THE TEMPORARY traffic lights erected at the intersection of Central and Park Streets become fully activated as of today. This is the view of the intersection heading north on Central Street. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — The Department of Public Works anticipates fully activating the temporary traffic signal lights at Park and Central Streets this morning, Thursday, July 6.
The DPW will also close Chestnut Street at the Ipswich River culvert today.
For the past week, based on the recommendation of the town’s consulting engineers, the temporary signal lights at Park and Central Streets were set to “flash” mode through Wednesday, July 5 to give motorists ample opportunities to become aware of them, with a flashing yellow signal facing Park Street and a flashing red signal facing Central Street.
Additionally, signage advising motorists of the closure of Chestnut Street at the Ipswich River is being installed in the immediate area and on approaching roadways.
As a further deterrent to through-traffic passing through the area, barricades will be installed at the intersection of Chestnut and Park Streets (Route 62) and immediately southeast of the culvert on Chestnut Street upon the closure of the Ipswich River culvert. This means that traffic will not be able to access Chestnut Street from Park Street (Route 62) or Park Street (Route 62) from Chestnut Street.
Chestnut Street – from Central Street to the Ipswich River – will be open to local traffic only, including vehicles seeking to access Maguire Field, Moynihan Lumber, the Department of Public Works and Reading Municipal Light Department facilities, and house numbers 146 to 185.
KidSpot at Maguire Field is currently under construction and is closed to the public.
Motorists will be able to access both Ipswich River Park and the Recreation Center at 15 Central St. when approaching the area from New Street/Haverhill Street or Chestnut Street by turning right onto Central Street prior to the barricade.
Traffic seeking to travel through the area, including north/west to Route 62 (Park Street) from Haverhill Street, or south/east to Haverhill Street from Route 62 (Park Street), are advised to seek an alternate route and avoid the area altogether if possible.
To ensure the safety of the public, the road will remain closed to through traffic and the temporary traffic signals will remain in use until a new bridge is constructed over the river to replace the failed culverts. On June 12, Town Meeting voters allotted about $300,000 for plans to be engineered for this project which, if approved by Town Meeting next year, the Capital Improvement Planning Committee estimates will be put out to bid in FY25 at a cost of about $3.5 million.