A nearly two year, $4.6 million road and sidewalk improvement project to Wyoma Square began in earnest this week, and state and city officials are warning residents and drivers to expect travel delays through the square during construction.
The complete project involves road and sidewalk reconstruction of Broadway from Boston Street to Lynnfield Street including road widening, the addition of wheelchair accessible ramps at crosswalks, new traffic signals, curbing, drainage improvements, signage and complete re-paving of the street.
Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy has issued a request to motorists to seek alternative routes, rather than travel through Wyoma Square.
In preparation for the project, city workers spent time this week surrounding several trees with rings of upright 2×4 slats, in an effort to the trees from possible damage by heavy equipment. Other trees were simply removed and will be replaced at the end of the project, following the road widening and sidewalk re-alignment.
Additionally, fire hydrant work in the square this week will cause detours as well for motorists.
Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi, who represents the neighborhood noted that even residents and people who work in Wyoma Square, will be forced to use side streets and detours as best as they can throughout construction.
According to a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the project is expected to be completed in spring 2016, which means an estimated construction timeframe of at least 19-months.
The project was designed to improve traffic flow through the square and will also improve alternative means of transportation flow, such as bicycle and pedestrian traffic as well.