Charlemont has two important construction projects happening this spring – the building of the municipal fiber network and the next phase of the traffic calming work. Broadband team members have been highlighting the risk of having these projects ongoing simultaneously for some time, but these concerns were brought into sharp focus as the initial distribution network build schedule was coming together at the beginning of the new year. Broadband Committee representatives, the Select Board, the Town Administrator, Westfield Gas & Electric (WG&E), DOT project managers, and state officials met and agreed to make every effort to accelerate the village fiber network build ahead of the spring resumption of the traffic calming work. It’s going to be a busy construction season in the village center!
TriWire, Charlemont’s distribution contractor, is working hard to complete the distribution network segment within the village center within a narrow time window. Meeting this aggressive schedule will require a strong surge by TriWire and WG&E! The fairgrounds are prepared to serve as a staging area, police details are being arranged, and necessary remedial make-ready is underway! A formal construction kick-off meeting is scheduled for this week and Triwire is planning to begin construction on February 1.