6A Sidewalks
| I love this time of year as I can work outside without bugs. But that will change soon as I found mosquito larvae swimming in some standing water. So now is the time to empty any buckets or any cranny where water can accumulate. I do not try to be a comprehensive calendar of events, but if I am sent news I will try and get it out. Thanks to everyone who voted in the Barnstable Fire District Election and also thanks to those of you were able to attend the District Annual Meeting. Stay in Touch. |
| Route 6A Sidewalks May 16, 2023 This is a compilation of the progress made along route 6A and the work proposed by the Mass Department of Transportation (DOT). Improvements are happening, the long process necessary for all transportation projects, is moving forward. First, you may not have noticed, but the center and edge lines along the roadway have been repainted and some reflectors have been added, mostly along curves in the road. This should make it easier for many of us driving at night. This is an example of maintenance undertaken by a government entity, which mostly goes unnoticed and unappreciated. Second, and I quote DOT, “…we are planning to install a crosswalk and RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon) across Route 6A at Harris Meadow Lane. We have the final design ready and will prioritize with our contractor for installation hopefully before school gets out in June. One potential issue could be obtaining the RRFB itself, as we are experiencing supply chain issues with equipment of that type. We should have a better idea on a timeline for installation shortly. I have talked to the District 5 Operations Engineer and they are still working hard to get this done by June 1, or early summer. Also anticipated is a crew to scrape and clean the existing sidewalks this spring. I pointed out that there must be wider sidewalks underneath the present path and they should instruct their contractor to find the edges of the sidewalk that exists under the overgrown sections. I have been in contact with Kip Diggs, and Mr. Santos (DPW) who support the construction project, and the administrators at the DOT District 5 office in Taunton. Everyone is working hard to move this forward. Here is the latest report from Bill Travers at DOT: “With respect to the sidewalks along Route 6A, as I’m sure you are aware we are moving forward with the design of the sidewalk between Old Jail Lane and Route 132. We are in the process of securing a consultant to do the design, and the first step will be for them to obtain the field survey. This should begin later this summer. Once a survey is obtained, the designer will then develop concepts for the sidewalk along the corridor. We will be meeting with the town and other key stakeholders in the development of the design, and we will also be doing public outreach meetings. The project will likely have impacts to trees, walls, shrubs, fences, etc. along the road in order to build a compliant sidewalk. The support of local officials will be crucial to obtain funding and advance the project for advertising and construction.” Bill said he was around when the section of the sidewalk east of the village was rebuilt and that section was much less complex in terms of layout and obstructions. Once this project is shovel-ready we will need everyone to add their voices to the urgency of this rebuild. If you want to express your concern and relay your stories now you can do so. Email Bill Travers at DOT mailto:bill.travers@state.ma.us |