Route 1 water main work keeping pace

SAUGUS – Gary LaBonte, superintendent for Albanese Brothers, Inc., said construction crews are about “30 percent” finished installing 18,000 feet of new water main on Route 1 south from the Walnut Street overpass to the Lynnfield line.The project is part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority?s plan to bury under the southbound lane 6,000 feet each of 24-inch and 26-inch water mains that feed Lynnfield while also replacing 6,000 feet of 12-inch pipes for Saugus customers.?That was originally in the works then the Town of Saugus hopped on,” said Department of Public Works Director Joe Attubato of the Lynnfield work. “We?re piggybacking off this project.”LaBonte said the project will increase water flow and service for businesses and homes along Route 1, which has been plagued by water main breaks due to the aging pipes.?They have some older, undersized lines so we?re putting in a 12-inch line for Saugus,” said LaBonte. “It?s more about an upgrade and a looping system to improve water flow and quality.”Town Manager Andrew Bisignani said the project is costing the town $2.1 million.But with a state supplemental budget waiting for Gov. Deval Patrick?s signature that will give Saugus an additional $2 million to replace water mains on Route 1 North, Bisignani said Saugus will see the majority of its water main woes disappear.?Between the two (projects) we?ll be around 95 percent done with our water main problems on Route 1,” said Bisignani. “It?s been long overdue.”LaBonte said crews generally install about 500 feet of MWRA line before backtracking to bring up the Saugus water main.Work on the project, which runs from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., is slated to be completed by January 2013.?Right now we?re working on the MWRA line,” said LaBonte, as a massive yellow excavator dug into the road. “The trench that you see out in the travel lane, that?s the authority?s line. Saugus is more in the shoulder of the roadway. We usually go a distance then fall back and bring up the Saugus line.”On a good day, Albanese president Oto Albanese said crews can lay as much as 140 feet of water main.But sometimes, on bad days, they can only manage a single, 20-foot length.?It varies,” said Albanese. “Sometimes there?s ledge or groundwater buried or other utilities.”For Albanese, working at night is all about safety, especially when cars race past workers at highway speeds.?Between the signs and the bumpers, we take all MassDOT safety precautions,” said Albanese. “It?s not bad after 10 p.m. Traffic really dies down. The number one thing is visibility, trying to get yourself to reflect in the middle of the night.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter @MattTempesta.