Traffic disruptions expected today at Lord Overpass project

lowell » The Lord Overpass redesign project is set to enter Phase 4 of construction this week. The work will entail paving, sidewalk and curbing installation, as well as traffic signal installation.

While the project is anticipated to improve traffic flow through the project area and allow for more turning options for motorists, traffic will be disrupted today for several paving operations to occur. Disruptions may include intermittent lane closures and detours.

Contractors will be completing the following steps today:

•Preparation and paving of the outbound lane of Thorndike Street from Middlesex Street to Chelmsford Street, which will require a reduction to one lane of traffic.

•Preparation and paving of Middlesex Street’s west intersection with Thorndike Street, which will require intermittent closures throughout the day during which cars will be detoured toward Westford Street.

•Preparation and paving of a small section of Thorndike

Street, requiring reduction of one lane.

Due to these lane reductions and anticipated delays, motorists are advised to avoid the area of the Lord Overpass project if possible and to remain alert to altered traffic patterns if traveling in the area.

Once preparation work is completed, the implementation of Phase 4 will allow for the reopening of Middlesex Street outbound, which has been closed during Phase 3 of construction. It will also introduce the ability to travel inbound (east) along Middlesex Street and inbound

(north) by taking a left on Thorndike Street from Middlesex Street.

The Lord Overpass redesign is a $25 million infrastructure project linking the Hamilton Canal Innovation District and downtown to the Gallagher Terminal and Lowell Connector. The project is scheduled to be substantially completed by November 2022 — ahead of its original schedule.

Santa to visit local business for Toys for Tots

chelmsford » Macco Services will host its sixth annual Evening with Santa event from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13.

The event will be held in the ballroom of Princeton Station,

147 Princeton St.

Visitors should bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Anyone unable to attend can is welcome to bring donations to Macco Services’ main office at 17 Bridge St. Suite 104, Billerica.

Macco Services has donated over 5,000 toys to Toys for Tots over the years that they have run the donation drive.

Billerica to hold kids’ vaccine clinic

Billerica » A COVID-19 vaccine clinic for ages 5 to 11 will be held from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, in the Town Hall auditorium.

The Billerica Recreation Department will provide games, entertainment and food outside of Town Hall.

A follow-up clinic for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be held Jan. 8, and participants can sign up for that clinic after receiving their first shot on Dec. 4.

To register, visit home.color.com/vaccine/register/cataldo. For more information or help registering, call Health Outreach Coordinator Donna Popkin at

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