SAUGUS — A series of pavement projects meant to improve roadway safety and traffic flow will be underway in Saugus starting July 27.
Portions of Forest Street, Vine Street, Walnut Street, Adams Avenue, Clinton Avenue, and Harmon Road, as well as the entirety of St. James Road, will undergo milling, overlay paving, roadway reclamation, and curbside replacements, according to Town Manager Scott Crabtree.
A statement provided by the Town Manager’s office Wednesday advised that parking in work zones is expected to be limited during construction, adding that traffic detours will be established as needed to allow for work completion.
“Ensuring and continuing to improve the functionality and safety of the town’s roadways has always been of critical importance to this administration,” Crabtree said. “Safe roadways improve traffic flow and reduce congestion and accidents, which will benefit town residents and visitors every day, making it easier for everyone to get where they need to be.”
Each year under the Crabtree administration, the town paves a series of roadways as part of its ongoing road paving plan. In 2019, Saugus paved Ballard Street, Forest Street, Elmwood Avenue, Fairmount Avenue, Adams Avenue, Orcutt Avenue, Stone Street, Lewis Street, and Landers Street.
The project will be overseen by the Department of Public Works and is expected to run through October.
“It’s a top priority of this Board of Selectmen and administration to continue to make important and beneficial improvements to our community’s infrastructure,” Crabtree said. “We are happy to continue to provide these services to our residents.”
Road safety has been a frequent topic of concern for the town in recent years.
Last July, more than 160 residents signed a petition urging the town to lower speed limits following multiple pedestrian accidents in 2018 and 2019.
In an effort to improve pedestrian safety last October, Saugus completed its $310,000 Highland Avenue sidewalk and pavement project — which included the paving of Highland Avenue and the installation of new concrete sidewalks with granite curbing along the road — as part of an effort to make capital infrastructure improvements throughout the community.
“The safety of our residents and visitors within our town has always been and will continue to be a top priority to this administration,” Crabtree said in 2019.
More information about the town’s paving project can be found by contacting the Saugus Department of Public Works at (781) 231-4143.