Last summer, residents in the Fenway endured construction zones, water shut-offs and additional traffic when Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) replaced the water main throughout the neighborhood.
Now, that the spring has come, restoration to the sidewalks, roadways and green spaces are expected to start mid-June, with construction taking about 10 to 14 days per street. Letters to home owners in the area will be sent out two weeks before construction is expected to begin with notice to move cars the night before.
The announcement came during a public meeting on Monday, May 21, at the Fenway Community Center, put on by State Rep. Chynah Tyler and BWSC representatives.
The purpose of this project was to upgrade the water, sewer and drainage systems within Brookline Avenue from Riverway to Fenway.
The work under this contract included the replacement of 3,640 feet of water mains, replacement of 1,355 feet of sewer pipes, rehabilitation of 1,320 feet of sewer and drain pipes, and installation of temporary water bypass for customers with connection on Brookline Avenue.
Construction for the project ended by last November, but repaving of the sidewalks and roads and restoration to the green spaces were held over until this spring.
It wasn’t only BWSC doing work along the roadways. National Grid followed their construction along the same route, but in the opposite direction in an effort to fix gas leaks that have been killing some trees in the area.
But with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation (DCR) owning the green areas breaking up the roads, and BWSC doing construction, followed by work by National Grid, it is making it difficult to point to who is responsible for fixing what.
“If it is us, we’ll take care of it,” said a project manager for BWSC.
After everyone has gone through and done their work, BWSC will return to do a quick survey to see if they need to do any more work.
Residents voiced concern that it might be too late already to restore the grass because a lot of foot traffic is expected from upcoming Red Sox games and other summer activities.
Regardless if the seeds take or not, it is up to DCR to determine if what they restored is up to standard or not. If they need to come back and redo it, BWSC will have to.
In addition, BWSC representative said they hope to do the whole re-pavement of Hemenway Street, that also had a lot of repair work done last year, this upcoming June.
A resident asked if anyone was coordinating between all the agencies involved, and Tyler replied, “That’s the question of the century.
“There are a lot of quasi-relationships and no one e-mail chain where everyone is all on,” said Tyler. “It is up to the elected officials to act as liaisons on this.”
For updates and more information on the project visit BWSC.org.