LAWRENCE — Remember to look both ways when crossing Essex Street.
That was the advice of a beaming Mayor Michael Sullivan as Essex Street reopened to two-way traffic yesterday morning after a hiatus of exactly 30 years to the day.
"This is a wonderful day for everyone in the city of Lawrence," he said.
There were cheers and smiles up and down both sides of Essex Street as Sullivan, sitting in the back of a baby blue 1959 Ford Fairlane convertible, led a motorcade of police cruisers, firetrucks, ambulances, public works trucks and a trolley full of local dignitaries up the eastbound side of Essex Street.
It was the first traffic on that side of Essex Street, running from Broadway to Union Street, since June 25, 1978, when the city decided to make the street one-way.
That closure unfortunately coincided with the emergence of shopping malls in the region. Slowly, the economy of Essex Street, known for its bustling shops, department stores and restaurants, faltered.
City and business leaders hope the two-way traffic will pump up Essex Street business again.
"It's truly a historic day," said Tom Schiavone, the city's chief economic development director.
There are now two lanes of westbound traffic, heading toward Broadway (Route 28), and a single lane running back toward Union Street. Thirty new crosswalks along the street are emblazoned in a brick-red color similar to the sidewalks.
While some remember two-way traffic on Essex Street, others were watching it for the first time.
"I was surprised with how smooth it was going," said Nora Carroll, 28, Sullivan's secretary. "For me, I have to remember to look both ways now. As funny as that may sound."
Realizing it's a big change for both drivers and pedestrians, police Chief John Romero said additional police officers will be posted on the street for at least the next week.
"There will be confusion and we'll have officers out there," Romero said.
The city used $1 million from a state community development action grant for the Essex Street improvements, which included restoring the street to two-way traffic and installing new street signs, banners, trash bins, bike racks, benches and crosswalks.
The Essex Street project was done ahead of schedule and came in just a tick under budget, leaders said.
The project is just part of $250 million in public improvements in Lawrence over the past several years. A new high school was built, City Hall was repaired, Veterans Memorial Stadium was restored, and a new water treatment plant was built as part of those plans, Schiavone said.
Along the way, private development has followed, including new housing and retail establishments in former mill sites. But the continued recipe for success required the traffic change on Essex Street, Schiavone said.
Local and state leaders yesterday said they look forward to shopping on Essex Street again. Rep. William Lantigua, D-Lawrence, said it was great to be part of a positive history in the city.
"It's a new beginning and a continuation of what we've been doing in Lawrence the past few years," he said yesterday morning during a reception in the sunny courtyard at the Lawrence History Center at 6 Essex St.
State Rep. David Torrisi, D-Andover, rode in the Ford Fairlane with Sullivan yesterday morning. He recalled Essex Street as "an economic mecca of the past."
"We need to see that come back, for those businesses to prosper," Torrisi said.
City councilors Roger Twomey, Nick Kolofoles, Frank Moran and Jorge Gonzalez also spoke of the success of the project and their hope for the future there.
Twomey, looking at two-way traffic, said, "It brings back a lot of memories."
