Information signs are now up warning drivers to find alternate routes since work will begin on 7/09/07 and additional signs remind drivers that fines are doubled in work zones. It is important to note that MassHighway does not plan to close any section of Route 12 during the project but there may be temporary closures on side streets and, as a result, detours of traffic accessing Route 12. Businesses along the route will remain open. Please continue to support your favorite establishments along Route 12 during the construction process.

While the 9th of July is over a week away, work has clearly begun around the Bemis Road intersection.  Officials from MassHighway have informed the Chamber that the Bemis Road intersection will be the focus of initial project construction over the next four to six weeks, stretching ¼ mile from Bemis Road along Route 12 on the left side of the street heading towards Leominster.  Clearing, drainage, and widening work will commence along with leveling of now MassHighway owned buildings near that part of the construction route.  Devlin Passway will be impacted by the initial construction.  Stay tuned for regular updates throughout the project’s two-year construction period.

Bemis Road is expected to be closed for a few-block chunk east of Route 12 for the next month, according to a superintendent with the contractor, A.F. Amorello & Sons.  The contractor plans to keep two lanes of traffic flowing on Route 12 for the whole summer.  Currently drivers traveling on Bemis Road towards Route 12 are detoured either left onto Airport Road and then a right onto Benson Street OR right onto Duck Mill Road which meets up with Route 12 just beyond the Bemis and Wanoosnoc intersection.  Stay tuned for regular updates on the project.

During the next week A. F. Amorello & Sons is scheduled to continue work on the grading/fill at the Rte 12 and Bemis Road intersection.  The construction company will also be conducting drainage work at Rte 12 and Abbott Avenue.  In addition, Amorello will be completing the retaining wall at Bemis Road and Devlin Passway.  Most of the work at the Bemis intersection is expected to be complete by the end of the month – just in time for the start of the school year.

Over the next week A. F. Amorello & Sons is scheduled to work on the sub-base, Hot Mix Asphalt base and binder at the Route 12 and Bemis Road intersection. Amorello will also be working on the retaining wall across from Benson Street on Route 12. In addition, Amorello will be doing some concrete sidewalks on Route 12 from Benson Street to Bemis Road.

The Chamber, among others, asked appropriate parties to adjust the timing of the light at the Bemis Road intersection.  Complaints of traffic backing up on Route 12 while an empty Wanoosnoc Road had a lengthy green light were duly noted and last week, MassHighway informed us that Traffic Systems, a subcontractor handling signal work on the project, was able to shorten the length of the green light on Wanoosnoc Rd. and lengthen the green light on Water St. North & South bound.  Traffic appears to be flowing more smoothly since the recommended adjustment.

Work continues at a steady pace at the Bemis Road intersection.  At the present time A. F. Amorello & Sons (Amorello) is scheduled to work on the granite curbing, concrete sidewalks, hot mix asphalt driveways, guardrail, and temporary pavement markings at the Route 12 and Bemis Road Intersection for the rest of this week.

After the completion of the above work and the completion of the above ground utilities the intersection will be reopened.  This could happen as early as the end of this week.  Traffic appears to be moving smoothly despite increased activity from the opening of schools and the return of college students. 

MassHighway has been very responsive to business inquiries so if you have any questions contact Jessica at the Chamber and she will get in touch with appropriate parties to get your answer.

At the present time A. F. Amorello & Sons (Amorello) is scheduled to work through September 28th on the granite curbing, concrete sidewalks, hot mix asphalt driveways, guardrail, and temporary pavement markings at the Route 12 and Bemis Road Intersection, and from Bemis Road to Benson Street on the left side.  In addition, Amorello will be working on the concrete retaining wall and widening at the intersection of Route 12 and Wanoosnoc Road.

There is no indication as to when the Bemis Road intersection will open at this time.

At the present time A. F. Amorello & Sons (Amorello) is scheduled to work the next two weeks on the widening on Wanoosnoc Road,  Hot Mix Asphalt driveways on Bemis Road, and the concrete retaining wall at the intersection of Route 12 and Wanoosnoc Road.  In addition, Amorello will be working on the drainage from Wanoosnoc Road to Benson Street.

Sidewalks are complete from Bemis to Benson on the left side (heading South on Route 12).  The opening of the Bemis Road intersection is still unknown and is dependent upon utility work. 

On Tuesday (October 9, 2007) Amorello will be doing a lane shift from Bemis Road to
Benson Street.  This will move traffic to the new granite curbing and sidewalk side of Route 12.  This shift will allow Amorello to proceed with work on the right side (heading south) of Route 12, which includes granite curbing and new sidewalks.

In addition, Amorello will be doing the pavement markings for Bemis Road.  

A. F. Amorello & Sons (Amorello) is scheduled to continue working on the widening on Route 12 from Wanoosnoc Road to Benson Street.  This widening consists of excavation, retaining wall construction, granite curbing, concrete sidewalks, and hot mix asphalt pavement.

In addition, Amorello is scheduled to begin the full depth pavement section from Benson Street to Nichols Street

The Bemis Road intersection is officially OPEN!!!!!  However, detours are still a part of the daily commute along the construction route.  Southbound on Route 12, drivers are being detoured onto Abbott Ave since the right side of the road is under construction between Benson and Nichols Streets.  Nevertheless, traffic is flowing more smoothly with the major intersection of Bemis and Wanoosnoc having re-opened.  Stay tuned for more updates or contact Jessica with any project inquiries.

11/19/07 to 11/30/07 At the present time A. F. Amorello & Sons (Amorello) is scheduled to continue working on the widening on Route 12 from Wanoosnoc Road to Benson Street.  This widening consists of excavation, retaining wall construction, granite curbing, concrete sidewalks, and hot mix asphalt pavement.  Amorello will also continue working on the full depth pavement section from Benson Street to Nichols Street.

11/27/07 & 11/28/07 Amorello will be doing the asphalt pavement excavation by milling from Bemis Road to Benson Street. 

The hot mix asphalt (binder) layer is scheduled to be completed from Bemis Road to Nichols Street by December 7, 2007.

With winter clearly upon us the Route 12 project is slowing down for the season.  The hot mix asphalt layer has been completed from Bemis Road to Nichols Street, including Carey Street and Old Leominster Road, with only temporary striping left to do.  In some places temporary asphalt sidewalks have been put in for the winter as it had become too cold to pour concrete.  Some signal work may still be completed in upcoming months but road construction will not resume until spring.  If you have any questions or concerns contact Jessica at (978) 353-7600 extension 241