Revere beach work nearing completion

REVERE – State road contractors will finish major reconstruction of Revere Beach Boulevard before Christmas, even as they finalize plans for Short Beach improvements.The Boulevard reconstruction could be completed as soon as two weeks with workers opening traffic in both directions after they paint lane markings and install traffic signs.Traffic and parking along the beach north of Revere Street has been restricted during the year while workers rebuild the roadway and sidewalk and make other improvements.The project reconfigured parking along the beach between Carey Circle and Revere Street from angle to parallel parking, reducing the number of spaces from 800 to 550.The beachfront has a total of 1,650 spaces between Eliot and Carey circles but state conservation and recreation officials are counting on developments planned along the beach to add 900 off-street parking spaces available for public use.”They’ll be available for commuters on weekdays and anybody on the weekends,” Conservation and Recreation spokeswoman Wendy Fox said.Ocean Club developer Steven Fustolo in October blamed delays in the start of his project at 449 Revere Beach Boulevard on the reconstruction work.He said construction of the 12-story residential complex will start this month. Fustolo plans to build 242 condominiums, while Boston based developer Eurovest wants to make a hotel the centerpiece of the first phase of its giant development near Wonderland station.A third major development proposed by Richard Clayman at 320-328 Boulevard tentatively includes 172 condominiums plus parking.Work planned for Short Beach straddling the Revere-Winthrop line includes rebuilding the seawall and the ramp leading to the beach and widening the sidewalk. Off-street parking will be built next to the Belle Isle Marsh trailhead.Fox said the $2.5 million project is slated to start in late winter or spring.