Swampscott paving project steaming along

SWAMPSCOTT-The first phase of the paving project is complete and the town is preparing a contract for the second phase of the work.Department of Public Works Director Gino Cresta said the work on Monument Avenue and Beach Bluff Avenue is complete. Cresta said the top two inches of pavement on both streets was ground off before it was repaved and the asphalt curbing was replaced in many areas.Cresta said the second phase of the project is for Eastman Avenue, Beach Avenue and New Ocean Street.?It already went out to bid,” he said. “We’re just waiting to sign the contract. Most asphalt plants close on Nov. 15 so we may have to wait until spring to get the work done.”As roadwork winds down, the DPW is gearing up for the winter season.Cresta said the DPW has front-end loaders, back hoes and 12 dump trucks, which all have plows ready for winter.?Most of our equipment is in pretty good shape,” he said. “Next month we’ll start working on them and getting them ready for the season.”Cresta said the town is divided into 14 plowing areas so, in addition to DPW crews, the town hires 14 contractors to cover the routes.?This way each road gets plowed twice,” he said. “It has worked well for us in the past and we are able to keep the roads pretty clear.”Cresta pointed out there wasn’t a lot of snow accumulation last winter, but the town depleted its supply of salt and sand nonetheless.?We were over budget on salt and sand,” he said. “There was a lot of ice on the roads. We spent a lot of time sanding and salting.”Cresta said the DPW is soliciting bids for sand and salt but the bids haven’t been received yet.?We can only hope for a mild winter,” he said.