Nahant officials pleased with Causeway presentation

NAHANT – Officials are confident public safety would not be jeopardized during the Nahant Causeway reconstruction project.The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) final plans for the $20 million Nahant Causeway rehabilitation project helped alleviate some public safety concerns regarding the expansive project, which is slated to get under way June 10 and is expected to last several years.At a presentation Wednesday evening, Mike Misslin, who is the acting chief engineer for the project, assured town officials and residents that two lanes of traffic in each direction would remain open throughout the project. Misslin explained plans call for closing two lanes in one direction and opening up the Nahant Beach Reservation parking lot to outbound traffic.Police Lt. Thomas Hutton said the majority of the concerns of public safety officials were alleviated by the presentation.”We feel a lot better about it after hearing the plans presented by the DCR engineers,” Hutton said. “Public safety is paramount in Nahant and needless to say we will be monitoring the situation closely. If a problem arises, corrective steps will be taken immediately.”Acting Fire Chief Edward Hyde agreed the plans as presented Wednesday evening appeared to be well thought out.”I don’t anticipate any problems at all,” he said. “All of our concerns have been met. We are working closely with the town administrator, project managers and the police department. We do not anticipate any delays getting emergency vehicles in and out of town.”Selectman Richard Lombard said the DCR explained the project well and he is confident public safety would not be at risk during the construction project.”The DCR will have two lanes of traffic open in both directions at all times during the project,” he said. “In a pinch we could use the sidewalk and bike path (along the beach) because that is wide enough to accommodate an ambulance. If we get jammed up we could close one side long enough for emergency vehicles to get through.”