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City council continues public hearing on Eversource temporary conduit tied to MassDOT project
Summary
The New Bedford City Council continued a public hearing on three petitions from NSTAR/Eversource that would place temporary conduit and new manholes along Purchase, Belleville and Washburn streets for MassDOT project 606527. Councilors asked for MassDOT representation and fuller information before work begins.
The New Bedford City Council on Feb. 13 continued a public hearing on three related petitions from NSTAR Electric Company doing business as Eversource Energy to locate temporary conduit and two new manholes on Purchase, Belleville and Washburn streets. Councilors said they want MassDOT and city engineering staff present for the next hearing to answer questions about timing, traffic impacts and road repairs.
Jessica Elder, representing Eversource, told the council the three petitions are “all 1 particular work order” tied to MassDOT project 606527 and said the company will install temporary conduit along the three streets to support the larger project. She said the work is part of the MassDOT contract and described the conduit as temporary so the contractor can “get whatever necessary work they need to get done.”
Councilors pressed for more detail about schedule and traffic plans. Councilor Brian Gomes asked whether the work related to the planned railroad and noted the streets affected are heavily traveled. After questions from councilors the Eversource representative said the work could last about four years and that the company had coordinated with the city Department of Public Infrastructure, but she could not immediately say whether Eversource or MassDOT would make final road repairs.
Councilor Linda Morad moved to keep the hearing open and continue items 1, 1A, 2 and 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, and to invite representatives from MassDOT and the Department of Public Infrastructure to attend. The motion, seconded by Councilor Naomi Carney, passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: Councilors said the project will affect busy corridors and asked for clarity about who will repair roadways and how traffic and safety will be managed during the multi-year project. Council members also linked the work to the broader Route 195/Old Route 18 interchange project and to Mass Coastal Railroad activity, and asked for MassDOT to answer technical questions at the next hearing.
The hearing was continued; the council asked that MassDOT and city engineering staff be present at the Feb. 27 session to provide schedule, traffic management and road-repair commitments before the council takes further action.
