Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree Announces Highland Avenue Sidewalk, Pavement Project Completed
(Saugus, MA) October 2, 2019 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree is pleased to announce that the Highland Avenue new sidewalk and pavement project has been completed as part of an ongoing effort to continue to make capital infrastructure improvements throughout the community.
The work included the installation of new concrete sidewalks with granite curbing along Highland Avenue, as well as the pavement of the roadway.
These important infrastructure improvements were prioritized in order to provide the safest, most reliable sidewalks for students and families to walk to and from school, and for residents and visitors to use and enjoy.
“We are thrilled to improve to the neighborhood with new sidewalks and pavement along Highland Avenue, which will benefit residents as well as students who attend the new Saugus Middle-High School that will open to the community next year,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “Our top priority has always been and will continue to be the safety of our residents, and the children of Saugus.”
The new concrete sidewalks and granite curbing, an investment of $310,000 that was supported and approved by the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Town Meeting earlier this year, were completed last month. The pavement of Highland Avenue was completed earlier this summer as part of the Saugus Middle-High School project.
In addition, the Town also replaced a water main on Highland Avenue in order to improve water flow to the new school, and to benefit surrounding residents. At the same time, the Town coordinated with National Grid and a new gas line was installed on Highland Avenue.
The new Saugus Middle-High School will feature state-of-the-art science labs and technology classrooms, fine and performing arts classrooms and a 750-seat auditorium, a new sports complex for competition and practice, walking paths and track for community use, and outdoor classrooms, student gardens, and hands-on project areas at every grade level.
The Town of Saugus has continued to demonstrate its prioritization of sidewalk construction and reconstruction and pavement improvement projects. Last year, more than 1,615 feet of brand-new sidewalk panels were placed in Town as part of an ongoing effort to continue to improve pedestrian safety, increase walkability, and beautify the community. Freshly-poured concrete and asphalt sidewalk panels were installed along Central Street, Bristow Street, Essex Street, Columbus Avenue, Anawan Avenue, Juliette Road, Stone Street, Intervale Avenue, Castle Street, Dreeme Street, Granite Road, Myrtle Street, Bayfield Road, Birch Street, Heritage Lane and more last year alone.
Town Manager Crabtree, working with the Sidewalk Committee, first directed efforts towards town-wide sidewalk improvements in 2012, when the Public Works Department and Sidewalk Committee members began surveying all of the Town’s sidewalks and identifying the community’s top-most critical infrastructure needs. An extensive, multi-year plan and priority list was then created to improve sidewalks throughout Saugus, and efforts are made each year to install new sidewalks along roadways in need.
In addition, each year the Town completes a series of pavement improvement projects within several areas of Saugus as an effort to ensure that the town’s streets are in the best possible condition.
“I would like to thank the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Town Meeting, and residents of Saugus for their continued support of these important community initiatives,” concluded Town Manager Crabtree.
For more information on the project, contact the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.
About The Town of Saugus
The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.
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