The majority of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) parkway improvement project is finally under construction after many years of planning and pushing by the community.
The parkway improvement project focuses on three different areas: Perkins Street and Francis Parkman Drive intersection; Centre Street, from VFW Parkway to Murray Circle; and the Arborway between Eliot Street and South Street, including Kelley Circle and Murray Circle.
“The Department of Conservation and Recreation continues to make significant progress with parkway safety improvements within the Jamaica Plain neighborhood, and the agency looks forward to working with the community as this important work advances,” said Troy Wall, DCR spokesman.
Below is status of the three different portions of the project, according to DCR:
Perkins Street and Parkman Drive
-Work start at the site in May.
-Work includes, new traffic signal on Perkins Street with new signalized pedestrian crossing at Cabot Estates driveway; new traffic signal at Francis Parkman Drive (signal operation coordinated with pedestrian crossing); new accessible pedestrian path access to Jamaica Pond; minor landscape modifications to Boston Parkland, such as paved, accessible path from Perkins Street to Jamaica Pond and new stone walls to enable construction of accessible path; and, modification of Perkins Street and Parkman Drive intersection configuration to improve safe intersection operation.
-The project is expected to be completed during the winter season.
Centre Street
-The DCR is nearing completion of improvements along Centre Street. Paving is expected to begin next week. Once completed, the agency will paint traffic markings onto the surface.
-Additional work includes the installation of a protective fence and new sidewalk panels along the north side of Centre Street (the location is where the sidewalk has been closed due to fallen rock in 2014).
-The project is expected to be completed in summer 2018.
Arborway
-Currently, the DCR is reviewing revised designs by its contractor Toole Designs regarding improvements along Arborway. Once the agency has fully reviewed the designs, a neighborhood meeting will be coordinated, inviting the public to review and comment on the upcoming project.
-Additionally, pedestrian crossing and resurfacing of Inner Arborway near Arnold Arboretum is under construction, and will be completed July 2018.