Friday, January 27, 2012

More Than 11 Miles of Braintree Roads Upgraded in 2011

The second phase of Braintree's 100 Roads Program kicked off in May 2011 with a goal of 107 roads, on top of the 116 completed during the first phase.

By Joseph Markman

Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan has announced that more than 11 miles of roadways in Braintree received an upgrade during 2011.

“The first year of our second ‘100 Roads Program’ is off to a great start," Sullivan said. "Four years into a six year program we have either reconstructed or resurfaced over 150 roads including 47 this past year for a total mileage of nearly 34 miles.

“I am grateful to the entire Public Works Department led by Tom Whalen, as well as Town Engineer Bob Campbell and his staff for the work they have accomplished.”

The Mayor began the construction season in the Liberty Heights neighborhood, which includes Christina, Fox Hill and Oak Ledge Drives, where he held a neighborhood meeting to discuss the total reconstruction of the streets and sidewalks on those three roads.

The Liberty Heights neighborhood was developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s and the streets and sidewalks had not received serious attention since then. Additionally, neighborhood meetings on Jefferson Street, in the Lakeview/Sumner Ave. area as well as the Elmlawn Road neighborhood were held to update residents on their streets.

“Neighborhood meetings prior to the work and during the project are important for the community and to keep the contractor on time towards completion," Sullivan said.

He also noted the increased involvement of MassDOT to repave several state roads in Braintree.

“Over the past few years as we have planned our roadway projects and sought resident input, many had asked why roads like Grove and Plain Streets have not received attention," Sullivan said. "Because of the work of Representative Mark Cusack, Senators John Keenan and Brian Joyce as well as Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey, we were finally able to give these state roads the work they needed.”

Union Street and the Union Street Rotary as well as the new MBTA “Blue Bridge” were also coordinated between the Town and State.

The Mayor also spoke of the years ahead, saying, “2012 will be another busy year for roadway improvements in Braintree. We will see work in several neighborhoods in many corners of the town. I can only ask for patience as it is our goal to assure that every road in Braintree eventually sees attention. After years of inaction the work of upgrading our roads is an assignment that I take seriously.”

–Mayor's Office