The City of Lowell has several road projects scheduled for the 2024 construction season, but the biggest among them is a complete renovation of Washington Street from Front to Fremont Streets.
Although the road will be reconstructed, this is actually a water and sewer project to replace utility lines that run along the road. The project is being completed by Georgetown Construction Co, and their base bid of $3.35 million roughly breaks down as follows:
- Sewer: $2.5 million
- Water: $814,000
- Replacement of lead service lines: $45,000
The city is financing the project through USDA bonds which will be paid back using a combination of water, sewer and Downtown Development Authority funds.
There was a slight delay in the start of the project as councilmembers ironed out how to make the bond payments, ultimately approving increases in water and sewer rates with the understanding that they would look for other funding sources going forward.
This is currently the view on Washington Street looking north from Avery. The street and sidewalks are closed to through traffic while the project is completed, and a 160-day construction period has been allocated for the work.
From a birds-eye view, the extent of the work is more readily apparent. Our thanks to Chris Reynolds for sharing these aerial images of the roadwork.
In previous years, both Monroe and Jefferson Streets have been completely reconstructed. When Washington is done, that means all three of the main north/south roads in the neighborhood behind the downtown will be like new.
There are also plans to repave some sections of the side streets that connect Lafayette, Monroe, Washington and Jefferson Streets. A complete list of planned 2024 street projects can be found on the City of Lowell website.
i WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY DISAPPROVAL WITH THE NORTH WASHINGTON PROJECT! lOWELLS NATIVE ANERICAN HISTORY LIES BURIED IN THAT VERY SECTION. sHAME ON aTWOOD WHO HAVE POISONED THAT LAND FOR YEARS! MY PRAYER IS THAT THE OLD BELDING DAM GIVES WAY AND SHOWS ALL INVESTED WHY ITS A FLOOD PLAIN. LETS SEE YOU DEAL WITH A 15 FOOT WALL OF WATER. SAVE OUR NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY. WOULD BE GREAT IF THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION! SCREW FATWOOD! LOOK INTO WHERE ALL THE PFAS CONTAMINATION COMES FROM INSTEAD OF GETTING YOUR POCKETS LINED TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY!