CAMBRIDGE, MA -- November 19, 2002 -- The City of Cambridge is about to spend nearly $9 million dollars reconstructing the section of Cambridge Street from Cambridge Hospital to the McGrath Highway (Route 28). Although the project will take about two years to complete, it will reap many benefits to both businesses and residents, according to the Department of Public Works (DPW). The DPW is trying to get the word out to the Portuguese-speaking community about the work plan and how it will affect the surrounding neighborhoods.

"This is a very significant project," said Owen O'Riordan, Assistant Commissioner of Engineering for the City, at a public meeting hosted by the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) on November 13.

The project has already begun in the Inman Square area, where crews have been digging some of the many new catch basins that will be installed to improve drainage along Cambridge Street. This phase of the work, to be completed by next spring, will require some traffic and parking interruptions that the city will try to minimize, according to officials. The next phase will include sidewalk and curb reconstruction; installation of brighter, more attractive lighting fixtures; the actual street reconstruction and a variety of other improvements such as renovations to the three city parking lots located in the project area.

The final part of the project will involve landscaping and renovation of several small park areas, including the Valente Library Park, Millers River Park and the Vellucci Community Plaza in Inman Square. "There are in excess of 100 new trees that are going to be planted," said O'Riordan.

He pledged that the city would do its best to minimize problems for neighbors during the construction project. Businesses will remain accessible throughout most of that period except for some brief interruptions during the pouring of concrete for the new sidewalks. The sidewalks are going to be reconstructed one block at a time, and pedestrians will be able to walk by without crossing to the other side. The city will do some work at night at the major intersections and is trying to make alternate parking available during the project to make up for displaced meter spots on Cambridge Street.

"Given that parking is at a premium in that area, that's not going to be terribly easy," said O'Riordan. When the project is complete, though, the city expects a net gain of 16 extra parking spaces, according to Katherine Watkins, the Transportation Project Manager.

There will also be limited water service interruptions in some neighborhoods during the work period. Neighbors will be constantly updated on project status through flyers and newsletters.

Paulo Pinto, MAPS Executive Director, said the health and social service agency would also keep the Portuguese-speaking community informed about the Cambridge Street work through its newsletter, its Website at www.maps-inc.org, and other publicity.

For further questions, the community is invited to contact the DPW at (617) 349-6948. The construction contractors from the Roads Corporation are also available for information at their local headquarters at 432 Columbia Street, Suite B12, (617) 374-6575.

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Copyright © 2002 Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, Inc. All rights reserved.