DCR project calls for bird station along Nahant Causeway

NAHANT – The Causeway could become a haven for birding enthusiasts if a proposed Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) project is approved.The project would redesign the Nahant Causeway with the most dramatic change being the addition of a birding station.The plan calls for narrowing the Nahant Causeway to one lane at the midway point on the inbound side from Lynn to Nahant for building a bird observation area and a crosswalk in the middle of Causeway.Calls to the DCR requesting information on the project were not returned on Monday but Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) said the state appropriated approximately $10 million for the project in 1999.”I was a state representative at the time,” he said. “We got the appropriation approved over the Governor’s veto. It’s exciting to see this project moving forward.”McGee said the project does not tackle the Lynn/Nahant Rotary but it addresses the entire length of the Nahant causeway.”At this point the design and engineering plans are really moving forward,” he said. “This project will enhance the entrance to town. It will add a real walkway from Nahant to the Halfway House (in the middle of Long Beach) and some dune restoration.”Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan said the state would like to begin construction on the proposed project in spring of 2009.