The Massachusetts Highway Department will hold a Design Public Hearing to present their plan on “Rehabilitation of Central Ave from Brook to Maple Street. It will be at the  Milton Public Library, Basement Conference Room / 476 Canton Avenue / Milton, MA 02186 on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 7:00 PM.

They are holding the hearing to present information to the public and listen to the publics thoughts, opinions, and feedback. however, they note that there will be no vote. This will occur regardless. They note that, “A secure right of way is necessary for this project. Temporary construction easements may be required. Your municipality is responsible for acquiring all necessary rights in private or public lands. If your property is affected, your rights are fully protected under law.”

From their fact sheet, “The purpose is to rehabilitate the street, reducing the width of the pavement (where excessive) and create an off-road multi-use path for commuting and recreational use. Other features include in-road bicycle accommodation, continuous sidewalks on both sides and enhanced pedestrian crossings of Central Avenue via reduced crossing distances and refuge median islands at key intersections. It will include pavement rehabilitation, sidewalk construction/reconstruction, curbing, drainage modifications, signing/pavement markings, bicycle /pedestrian amenities with Americans with Disabilities Act/Architectural Access Board elements, and landscaping.

Specific measures will include:

• the excessive roadway pavement width will be reduced from 44 feet to 37 feet and an off-road 10-foot multi-use bi-directional path will be provided along the easterly side of the corridor. The proposed roadway section from Brook Road to Hinckley Road will consist of a 11-foot wide travel lane and a 4-foot shoulder on the easterly side and an 11-foot wide travel lane and a 7-foot wide shoulder on the westerly side.
• The existing 5-foot sidewalk and grass strip will be reconstructed on westerly side and a 10-foot wide multi-use bi-directional path with 5-foot grass strips on either side on the easterly side. In addition, the existing 5-foot of sidewalk near right-of-way line along the easterly side of the Right of Way will be rehab and retained.
• The proposed roadway section from Hinckley Road to Valley Road will continue with the above described roadway section. The differences will be in the sideline areas. The westerly side will have a 6-foot wide sidewalk and the easterly side will have a 10-foot multi-use bi-directional path with a 5-foot wide grass strip between it and the roadway.
• The proposed roadway section will again continue from Valley Road to Griggs Lane. However in this length, the design will include a 6-foot wide sidewalk and 5-foot grass strip on the westerly side of Central Avenue. The multi-use bi-directional path will end at Griggs Lane.
• The proposed roadway section from Griggs Lane to Maple Street will have a 5-foot wide bicycle lane and a 12-foot wide travel lane in each direction. The 8-foot wide shoulder will be provided for on-street parking on westerly side. A 5-foot wide sidewalk and 3 to 4-foot grass strip will be provided on both sides of the Central Avenue. The 5-foot wide bicycle lane ends at Maple Street intersection.
• New ADA/AAB compliant wheelchair ramps will be provided at all intersections and at all driveway openings. There will be mid block pedestrian crossings at Hinckley Road at Central Avenue, Columbine Road at Central Avenue, Valley Road at Central Avenue, Griggs Lane at Central Avenue, and Maple Street at Central Avenue. At Hinckley Road, pedestrian crossing will have median island on Central Avenue and similar arrangement at Valley Road intersection.
• Full-depth reclamation is planned for a portion of the Central Avenue corridor from Brook Road northerly to point just south of Valley Road, a length of approximately 3,300 feet. In addition, improved drainage facilities are proposed to replace the existing system which consists of “country drainage”.

Roadways in the project area will remain open to traffic throughout construction. Construction will likely take place on half the roadway at a time with traffic maintained in a single lane with police control. Occasional short traffic disruptions may occur, but efforts will be made to minimize inconvenience to the public. Pedestrian and vehicular access to abutting properties will be maintained at all times, except for brief periods of time of which abutters will be notified in advance.

You can download the full text of the project’s fact sheet here.