Utilizing $725,000 in Chapter 90 funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Chelsea Department of Public Works will execute a full depth reconstruction of a portion of Central Avenue and will repave a portion of Watts Street beginning Thursday, July 16 as part of its annual paving program.
Central Avenue will be rehabilitated between Hawthorne Street and Shawmut Street, and the remainder of Central Ave will be paved in 2027. Watts Street will be paved between Highland Street and Lynn Street. Central Ave’s complete rehabilitation is needed in large part due to an uneven road foundation caused by hidden cobblestones and train tracks below the road’s surface.
“The project will consist of the removal of layers of concrete and cobblestones, as well as portions of railway beneath the road surface,” said Cate Fox-Lent, Chelsea’s Public Works Commissioner. “Central Avenue’s subsurface has also experienced significant deformations due to heavy traffic volume from vehicles. A full-depth reconstruction is needed to create a safer and more durable roadway.“
City officials stated they prioritize infrastructure investments using a surface asset management plan that evaluates roadway and sidewalk conditions, safety and accessibility needs, roadway function, multimodal traffic volume, and the age of previous repairs. This approach ensures that improvements are made where they are most needed and will have the greatest long-term benefit for residents and commuters.
Residents and commuters in affected areas should expect temporary construction activity, including traffic adjustments and parking restrictions, during the duration of the project. The City will provide advance notice to impacted neighborhoods prior to the start of construction.
This project, which is funded through a state grant and the City’s Capital Improvement Program funds, is designed to improve roadway conditions, enhance pedestrian safety, increase accessibility, and extend the lifespan of critical transportation infrastructure throughout Chelsea. These improvements reflect the City’s continued commitment to maintaining safe, accessible, and reliable infrastructure for all who live, work, and travel in Chelsea.
The State’s Chapter 90 Program provides funding to municipalities for the implementation of capital improvements on local public ways.