work on the first phase -- from the Framingham town line to downtown -- is nearly complete, but work is continuing on the stretch from downtown to Union Street, said Town Administrator Phil Lemnios.

"We are moving along, the work may be provoke some disruption to residents, but we are doing our best to minimize that by working with the state, the developer and the business community in downtown," said Lemnios.

Construction is scheduled to end this fall, said the town administrator, but contractors may have to come back next spring to finish some "small items."

The project started two years ago and will cost the state approximately $4.4 million. Work has been divided so far into two areas: from the Framingham town line to Washington Avenue and from Washington to Union Street.

This year, the town started working on the project the day after the Boston Marathon. Former Community Development Director Sarkis Sarkisian said then that construction workers started where they left off last year at Cemetery Street and will move through downtown toward Wellesley.

Sidewalk reconstruction will also continue this summer on a portion of South Main Street to Cottage Street and then at the intersection of Rte. 135 and Rte. 27 in the heart of downtown. Then, improvements will start on East Central Street all the way up to Union Street.

NStar will work on gas lines over the next few months, and poles and signs will be reset, according to an update on the project from Natick Center Associates, a nonprofit partnership of neighbors and businesses working to improve downtown.

Lemnios said the Rte. 135 project also includes the grinding and paving of the street. The last phase of the project includes new traffic signals at three intersections and the installation of ornamental lighting.

"Although the next few months may cause some inconvenience, I feel that with open communication and cooperation of all parties involved, this project can go smoothly, with the end result benefiting businesses, pedestrians and the general flow of traffic," said Natick Center Associates member Gary Stucchi.

The work is being performed by D&R General Contracting of Stoneham. 

Town departments and the contractor meet biweekly with Natick Center Associates to be updated on the project.

Traffic won't be directed to other streets during construction and two lanes of traffic will be open, although occasionally traffic will be reduced to one lane.

Construction workers are scheduled to be on the job from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Residents interested in receiving information on the project may e-mail Natick Center Associates at info@natickcenter.org.

A construction notice was sent out by the contractor regarding the installation of new concrete sidewalks and driveways on Route 135 (West Central Street) in your area. In order to perform this work your driveways will need to be excavated the day before the contractor pours the concrete. Unfortunately, your driveway will be closed for three days after they are poured in order for the concrete to properly cure. During this time period, we’re asking residents to find alternative parking. We have made the necessary arrangements with the Natick Police Department to allow parking on the side streets along Route 135. You will not be ticketed at alternative parking locations.  As the contractor gets closer to working by your driveway, you will again receive written notice and possible verbal notice of the actual days you will be affected. Thanks again for your patience and cooperation. In the event that you have any questions or concerns please contact the following offices.

The route 135 project is on schedule after a winter hiatus.  As promised, D&R General Contracting restarted the construction on the day after the marathon.  Natick Center Associates board member Gary Stucchi says, "The town of Natick and Natick Center Associates are working together to keep the public and the businesses updated as the project proceeds.  Although the next few months may cause some inconvenience, I feel that, with open communication and cooperation of all parties involved, this project can go smoothly, with the end result benefiting businesses, pedestrians and the general flow of traffic."

Town departments and the contractor have met with Natick Center Associates on a bi-weekly basis, and will continue to do so throughout the project.  Natick Community Development Director Sarkis Sarkisian states that the contractor understands the concerns and needs of the residential and business community.

Currently, the sidewalks and curbing are being replaced.  D&R is working on route 135 from Cemetery Street to Main Street.  They will then work on a portion of South Main Street, followed by the intersection of routes 135 and 27.  They will then proceed down East Central Street to Union Street.  The town took into consideration the slower time for the downtown merchants when scheduling the construction. 

NStar will also be working on gas lines over the next few months.  Additionally, polls will be reset as well as signs.  This will be followed by grinding and paving the street, and putting in the crosswalks.  Occasionally, traffic will narrow to one lane and on-street parking may be limited at times. 

Natick Center Associates is putting packets of information together for business owners and building owners in the downtown.  For updates on the project, it is suggested that you submit your email and request to info@natickcenter.org.  If you have specific questions or concerns, please state them in your email.
 

Memorandum from Sarkis Sarkisian, Community Development Director on April 7, 2004

Re: Route 135

"The Route 135 Project will serve as the crowning touch to the municipal complex in that it will result in improved traffic, better pedestrian access and aesthetic improvements........" read more (in PDF format)