Lack of signage concern in Saugus as bridge work nears

SAUGUS – According to the state’s Highway Department the planned repairs to the Belden Bly Bridge are on track to begin Dec. 15 but signs for detours and businesses remaining open, are nowhere to be seen.
Selectman Stephen Horlick raised the issue of signage during last week’s board meeting.
“They said they would start signage at least 30-days in advance,” he said. “If they’re still on the December (schedule) it’s getting late and I’ve seen nothing so far.”
When residents and business owners in the Route 107 area met with highway officials in September they were assured there would be plenty of signage not only warning people the repairs were coming, but what the detours would be and that businesses would still be open while the repairs were being made.
With roughly 20 days until construction is slated to begin there are no signs.
Klark Jessen, director of communications for the Executive Office of Transportation confirmed the repair job is still on track for mid December.
“But I don’t know anything about any signs,” he said.
The concern is that repairs, which will shut down Route 107 at the Bly Bridge, will begin with no warning.
Jessen said the state is still working out the details of the detours but it has been said they would include Summer, Boston and Ballard streets.
Local business owners were more concerned the signage has reminders that local businesses were open.
Joe Russo of Russo Transmissions on Western Avenue said he relies on passing traffic for much of his business and the closure would have a big impact on him and others such as Stoneham Boat Centers.
The temporary repairs to the bridge are expected to last until March and will cost about $2.5 million. Once the Belden Bly Bridge is stabilized work will begin, according to Jessen, as early as this spring on a temporary bridge. Once the temporary bridge is in place a permanent bridge will be started. The entire project is expected to last between seven and eight years and cost roughly $13.6 million.
Horlick said he realizes there is no way around the lengthy bridge problems but he would like to see a little help.
“I’m just looking for an official communication on when they will be starting work,” he said. “It will be right before the holidays and it will be tough. They said they would put up signs all the way out to Route 1 and I haven’t seen a single one.”