Franklin St. reconstruction postponed
Published on September 22nd, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Stoneham is off the Metropolitan Planning Organization's Transportation Improvement Program (T.I.P.) list; the state withdrew an offer of $1.7 million to reconstruct Franklin Street.
"We can't go forward without the money," Town Engineer Bob Grover said at the Sept. 14 selectmen meeting.
According to Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, the state now classifies the Franklin Street project as "medium priority." This means something might happen in 2000, Nutting told selectmen.
"Does this mean the project is dead," asked Franklin Street resident John DeGeorge.
Grover said the design phase of the project will continue. The town is paying for this phase.
"If we get the $1.7 million, we will be ready to go," Grover said. "The design is already 75 percent complete."
Nutting is speaking with state officials about putting the town back on the high priority track.
"We haven't had one of these T.I.P. streets in 30 years," Nutting said. "It's Stoneham's turn."
The proposed reconstruction would include repaving the street, adjusting drainage where necessary, adding concrete sidewalks and granite curbs, installing traffic signals, and constructing extra lanes for safer, more efficient turning at strategically placed locations.
"Construction would take a year," Grover said.
DeGeorge asked Grover if citizen input would be reviewed before the design is finalized.
"I live in the area, and I know a lot about it," DeGeorge said in a separate discussion.
Grover said the town will review all information and hold another public hearing when the design phase is almost 100 percent complete.
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