The state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Casey Arborway team has received a letter from the state Historic Commission (MHC) with suggestions for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies, bringing the project one step closer to construction.
The MHC’s requested amendments listed in the May 1 letter include designation of maintenance responsibility for informational panels, requested efforts to save azalea bushes and declaring a preference for ornamental light poles.
“These are more or less minimal requests,” MassDOT spokesperson Michael Verseckes told the Gazette.
The project has already been put out for contractor bids. The deadline is Aug. 5, and according to the bid notice, the project is budgeted at $61,274,000.
According to the project website, an initial public information meeting will be held by the winning contractor no later than 30 days before the beginning of work in Forest Hills.
Construction is expected to begin by late spring or early summer.
The project’s website is massdot.state.ma.us/caseyarborway.