AMHERST — Reconstruction of a downtown intersection that began this summer is continuing as two other road projects are set to begin, including one that will lead to closing West Bay Road near the Hadley town line for two days.
Throughout the week, Palmer Paving and Ludlow Construction will be rebuilding the accessible crosswalk ramps at the intersection of Amity, Main and South and North Pleasant streets.
That project, part of a two-year, $4.55 million plan that will cover 2.47 miles of roads, has led to periodic road closures in the main commercial district, but is in the midst of winding down.
Starting up, though, will be the reclaiming of 1,425 feet of West Bay Road, near the Hadley town line and extending past the entrance to the Hampshire College campus toward Atkins Farms Country Market.
On Thursday and Friday, the road will be closed to all through traffic, which includes commuters coming from Belchertown and over the Notch from Granby and South Hadley, so that Palmer Paving and Peckham Road Corp. can start the project. During those days, those who travel on the road will be detoured via South Maple Street and Moody Bridge Road in Hadley to West Pomeroy Lane in Amherst.
Earlier in the week, Palmer and Peckham will be reclaiming a 1,400-foot section of College Street from the Eversource substation at the corner of South Whitney Street to the South East Street intersection. The road will be closed to vehicles traveling west, with those vehicles to be detoured via Main Street. Vehicles traveling east should expect delays.
Another road that will be closed for four to six weeks is Middle Street, where Western Earthworks will be replacing an existing stream culvert between Orchard Drive and Bay Road. The company recently completed the replacement of a culvert on Potwine Lane.
For more information, contact the Department of Public Works at 413-259-3050 or publicworks@amherstma.gov.