The city has secured a $14 million grant from the Massachusetts Transportation Improvement Plan to transform Amesbury Street from a one-way to a two-way thoroughfare. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will oversee the construction, which includes significant sidewalk installations requiring various easements from property owners along the corridor.

City officials emphasized the importance of acquiring both temporary construction easements and permanent public utility easements (PUEs) to facilitate the project. The easements are necessary for contractors to access land for sidewalk installation and to accommodate overhead utility lines. A licensed market appraiser has been engaged to assess the value of these easements, with some properties valued at over $100,000.

Out of 36 easements identified, 30 are part of the taking process, while six are city-owned properties that will be donated to the project by local agencies, including the Essex Company and the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority. City representatives reported positive engagement with property owners, noting that all have expressed support for the project, with no significant opposition encountered.

The project is on a tight timeline, as it is the last construction initiative scheduled for the fiscal year 2024. Regular meetings with state officials have facilitated progress, and city leaders are optimistic about meeting the necessary deadlines to ensure the project moves forward smoothly.