Whipple Road Water Main Replacement Project

Project Number

PW-21-11

Project Description

This project involves upgrades to the water distribution system piping on Whipple Road from the Lowell City Line to just beyond the Chandler Street intersection. The Contractor for this work is C.J.P. and Sons Construction Co., Inc. of Millis, MA. The upgrades include replacing the existing 6” to 12” transite and cast iron water main with new 8” to 12” ductile iron water main. This new water main will provide greater flow capacity due to its larger pipe diameter. The new pipe will also have greater structural stability due to the piping material type (ductile iron) which is less prone to water main breaks. Water service connections between the new 8” ductile iron water main and the curb stop (valve typically located at the property line of each house) will also be replaced with new HDPE tubing (1” diameter in most locations). Existing fire hydrants and hydrant piping will be replaced with new hydrants. Additionally, several new fire hydrants will be installed throughout the project area in locations where there are not existing fire hydrants. The increased size of the water main along with the new fire hydrants will allow for greater fire protection capabilities throughout these neighborhoods.

Temporary Bypass Water Main is planned for use some locations during this project where necessary. There will be some water service interruptions that are necessary during this construction project. Notices will be distributed to affected households at least 48 hours in advance of the anticipated shutdowns.

Residents that have irrigation systems and/or electric dog fences located within the right-of-way are advised to mark out their location as soon as possible to prevent these systems from being damaged by excavation. Please note that the Town is not responsible for any damages to these components installed within the Town’s right-of-way but we will make every effort to avoid damaging them if we are made aware of their presence in advance.

Project Location

Whipple Road from the Lowell City Line to just beyond the Chandler Street intersection.

Anticipated Construction Dates

Work is scheduled to resume on April 3, 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in July, 2023.

Typical Work Hours

Monday to Friday from 7:00AM to 3:30PM excluding holidays.

Roadway Closure/Detour Information

Starting on approximately Wednesday, April 19, 2023 a roadway closure and detour will be implemented on Whipple Road as part of the Whipple Road Water Main Replacement Project. Whipple Road is to be closed between the Pleasant Street and Chandler Street intersections and will be detoured during construction hours only (typically 7:00AM to 3:30PM) on Monday to Friday. Traffic will be detoured in both directions utilizing Pleasant Street, Helvetia Street, and Chandler Street as a detour route. Residents that live within the work zone area of Whipple Road (between Chandler Street and Pleasant Street) will be able to bypass the roadway closure to get to and from their residences. This construction work is planned to initially start at the Whipple/Pleasant intersection and a 2nd crew at the Whipple/Pine Street intersection and the two crews will progress towards each other and meet in the middle. Once the work progresses south past the Pond Street/Whipple Road intersection, a shorter detour route utilizing Pine Street and Pond Street will be in place. Traffic Control Officers will be on-site to direct traffic and detour signs will be posted along the detour route and at side streets within the roadway closure area.

School Buses will not be impacted by these detours and will allowed to bypass the detour routes in order to pickup and drop-off students at their normal times and locations. Trash collection and mail/package delivery vehicles will also be allowed to bypass the roadway closure to access residences. Whipple Road residents within the work zone (between Pleasant Street and Pine Street) are advised to have their trash curbside the night before your normal trash collection day for early pickup in the morning. Due to narrow roadway widths in some areas, tractor trailers will also be allowed to bypass the detour route.

Project Updates

April 7, 2023

Work has resumed on Whipple Road this week. Crews are working in the area between Rogers Street and Pleasant Street. Detours will be implemented during work hours. Please see the Roadway Closure/Detour Information section for updates regarding detour locations.

March 27, 2023 Update

Notices of upcoming Whipple Road water main construction are to be distributed this week to residents on Whipple Road between Windsor Drive and Marston Street. Starting March 27, 2023, CJP and Sons Construction will begin marking out the location of the new water main and sawcutting the pavement. Residents can expect traffic delays on Whipple Road while they are marking out and sawcutting the roadway. Police Details will be on site to direct traffic. It is recommended to avoid this area if alternate routes are available to you.

The excavation work is planned to begin on April 3, 2023. Work is planned to begin at the Whipple Road/Windsor Drive intersection and a second crew at the Whipple Road/Marston Street intersection and will progress towards each other.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Andrew Stack at astack@tewksbury-ma.gov or by calling (978) 640-4440, ext. 256.

Contractor

The contractor for this project is C.J.P. and Sons Construction Co., Inc of Millis, Massachusetts.

Project Contacts

If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Stack, Project Manager at (978) 640-4440 x256 or astack@tewksbury-ma.gov.

Project Documents

Whipple Road Locus Map