$10M streetscape starts on Franklin; CSX improvement plans also include Plantation, Aitchison streets.

• Author: Kotsopoulos, Nick
• Position: Local

Byline: Nick Kotsopoulos

WORCESTER -- The city is gearing up for work on the final leg of the CSX freight yard expansion project, which calls for $10 million worth of streetscape improvements along Franklin, Plantation and Aitchison streets.

The work will be done over two constructions seasons, beginning this year on Franklin Street, from Grafton Street to Brown Square, according to Paul J. Moosey, commissioner of public works and parks.

In addition to resurfacing the streets, new granite curbing, concrete sidewalks and street lighting will be installed, and a large number of shade trees will be planted.

Also included is the widening of the Plantation Street bridge between Brown Square and Belmont Street. That is expected to be one of the last things done.

With the closing of Putnam Lane as part of the $100 million CSX freight yard expansion, one of the key mitigation efforts calls for widening that bridge by 4 to 6 feet. The purpose is to provide for a third lane of traffic and a left turn lane onto Aitchison Street, which runs into Shrewsbury Street.

Mr. Moosey said most of the streetscape work will be paid for by the state as part of a mitigation deal the city reached with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

He said there is "no wiggle room'' in the $10 million cost estimate and acknowledged that the city may end up having to subsidize a "small bit'' of the project.

"It's our intent to start with Franklin Street this year and do Plantation Street next year,'' Mr. Moosey recently told the City Council Public Works Committee. "We've asked the state not to move (on the Plantation Street bridge widening) until we finish the water and sewer work that needs to be done there. The last piece of this project will probably be the bridge.''

The project area includes Plantation Street, from Belmont Street to Brown Square and then through to Hamilton Street; Franklin Street, from Grafton Street to Brown Square; and the entire length of Aitchison Street, according to Russell Adams, assistant commissioner of engineering and architectural services for the Department of Public Works and Parks.

He said granite curbs will be installed on both sides of the streets and any existing damaged curbing will be replaced.

In addition, new concrete sidewalks will be built on both sides of Aitchison and Plantation streets, and only on the north side of Franklin Street.

Mr. Moosey said DPW officials originally wanted to have sidewalks on both sides of...