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Merrimac Town Square Construction Project Nearing Completion

mpdpatchMerrimac Police Department
Eric M. Shears, Chief of Police
16 East Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860

For Immediate Release

Monday, August 3, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

Merrimac Town Square Construction Project Nearing Completion

New Rotary and Water Main Improve Traffic, Safety and Quality of Life for Residents

MERRIMAC – Police Chief Eric M. Shears is pleased to announce that the Town Square Construction Project is nearing completion, several months ahead of schedule. The finished product includes a new rotary design, water main and sidewalks that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Town of Merrimac redesigned a portion of the downtown area to create a rotary encompassing East and West Main Streets, Church Street and School Street that rectifies several inadequacies in safety and traffic flow.

merrimacrotary

Prior to the rotary, there was only one stop sign on Church Street, and vehicles were often backing out from business onto the highway. The new $6 million layout is funded entirely by MassDOT.

“Our hope is that this will minimize traffic accidents and increase safety in the area,” Chief Shears said. “We ask that residents take extra precautions while driving through the rotary during the transition period.”

Officials also replaced an over 100-year water main on Route 110 that improves water flow to residents and for the fire department during emergencies. The $880,000 endeavor also incorporates 13 new fire hydrants.

The project includes approximately 2,500 feet of ADA compliant sidewalk. Work on the area began one year ago.

DPW Director Bob Sinibaldi expects construction to be completed within two weeks, with final paving to occur in September. This puts the work six to seven months ahead of schedule.

As residents adjust to the rotary, Chief Shears and Sinibaldi would like to remind drivers of the proper and safest way to travel. Operators in the rotary have the right of way. Those on Route 110 must yield to traffic.

“This is a much more effective and clean design for the downtown, but we recognize there is going to be a learning curve,” Sinibaldi said. “If motorists use patience and courtesy, it should be a relatively painless process.”

The Town Square Construction Project has been in the works for 12 years. During multiple public hearings and town meetings several designs were discussed. Input from residents led the town to select the rotary as opposed to adding traffic lights to the intersection.

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