7 April, 2023
Town Manager Norman Khumalo and Town Engineer Dave Daltorio are pleased to share that the final season of construction for the Main Street Corridor Project is underway.
Construction resumed for the spring season on March 17, which is the start of the third and final construction season for the project. Construction began in March 2021, and is expected to end on schedule this fall.
"We are greatly looking forward to the completion of this project and the positive impact it will have on the revitalization of our historic downtown area, as well as the convenience of visiting the Main Street area," Town Manager Khumalo said. "We also understand the disruption the construction has caused for businesses and their customers, as well as residents and motorists in the area, and we appreciate the patience and cooperation of the community as we have carried out this work."
Overall, the Main Street Corridor Project will improve roadway safety for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians traveling through the area, and will ease access to Main Street businesses.
As the project nears its end in the coming months, work will focus on East Main Street, toward the Town Common.
No construction work is planned for the two weeks prior to the Boston Marathon, which will take place Monday, April 17, and all equipment will be removed from Marathon Way prior to the marathon. Paving work and temporary line striping has been completed on the east side of the project in preparation for the 2023 Boston Marathon, and sod has also been laid.
Throughout the remainder of the spring season, full excavation and reconstruction will take place on the east side of the project. As construction work concludes, street lighting, traffic signals, bike lanes and sidewalks will be set in place, and landscaping will be completed along the stretch of the project.
At the conclusion of the project, completed work will have included full-depth roadway reconstruction and resurfacing, the implementation of separated bicycle lanes, new sidewalk construction, the realignment of Grove Street, and overall enhanced bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. Additionally, upgrades will have been made to traffic signal systems, drainage systems, overhead utilities and landscaping.
"The project results in several upgrades that will strengthen the infrastructure of the downtown area for years to come," Daltorio said. "We are pleased that the project is expected to be completed on schedule, and we would like to express our appreciation to everyone who has been involved in the project planning, logistics and construction since it began a couple years ago."
About the Main Street Corridor Project
The purpose of the Main Street Corridor Project is to improve roadway safety for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as to reduce congestion throughout Hopkinton’s downtown corridor. The project area affects Main Street from just west of Wood Street to Ash Street, a distance of 0.83 miles and includes the downtown commercial area and the historic Town Common.
Construction operations paused for the winter season on Dec. 22, 2022. Phase 1 and 2 of the Main Street reconstruction were completed prior to the winter season. These phases focused on the area from West Main Street to the intersection of Main Street (Route 135) and Grove Street (Route 85), near the Hopkinton Fire Department. The work included full-depth excavation of those sections of Main Street and the installation of two of the three final paving courses.
Community members are reminded that the spring construction schedule may change due to weather and other conditional factors. Working hours for construction operations remain from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and may impact traffic, sidewalks, driveways and business entrances. For the most up to date information about the Main Street Corridor project, please visit the Town's project website at hopkintonmainstreet.com.
Anyone with questions about the project or construction operations is encouraged to contact Michelle Murdock at mmurdock@hopkintonma.gov or 339-223-5377.
