Officials tour unfinished Nahant Causeway project

NAHANT – When state and local officials met Friday at the Ward Bathhouse overlooking the causeway project?s abandoned construction site, Rep. Steve Walsh was the first to ask the question on everyone?s mind.?What?s next?”The meeting with Walsh, Sen. Thomas McGee, Town Administrator Andrew Bisignani, and Department of Conservation Commissioner Jack Murray and DCR engineers came after the officials received a flurry of emails from Nahant residents who were concerned over the halt in progress, especially with winter storms approaching.Almost two weeks after contracter Pihl Inc. walked off the job, Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Jack Murray confirmed the company had filed for protection from creditors under federal bankruptcy law, and the continuation of the project would be stalled until a bankruptcy court judge gives surety company AIG approval to choose a new contractor to complete the job.Murray said he hoped the process would only take a few weeks.?What we are asking for is a little bit of patience,” he said. “I understand the concern of the neighbors, but we need a little more time.”With the insurance company on the hook for the bonding of the project, DCR Deputy Chief Engineer Raul Silva said that it would add a sense of urgency to their dealings.?It?s in their best interest to correct it, finish it and complete the project as quickly as possible,” Silva assured the group.Murray and DCR Resident Engineer James Caputo estimated the causeway was about 95 percent done. Left to finish, reported Caputo, was the parking lot, especially its two entrances, the boat ramp and part of the road, with plantings planned for spring.?If we can get a contractor here in the next few weeks, we?ll hold to the schedule,” said Murray.To address Bisignani?s concern over damage caused during winter storms, Murray said in the event of a storm DCR would take “proactive measures immediately to ensure safety,” including removing rubble, barriers and sand if necessary.Caputo added that the causeway was “much more protected” for this winter than last, and he reminded the group it had survived Hurricane Sandy. DCR Coastal Ecologist Jorge Ayub said after inspection of the beach?s dunes, he saw “no immediate danger.”At the end of the meeting, McGee requested of the commissioner to have updates on the court?s proceedings from week to week, to which Murray agreed.?Up until this point, we?ve been very lucky because we?ve been on time,” said Murray. “This is a $17 million causeway project. We want to push it over the finish line like everyone else.”