AMHERST — Temporary traffic signals at the intersection of North Pleasant and Triangle streets, coupled with construction materials being placed on Kendrick Park, indicate that the full-scale development of a new roundabout at the northern end of downtown Amherst is nearing.
“Work is moving forward on it,” Town Manager Paul Bockelman said June 13.
While Warner Brothers of Sunderland was supposed to begin construction a few days after the University of Massachusetts commencement in early May, a remaining utility pole is posing issues. Both Comcast and Verizon are continuing to remove wires from that pole, Bockelman said.
Warner Brothers is delivering materials to Kendrick Park, but can’t bring its equipment to the site until all overhead utilities are out. Eversource already removed all of its overhead electric wires in that part of downtown.
Bockelman said town officials are anxious to have the work start and be completed before UMass begins its fall semester.
“There is a high urgency for it to be done during the summer,” he said.
The roundabout, originally pegged at around $1.1 million, is being paid for in part through a $1.5 million MassWorks grant, provided to underground the utility lines, and state Chapter 90 transportation money. The remaining work over the summer is expected to cost between $250,000 and $300,000.
Meanwhile, the temporary signals are ready to be activated, Bockelman said.
As part of their installation, where North Pleasant and Old North Pleasant streets meet has been widened to accommodate a larger flow of traffic, with Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority buses and other big vehicles more easily making the turn.
While the main intersection will rarely be completely closed during the project, the signals will help keep vehicles moving, Bockelman said.
The roundabout will be the fourth in Amherst. The others are at the intersection of Eastman Lane and North Pleasant Street, West Street and Bay Road, and West Street and West Bay Road.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.