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Department of Public Works
Construction Project Updates
Construction in Ashland is certainly underway! See the following updates for construction projects around town.
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David Mindess School Construction Updates
January 18, 2022
Crews will continue excavating and exporting materials off site this week. You can expect to see the same traffic levels as prior weeks.
Blasting
Blasting operations will begin this week. Equipment will be delivered Wednesday 1/19. As previously mentioned, the plan would call for up to 2 blasts each day. The established blasting windows are between 11:10am and 11:50am (during lunches), and between 2:30pm and 3:30pm after dismissal. Blasting will not create much noise but vibrations will most likely be felt. Blasting will most likely occur for 30 days or so. If you would like to be notified (via text, call, or E-mail) 30 minutes prior to the blast, you can call Esta with Maine Drilling and Blasting at 508-478-0273.
Rock Breaking & Crushing
Rock breaking will continue to cause noise as crews proceed with this activity. While still loud, and with little that can be done to reduce the volume, the team has been working on ways to mitigate the impact. The contractor has built a rock berm (long pile) to the south side of the rock pile. The berm, along with the installation of the trailers, help by deflecting the sound up and over these barriers. While not substantially decreasing the volume, this will hopefully take the harsh (concussive) edge off the noise. Additionally, the contractor has been, to the extent possible, starting the morning breaking rock further into the site along the hillside. A start date for crushing has not been set. We will send an update when that information is available.
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Route 126/ Pond Street Revitalization Project & Downtown Revitalization Project
Crews continue to work on the Route 126/ Pond Street Revitalization Project and on the Downtown Revitalization Project. As traffic is significantly impacted around town, please give yourself extra time to get where you are going, and be patient. Crews are doing the best they can to get you through quickly and safely. Remember, all businesses are open during construction.
January 18, 2022
Rt. 126/ Pond Street Construction
Eversource Electric is scheduled to install poles and framing starting the week of 1/17. There are 8 to 10 poles to be installed. This work will take approximately 5‐6 weeks to complete according to the work order.
Northern Construction has begun the winter shut down. Northern Construction will return when the weather gets warm to continue drainage work and full‐depth reconstruction.
Downtown Construction
Crews will finalize work on lighting conduit along south side of Front Street and then move on to the north side installing comcast conduit and light bases this week. Traffic should not be impacted too much. Please use caution through this area.
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Alternative Routes to 126/ Pond Street
We understand traveling along Rt. 126 is not always feasible. Here is a map, to illustrate two roads, Cedar Street, and Western Avenue, which run parallel to Rt. 126. These roads can help you reach a destination outside of town. We hope this helps!
Sign up for our e-mailed construction update newsletter
The Route 126/Pond Street revitalization project has begun. The Town of Ashland is working closely with the State to bring you the most up-to-date information in regards to construction. The team meets weekly and is working hard to keep the project on track and you informed. Sign up here
Downtown Construction Updates
This project has begun. The Town of Ashland is working closely strives to provide the most up-to-date information in regards to construction. The team meets weekly and is working hard to keep the project on track and you informed. Sign up here
We will continue to share project updates here, on the Town of Ashland website, in our newsletters (mentioned above), and through our social media channels- Facebook and Instagram @TownofAshlandMA, Twitter @ashlandmass.
