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.

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.

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.

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.

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.