We are well aware of the poor condition of North Street, Gilboa Street, Northeast Main Street, and Lackey Dam Road due to recent road construction of installing three underground utilities. This is a very complicated and challenging $11.8 million infrastructure upgrade project, requiring in-depth and detailed coordination, while over-coming many unforeseen obstacles.

North Street (Main to Gilboa) has two new underground utilities with two temporary trench patches; Gilboa Street (between North and Uxbridge town line) has mostly three new underground utilities with three temporary trench patches; Northeast Main Street has one new underground utility with one temporary trench patch; and Lackey Dam Road in Uxbridge has three new underground utilities with three temporary trench patches.

It is prudent practice to allow an absolute minimum time period of three months to allow for deep trench settling before final paving after the last trench excavation, however, it is even more desirable to allow for a full freeze/thaw winter cycle for better results. With that said, it is unwise to pave a road only to dig it up again for more utility work as the Town will end up with a road surface that will deteriorate in a few years, requiring further maintenance and wasted funds - funds that could be used elsewhere. The intent is, and has always been, to get the best product for the Town with a road surface that will last a very long time.

It is to be noted the last underground utility was installed in North Street in June 2023, therefore, final paving would not be scheduled prior to September.  This includes Gilboa Street (North to West end of 120 Gilboa mill parking lot) as the same paving contractor is doing both streets.

There is still sewer pipe installation work scheduled for September in front of the 120 Gilboa mill complex, therefore final paving for Gilboa Street (from west end of mill parking lot to Uxbridge town line) is scheduled for late November. The minimum three-month time period will be shortened due to a different trench backfill process.

Lackey Dam Road (from Uxbridge town line to the new warehouse east of RT 146) will be paved in September by a second paving contractor (different contracts).

Northeast Main Street has ongoing utility work for the next couple of months, therefore, final paving is scheduled for late spring 2024 to allow for a full freeze/thaw winter cycle for adequate trench settling.

One last item. Jersey barriers and lane shifts were set up on Gilboa Street, between the mill and the Shell gas station, to protect the work area for the new bridge crossing the Mumford River which provides direct access to the new 1.1 million sf warehouse. Guard rails will be installed this Wednesday (8/23). Jersey barriers associated with the bridge work will be removed the following week when the new private bridge will be officially open to construction traffic only.

We appreciate your patience as we near the end of this multi-million dollar project. Please watch for future Road Work Advisory Messages prior to final paving. Expect road closures, detours, and delays in work zones during final street paving.

Thank you,

Bob Minarik, Economic Development

Bob Sullivan, Water/Sewer Department Systems Manager