Summer Construction Paving Way For Better Newton Roads

NEWTON, MA — It's no secret to those who travel Newton's roads each day that many of them have been in rough shape for a long time. Potholes, frost heaves and general wear and tear have taken a toll in turning countless routes through the city into bumpy rides. But, with 8.5 miles of repaving work already completed this year and an additional 6.3 miles planned in the upcoming months, the hope is it will be much smoother sailing ahead for residents and commuters.

"We've really stepped up our coordination efforts to be able to get projects done in more of a timely matter and get them finished more on schedule," said Newton Construction Coordinator Terry Crowley. "The weather has been pretty good so that's definitely helped as well. We are doing a ton of work and our residents are seeing us do it. We ask for everyone's cooperation. Construction is messy. But when it's finished, we think people will be happy with it."

Current paving projects include work in conjunction with the Cabot School Project paving from Cabot Street from Centre Street to Walnut Street and building Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalks and ramps, paving Commonwealth Avenue from Washington Street to Route 128, and paving on Commonwealth Avenue from Fuller Street to Chestnut Street.

Later this summer, repaving is slated to take place from Hammond Street and Dedham Street to the city line with Brookline.

The city is also doing work at Christina Street, Oak Street and Needham Street to align the intersections. That work is expected to extend to the end of the summer and will result in some lane closures.

"It will improve the intersection and make it more pedestrian-friendly with new signage, crosswalks and an accessibility ramp," Crowley said.

Weekly updates are posted on the city's website along with an interactive map of work being done.

Crowley said city officials meet with representatives from National Grid, Eversource and Verizon on a monthly basis to help ensure that projects are being done as efficiently, and with as little disruption to traffic and neighborhoods, as possible.

"There are emergency utility things that happen at times that we can't control," she said. "But our coordination efforts with them have vastly improved."

She added the goal of all projects is to make Newton a safer and easier place to navigate.

"We are always looking to improve public safety, improve traffic flow and improve the condition of the roads," she said.