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Dear Resident:
This letter has been sent to provide an update on the Forest Street Project status.
Last year the Town wasprepared to move forward with this project to be funded with local tax dollars. When we learned that there was a chance that we could possibly obtain Federal Stimulus Funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 for this federal aid eligible road, we worked hard to obtain that funding.This past June, the Town learned that the project was selected to receive ARRA funds and that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) planned to advertise the project in July to begin the construction bidding process. Because this project will be funded with Federal Funds, MassDOT will assume control of the process to select a contractor and will oversee the construction as well. Within the past few weeks, a copy ofthe State’s project advertisement was published.
Unfortunately, MassDOT placed a due date of October 13th, 2010 for the receipt of construction bids.
The Town had expressed on several occasions our desire to have this project begin this year and requested that the process of selecting a contractor be accelerated to the greatest extent possible. For whatever reasons, staffing, available resources, etc., MassDOT was not able tomeet our requests. While this is disappointing, the Town is extremely fortunate to have obtained this funding in light of the difficult fiscal climate we, and other communities, are experiencing. Waiting to obtain this funding saved the Town $1.6 million.
Once MassDOT receives the construction bids this October and finalizes the selection process, we will request that a construction schedule be provided for distribution to the residents who will be impacted most by this work. The schedule, along with project update, will also be posted online at arlingtonma.gov/dpwprojects. Please note that although this project will be officially run by MassDOT, the Town will stay heavily involved and will be available to assist
residents with any matters as the project progresses.
If you have any questions about this project, please to not hesitate to contact my office at 781-316-3320.
Sincerely,
Michael Rademacher
Town Engineer
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