Major road repairs in store for Millville
Town preps launch of Central Street transportation improvement project
MILLVILLE — The town is preparing to embark on one of its biggest road improvement projects since the $8.2 million Central
Street bridges reconstruction project. But unlike that endeavor, town officials say, the $1.3 million Central Street transportation improvement project – an eightmonth-long construction campaign that will include new roadway reconstruction, sidewalks and drainage improvements – should be far less disruptive.
“If we were able to survive the bridges being out for so long I think we should be able to get through this,” said Selectmen Thomas S. Houle.
Unlike the massive and lengthy reconstruction of the five-bridge Millville bridge system, which disrupted motorist and local businesses for months during the early 2000’s, the upcoming road project is expected to cause considerably less headaches with only minor detours and plenty of police details to assist motorists.
Central Street is the only road that connects Millville’s north and south sides.
The town has set a March 1 deadline for construction bids for the project, which is on target to begin March 25 and be completed by Dec. 3.
“The project schedule is on the fast track,” noted Highway Surveyor Brian Mullaly.
The project will reconstruct approximately 0.9-miles of Central Street from Ironstone
“The project schedule is on the fast track.” —Highway Surveyor Brian Mullaly
Street to the Rhode Island border – a major collector road in the town’s center – reducing flooding hazards, complementing a recent intersection reconstruction, and utilizing a design approach that will increase connectivity to the town center for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
Detailed work includes full depth pavement, minor box widening, hot mix asphalt overlay, concrete sidewalk construction, ADA/ AAB-compliant curb ramps, granite and concrete curb installation, storm drainage system improvements, guardrail installation, traffic signs, pavement markings, and other incidental work.
The project is being paid for by two grants, including a $1 million MassWorks Infrastructure grant awarded to the town in 2016. The grant was one of 34 grants to projects in 33 communities across the Commonwealth to fund a range of infrastructure improvements.
The total $1.3 million price tag for the project includes $20,000 for surveying; $5,000 for permitting; $150,000 for design and engineering; and $1,125,000 for actual construction. The town is contributing state Chapter 90 money towards the project.
Town officials say conditions on Central Street are deplorable. Roadways are fractured, the pavement is waffled, sidewalks are crumbling and there are severe drainage issues.
Central Street is the town’s most traveled road, spanning Lincoln Street to Providence Street near the Rhode Island town line. Central Street handles approximately 6,000 vehicles as day, 16 percent of which are heavy trucks.
The project would connect newer sidewalks with those on the John Dean Memorial Bridges, which were completed in 2010. The project would also provide a safer, ADA compliant walking experience for the projected increase in pedestrian traffic generated by the Blackstone River Greenway Bike Path, a 3.7-mile stretch in Blackstone, Millville and Uxbridge, that opened a couple of years ago.
The five key aspects of the Central Street Improve- ment Project are road reconstruction, including pavement marking and traffic calming elements; new sidewalks to improve connectivity from Center Street to Providence Street; drainage improvements; wheelchair ramps at all driveways and intersections; and bicycle signage and accommodations to tie into the Blackstone River Greenway Bike Path.