Wilmington's Middlesex Avenue Scheduled To Re-Open As Planned Tuesday

WILMINGTON, MA —The Wilmington Department of Public Works announced last week that Middlesex Avenue (Route 62) — between Jefferson Avenue and North Street — will re-open to two-way traffic at 6 p.m. Tuesday, as was previously scheduled.

The department said the re-opening is possible because its Route 62 culvert replacement project is on track. The project involves replacing a failing culvert conveying water to Lubbers Brook.

According to the Wilmington DPW, the re-opening of Middlesex Avenue (Route 62) also will include the contractor removing the major barricades and major detour signage along Route 62, at Federal Street and High Street.

Additionally, the contractor will be working through the day on Wednesday to remove all static traffic control signage along the detour routes associated with the roadway closure, the Wilmington DPW said.

Though the stretch of Middlesex Avenue (Route 62) will re-open, the area will remain a work zone, officials said. Temporary barriers will be in place along each side of the road to allow contractors to work through September and October in order to complete the project.

The Wilmington DPW said pedestrian traffic will remain restricted on the stretch of Middlesex Avenue (Route 62), with the restriction likely lasting until the end of September.

Over the next few weeks, officials said, the roadway surface also will be a temporary roadway consisting of asphalt millings and gravel.

As a result, the Wilmington DPW is asking drivers to reduce speed through the work zone and to obey all warning signs.

Officials said there also may be intermittent lane closures and short delays on the stretch of road, which are necessary while contractors complete the project.

On Aug. 10, the Wilmington DPW announced the stretch of Middlesex Avenue (Route 62) was scheduled to re-open as a two-lane road on Aug. 30.

This was a modification over the previous plan, which involved Middlesex Avenue (Route 62) re-opening as a single-lane roadway from Aug. 17 to Sept. 27, before accommodating two lanes of traffic beginning on Sept. 28.

Though the construction plan no longer included a partial re-opening of Middlesex Avenue (Route 62), it allowed for a full re-opening of the road nearly a month earlier than originally planned.

At the time Wilmington DPW explained the reason for the modification:

"This modification has been made to reduce congestion to the area anticipated from single-lane alternating traffic, reduce public safety response times, improve access to area businesses by reducing queuing, help with September school bus routing, reduce conflicts with the at-grade train crossing in North Wilmington and provide a safer work environment for the contractor to complete the project in a more timely manner."

More information and updates about the project can be found on the Town of Wilmington website.