HAVERHILL — It's been stalled for more than a decade, but state officials are promising that a sweeping renovation of the 2.2-mile stretch of Route 125 from Bradford Square to the North Andover line will begin as soon as next fall and no later than early 2011.
The main thrust is repaving the busy South Main Street roadway through the city's Bradford section to Boston Road, near the North Andover line, as well as a half-mile of Salem Street from Bradford Common to Peabody Street.
The $14.6 million, state-funded project will also include new cement sidewalks, granite curbing and crosswalks along South Main Street, six new, synchronized traffic signals and one new, pedestrian-activated signal across from Academy Lanes Plaza, a redesign of parts of the Bradford Square business district, an upgrade of the drinking water and drainage systems in the area and at least 150 new trees that will be planted along the route.
It could also include period lighting and the restoration of the historic but dilapidated lighthouse on the Basiliere Bridge that has been dark for decades.
Mayor James Fiorentini called the job one of the largest public works projects in the city's history. It is expected to take at least two years to complete, with work likely beginning near Bradford Square at the foot of the Basiliere Bridge, he said.
The Massachusetts Highway Department, which is overseeing the job, hosted a meeting last week to update the community on the project first approved by the state in 1993 and funded in 1997, Fiorentini said.
The mayor said the most recent delay of at least five years was caused by a financial dispute between MassHighway and the architectural firm designing the project, VHB Engineering. That dispute has been resolved, and the state announced at last week's public meeting that funding is in place to put the project out to bid this winter and break ground in about a year.
"After more than 15 years, the design is finally completed," Fiorentini said. "They claim they will put it to bid this winter and start next fall. But I'm nervous they won't be able start when they say, mainly because of all the temporary easements they need."
The state has to secure approval from as many as 190 private property owners along Route 125 to temporary encroach on driveways and lawns along the way.
Barbara Berg, who lives at 619 South Main St., was one of about 35 Bradford residents who attended last week's MassHighway briefing.
Berg, 81, is an avid walker and has been especially critical of the state's long delay in rebuilding the roads and sidewalks near her home.
"I let them have it," she said. "I'm totally disgusted it has taken so long. The plan they showed at the meeting looks fine, but I don't trust them to do what they say."
Berg said she has lived at the corner of Franzone Drive for 23 years.
"I like to walk up and down the street for exercise, and to the bowling alley at Academy Lanes Plaza," she said. "But you're taking your life in your hands to walk on South Main Street. The sidewalks and curbing are a mess and a disgrace. It's like a war zone. Nothing has been done in decades. If you're walking, you're basically in the road."
Fiorentini said he is pressing the state to make sure the project preserves the historic feel of Bradford — especially the Bradford Square business district.
Berg said that would be great, but it's not her priority.
"I just want some sidewalks," she said. "And if they can do something to improve the traffic so people can get out of their driveways, that's fine, too."
Peter Carbone, who lives in Bradford and owns EZ Way Cleaners in Bradford Square, also attended last week's meeting. He said he was also at the previous one the state hosted on the project — nine years ago.
Carbone said most people at last week's meeting were happy with what they saw and heard, with the exception of the state's decision not to install a full traffic light across from Academy Lanes Plaza.
There is currently a crosswalk in front of the plaza, across from the large Forest Acres housing development where many children live. Instead of a full traffic light, MassHighway is planning to build a pedestrian light there, which would be activated by a button on the light pole.
"People also wanted to see the crosswalk right at Forest Acres, because that's where most of the kids cross the street," Carbone said. "But the state said no for safety reasons."
The new crosswalk and pedestrian light are planned about 10 to 20 feet from the housing complex, Fiorentini said.
Full traffic lights are also planned on Route 125 in Bradford Square and at Middlesex Street, Bradford Common, Kingsbury Avenue, Laurel Avenue at the Bradford fire station and in front of DiBurro's function hall in Ward Hill. Currently, there are pedestrian lights at Laurel Avenue and Bradford Square, and nothing at the Middlesex Street intersection.
"The main driver of the project is wear and tear on the road and improved safety," Fiorentini said. "But I also want the historic feel of Bradford Square to be maintained. To only repave the street after waiting all these years makes it a paving project only, not a restoration project, which is what it should be."
The mayor said the original project did not include any new trees, but he convinced the state to commit to planting at least 150 along the stretch. He also wants the project to include improvements to Basiliere Bridge, including period lighting and restoring the historic lighthouse.
"It would be a great beacon for the city," Fiorentini said of the lighthouse.
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