3 May, 2022
The Main Street Corridor Project, which was sold to residents as a “two construction season” project, has now entered its second construction season. The project is apparently already delayed by one year, as the project specialist recently advised that the project is “on schedule” with an October 2023 end date.
Per a 9/26/2019 HopNews.com article: "Also at issue is a 5-year length of time on the easements, leading some people to conclude wrongly that the construction will last 5 years. Chair Brendan Tedstone clarified. He explained that the plan called for the work to be completed in 2 construction seasons, beginning next year. Mr. Tedstone explained that the remaining years were for the warranty period."
Per a 10/2/2019 Hopkinton Independent article: "'We’ve been apprised that this will cover two construction seasons,' Khumalo stated. . . . It also was noted that construction season generally runs from April through November, depending on weather conditions."
Per a 6/1/2020 MetroWest Daily News article: "Design plans have been completed and the project is scheduled to go out to bid in the next four to six weeks, with bids likely due back in September or October. The bid process will likely determine the actual start of the work, said Herr. Construction is expected to take about two years."
Per a 12/2/2020 MetroWest Daily News article: "'We’ll be working in earnest in the corridor,' said Herr. . . . . Construction is slated to take about two years."
Per 3/15/2022 communication with town engineer: “The Town’s response has always been to questions related to the anticipated project duration . . . I recollect the general response from the Town always being that for a project this size it would be a 2-3 year project.”
If the town “always” knew that this would be a 2 to 3 year project, why did Norman Khumalo, Brian Herr, and others make the above statements to the press and residents?
How can a two construction season project be “on schedule” when the estimated completion date is three construction seasons after the project started?
Sincerely,
Sandra Ward
Main Street
**This article was written by a group or person in the Hopkinton Community and does not reflect the views of HCAM or any of their Board Members or Employees.**
