By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Department of Public Works (DPW) is gearing up for road construction season this fall, Director John Scenna said during a recent Select Board meeting.
Scenna said the town has been awarded a Complete Streets grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) that will be used to overhaul the Summer and Salem street intersection, totaling $499,000.
“MassDOT has a Complete Streets program that we participate in,” said Scenna. “It allows us to get up to $500,000 every three years for an intersection calming project or any pedestrian calming project. This is the project we applied for last year.”
Scenna said the Summer and Salem street project will be “narrowing the intersection.”
“It intends to slow people down, create a little bit more green space and improve pedestrian crossing,” said Scenna. “It is going to create some more green space in front of the Post Office.”
Scenna said the Summer and Salem street intersection project will be undertaken this fall due to work associated with the Fire Headquarters project that is underway. The new Fire Headquarters will be completed by late October or early November.
“Right now, it is really, really busy to do any additional work,” said Scenna. “This is being paid for by MassDOT. It is a great infrastructure improvement. As the building opens, we hope to have this project done as well.”
Scenna said the first phase of the DPW’s road construction program will begin this fall. He recalled that Spring Town Meeting approved the fiscal year 2026 capital budget, which includes $300,000 for road construction that will be supplemented by Chapter 90 funds from the state.
“I am hoping the first round takes place right after Labor Day,” said Scenna.
Scenna informed the Villager that no road construction will occur this summer due to a “lack of funding.”
“Our fiscal year begins on July 1,” said Scenna.
While Scenna anticipates the town will be receiving between $400,000 and $500,000 in Chapter 90 funds from the state, he told the Select Board that the road construction program could be expanded if the DPW receives additional Chapter 90 funds. He noted that the State Legislature has yet to finalize those appropriations.
“That hasn’t materialized yet in writing,” said Scenna. “It is just talk.”
Scenna said Sparkhawk Drive will be paved this fall. He also said Baldwin Lane and Russet Lane will be going through a “full reconstruction.”
“The Apple Hill area was an area that was initially proposed for patchwork,” said Scenna. “It would have been a checkerboard approach to the entire neighborhood that wasn’t very well received. We stepped back and while it may take a little longer, we are doing these streets in full. We intend to do Baldwin from Orchard Lane to Apple Hill, and Russet from Orchard to Apple Hill.”
Scenna also said Edward Avenue North and Edward South will be finished being paved this fall. He said that project got delayed due to utility work. Barnsley Road and Coleman Avenue are both slated to be paved this fall.
Additionally, Scenna said also the DPW “has to start addressing our main roads.”
“There is a very bad section of Lowell Street by Peabody when you first come in,” said Scenna. “We are going to try to do that section of Lowell Street from Peabody to Durham Drive this fall.”
Scenna also said half of Edgemere Road will be paved.
“The gas company did half of Edgemere last year,” said Scenna. “We didn’t have any funds to do the other half, but we owe it to the neighborhood to get that street right.”
Scenna said the DPW is going to undertake “sidewalk improvements on Walnut Street that are needed.”
“There have been several accidents in the last couple of years.
Scenna said all of Apple Hill Lane and Cider Hill Road will both tentatively be paved in the summer of 2026. He also said Tedford Lane, Tophet Road, Maddison Lane, Richard Road and Carol Ann Road are slated to be paved next summer.
“This is around an $800,000 investment in roads that will take place over 12 months, but over two fiscal years given how we approached it,” said Scenna.
Scenna said the town has applied for a Safe Streets grant from MassDOT that would be used to fund crosswalk improvements in front of the Lynnfield Public Library and by Town Hall. He said the town will be applying for additional Complete Streets grants next year.