By Anna L. Griffin Staff Reporter

FITCHBURG— Work on Route 12 will be the subject of a program at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, 860 South St. The program is open to the public. However, an outreach effort is being made to the businesses along the Route 12 corridor.

“We have members we’ve contacted, but we’re also trying to reach out to those businesses along the affected route,” said Jessica Strunkin, government affairs director for the NCMCC.

Because of space considerations, Ms. Strunkin is asking those who will be attending to reserve a spot no later than Friday, July 13. They can reserve a spot by calling (978) 353-7600, ext. 241, or by e-mail at strunkin@massweb.org.

“I think a lot of people have questions, now that the work is finally started,” Ms. Strunkin said.

Preliminary work was started last week, with major work getting under way this week. The heavily used road will remain open throughout the $7.5 million project, expected to be completed in the summer of 2009.

Improvements will include minor pavement widening along the Route 12 corridor to provide two 11-1/2 foot travel lanes and eight-foot shoulders, according to the MassHighway Web site. Intersection improvements will also be made at the junction of Route 12 and Bemis Road. This will include widening Route 12, realigning and widening Bemis Road, and the installation of new traffic signals.

Additionally, work will be done to Route 12 in Leominster. This will include minor pavement widening along the Route 12 corridor to provide two 11 1/2-foot travel lanes and eight-foot shoulders, adding auxiliary lanes on Route 12 at the Erdman Way intersection and upgrading the existing traffic signal at the intersection of Route 12 with Erdman Way. The work will also include new sidewalks and granite curbing on both sides of the roadway.

Ms. Strunkin said the chamber has been in favor of the proposal, as it feels it will help enhance the flow of traffic through the area. “We also want people to know this project qualified for supplemental federal money known as congestion mediation and air quality funding. This means this project will improve not only the traffic flow, but air quality in the region.”

On hand for the presentation will be Stephen Romano, the resident engineer; Dennis Monseau, area supervisor for MassHighway, and Mike Hartnett, an engineer in District 3, MassHighway.

“The most important message that we would like to get out is that the road is not closed during construction,” Ms. Strunkin said. “I think this is something we really want to impress upon people.”