Despite hassles, 'Big Dig' on schedule

By Tim Forsberg
Posted 4/27/17

While some residents have been challenged with inconvenient route detours and longer travel times, work on the Narragansett Bay Commission's (NBC) sewer and water line extension project on Greenville Avenue continues on schedule. There"

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Despite hassles, 'Big Dig' on schedule

Posted

While some residents have been challenged with inconvenient route detours and longer travel times, work on the Narragansett Bay Commission’s (NBC) sewer and water line extension project on Greenville Avenue continues on schedule.

“There were some growing pains in the beginning, I think people are becoming more used to the detours,” said Jamie Samons, public affairs manager with the NBC. “We’re starting to hit a groove with construction, which is nice. Over the past couple of weeks we’ve managed to install 625 feet or so of water lines and about 150 feet or so of sewer lines.”

Construction crews ran into some massive boulders while digging, with one measuring 18 yards in length, but they did not require explosives to remove. Last Saturday was the first time crews worked during the weekend, a trend that will now continue for the duration of the project, which will run until next spring. Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with no blasting or mechanical rock removal to occur after 5 p.m.

According to Samons, construction crews finish around 5 or 6 p.m. each workday.

“They haven’t gone until 10 o’clock yet, but as we get into the deeper sections that’s when I believe they’ll go to two shifts with longer hours,” she said.

Construction work began two weeks ago just west of Smokey Drive and proceeded westward. By mid-to-late May, work crews will move to just east of Salina Avenue and work westward, potentially with two crews working simultaneously. The project is currently concentrated around the Route 295 area so that crews can soon begin work on building Greenville Avenue on and off ramps.

Some residents in and around the construction area have stated their concerns to their council representatives and have taken to social media to voice their frustrations about the project. While Greenville Avenue is open to local traffic, some areas are off limits to drivers because of construction safety issues, and a few area residents have stated that they felt misled about road access.

“They were told that they would have access to their homes, they weren’t misled, they were told that the road would be open, and it is open, but the problem is the public can be put in danger in the construction area,” said Mayor Joseph Polisena. “If they had to stop construction every time a car came through they’d be there for three years. I think it’s working out well. Hopefully we can get them out of there quickly.”

The mayor reiterated the benefits residents near the project will experience upon its completion, including increased property values, a newly repaved road, and lower costs to connect to sewer and water lines.

“People don’t want to go through detours, but we just have to be patient. They’re going to be working Saturdays, because I want them to get out of there. It’s a big job, there’s no doubt about it, but when they’re done there will be a new road curb to curb,” said Polisena. “Those people who have failing septic systems – and many do that we don’t know about – they’re going to be able to hook up to municipal water. All they have to pay for is the connection from their foundation to the street.”

Residents of Poppy Hill seem to be inconvenienced the most by construction, as they are currently closest to the work site and have the longest detours. Currently, they are not allowed to take a right hand turn out of their plat.

“I understand the confusion of the Poppy Hill residents. During the first few days there were some challenges involved in figuring out exactly who would be considered a local resident and who wouldn’t,” said Samons. “The folks in Poppy Hill have got it tough because they’re right there on the edge of the construction, but ultimately between DiGregorio, the mayor’s office and us, we decided to stick to the original plan, which was that only people who actually lived in the construction zone would be considered local traffic. I feel for the people who live in Poppy Hill, I know it’s an inconvenience for them but, ultimately, just for safety’s sake, we went with this detour plan.”

Samons added that the NBC will take different traffic pattern plans into consideration as work progresses to see if they can provide more access to people who live adjacent to the construction zone.

“Getting the project done and getting the project done safely are always the two things that are driving us,” she said.

Deputy Chief Daniel Parrillo said that the department hasn’t yet experienced any major traffic issues and that residents need time to get used to new traffic patterns. He stated that there’s a noticeable drop in traffic now at Atwood and Greenville Avenues and at Greenville and Brown Avenues. The police department hasn’t received any recent complaints, but they have fielded inquiries about directions and alternative routes. Parrillo also added that emergency vehicles, buses and garbage pickup trucks have had access to the area without incident.

“Everyone kind of knows the routine by now, so it’s going well,” he said.

Other residents have stated that they have been stopped multiple times at police checkpoints, where they have to prove that they are local residents. While suggestions of window stickers had been discussed, Parrillo stated there was little traction for the idea due to logistical and financial concerns. He also mentioned that work would soon move away from the current construction site, which may prompt different traffic patterns.

Additional concerns about storage of pipes at the Belknap School have been brought up, with some residents questioning the need to store dozens of pipes at the site and the disruption to the nearby parking lot.

“DiGregorio has done work in town before, and there have never been any issues with them leaving a mess after they leave. They make things as it was, if not better, when they leave, so I don’t have any concerns there,” said Deputy Chief Parrillo. “If that is brought up and there are any issues there afterwards, I have no doubt that they’ll rectify it.”

During the next two weeks, construction will continue in the same manner, with crews working from route 295 to the Citizens Campus entrance.

“So far so good, and as always, we’re so appreciative of the folks in Johnston, they’re being very respectful of the construction and very understanding,” said Samons.

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