W. Lynn detours: Traffic in turmoil

LYNN – Residents who live in or commute through West Lynn can expect heavy traffic and delays in some areas this week as the Department of Public Works continues a citywide street resurfacing project.DPW Deputy Commissioner Manny Alcantara said Monday that the DPW would be resurfacing Holyoke Street and the surrounding area, including Walnut and Myrtle streets, this week and that there would be occasional traffic detours.Traffic was additionally backed up Monday morning as a tractor-trailer truck took down some low hanging wires after being detoured down Walnut Street from Holyoke Street, a problem that was addressed by local police and National Grid workers.The project is one of between 15-20 street resurfacing projects in line for the DPW, which funds the efforts through Chapter 90 local aid money.”It is called a pavement management system to help us repave the streets that need it every year ward by ward,” said Alcantara. “We have more projects in the works – we will be resurfacing about 15-20 streets this year.”Responding to quiet complaints from some residents that the project disturbs the neighborhoods, Alcantara said signs are clearly posted on the streets the week leading up to the start of the resurfacing letting residents know they cannot park on the street during certain hours.”We try very hard to accommodate the residents if they have any concerns,” he said. “We try and post the signs the week before the construction, and residents can call us here at the DPW for more details if they have questions.”Along with resurfacing the streets, Alcantara said the DPW is using Chapter 90 money to re-paint crosswalks in some neighborhoods just in time for students to head back to school.