Filbert Yee of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, center, conducts the public hearing held on Oct. 19.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The long-anticipated reconstruction of Water Street is expected to get under way in spring 2018.
Officials from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and engineering firm Greenman-Pedersen came to Town Hall this month for a public hearing on the project, which is 100 percent designed and ready to go to bid in August 2017.
"We've been working on it on and off with [Williamstown's Guntlow & Associates] for the last seven years," Greenman-Pedersen Project Manager James Noyes said. "Part of the delay was trying to get it onto the TIP. That caused a delay of a couple of years."
The $2.8 million project finally earned its way onto the Transportation Improvement Plan of the Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization.
When finished, a half-mile section of Water Street (Route 43) will be reconstructed and widened with 25 spaces for on-street parking, a bike lane on each side of the road and 5-foot wide cement sidewalks and granite curbing on each side.
"The town is looking at it as an extension to all the work being performed at Williams College in that part of town," Noyes said. "The goal is to create a pedestrian-friendly, bicycle-friendly feel for this roadway. There is only a 40-foot wide strip the state owns. Trying to get cars, pedestrians and bicycles in there is a challenge. We also wanted to address the lack of on-street parking for businesses."
The roadway itself also has deteriorated.
"Any roadway will deteriorate over the years," Noyes said. "There are inadequate shoulder widths and markings, inadequate drainage. There are sidewalks but no definition in terms of curbing and no on-street parking."
Town leaders have long talked about Water Street's condition as a stumbling block to economic development along that corridor as well as the creation of a link between the new apartments at Cable Mills and the Spring Street commercial district.
The improvements will require "some minor, small permanent takings" of privately owned land, Noyes said.
"They're in the vicinity of 20- to 50-square feet," he said.
A right-of-way compliance officer from MassDOT was on hand at the Oct. 19 public hearing to address any concerns about either permanent takings or temporary easements that will be required for construction work.
Those property owners' rights are protected by both Massachusetts General Law and, because the project is receiving federal funds, federal law, the officer said.
No property owners raised specific questions related to their property at the hearing, but a South Street resident asked if the potential loss of frontage on Water Street properties could have implications down the road if those property owners applied to make changes to the lots under town zoning.
"In that Village Business District, there are very permissive frontage and area requirements," Community Development Director Andrew Groff replied. "However, if there was an impact, Mass General Law says properties under takings are granted the right of nonconformity."
In other words, even if a lot size was diminished to the point that the reduction raised zoning issues, the parcel would be "grandfathered" to protect its status prior to the taking.
Another issue raised during the public hearing related to the potential inconvenience to Water Street during a construction period expected to last into 2019.
That was a concern for the owner of Water Street Grill, who in general applauded the project.
"The plans, I have to say, look phenomenal," Eric Reinhard said. "I'm very excited about it. It's much needed on Water Street.
"It's obviously a little challenging for me because I'm open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. If you're going to close the street, just give me advance notice, and I'll be glad to take the day off."
Officials said they did not foresee any long-term closures or permanent detours associated with the project.
"There may be some inconvenience to your customers," admitted MassDOT project manager Filbert Yee. "But when the road is done, it will be the best thing for the town."
Yee said he would accept comments through Nov. 2 to be added to the transcript of the public hearing, which is available for viewing at WilliNet. The slideshow presented by MassDOT is available on the town’s website, here.
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