Roadway Reconstruction Project

For the Town of Ipswich, Coneco has expedited a complete roadway reconstruction project to improve the roadway surface, pedestrian access and significant drainage issues that have plagued a primary roadway through the Town center.

Located within the downtown area of the Town of Ipswich, Central and South Main Streets (Route 1A/133) are a component of a primary north-south corridor connecting coastal communities along the north shore with Route 128 and Interstate 95. Due to excessive use, and as a result of extensive utility projects that have been completed, an approximately 3,200 foot long section of this roadway is in poor condition and reconstruction of the roadway is desperately needed.

Coneco has been contracted by the Town to develop design plans and specifications for the full reconstruction of the roadway, while at the same time, is assisting in pursuing funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. To be eligible for funding through the ARRA, this project is being designed in accordance with Massachusetts Highway Department standards and must pass the MHD's stringent review process.

The majority of the design was completed within a six week period, and includes; a new roadway surface, sidewalks with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access, and improved pedestrian crossings. In addition, an extensive assessment of the existing drainage system within the project area has recently been completed by Coneco, with the results of the assessment leading to the design of a new drainage system to manage stormwater and reduce flooding conditions that have occurred during major storm events. The drainage system was designed to include the addition of stormwater quality units to improve the quality of collected stormwater that discharges to the Ipswich River.

Through the combined efforts of the Ipswich Department of Public Works and Coneco, the project was recently approved as a candidate ARRA project by MHD's Project Review Committee. Coneco is continuing to work with the Town and MHD to receive final approvals for this local and regionally important project.