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Council approves National Grid conduit work on North Street after engineer outlines traffic, restoration requirements
Summary
After questioning from councilors and engineering staff, the council granted National Grid’s order to install conduits at North Street and Bridal/Bryant Street. The city engineer said National Grid must submit a road‑opening permit, provide a traffic‑management plan and perform restoration, including replacing wheelchair ramps in kind if affected.
The Salem City Council granted an order from National Grid on July 9 to install conduits on North Street near the Bryant/Bridal intersection after a briefing and questions from councilors.
Sabina Mahabir Sheehy, representing National Grid, told the council the work would provide load relief for a feeder installed during the COVID period. City Engineer Jay Carroll answered councilors’ detailed questions about traffic mitigation and finished surfaces: the company must submit a separate road‑opening permit, the city will require a traffic‑management plan and police detail during construction, and the company must make temporary restorations and then permanent replacements where needed. Carroll said the city also expects replacement "in kind" of any wheelchair ramps damaged by trenching.
Councilors raised concerns about the location’s proximity to a multiuse bike path and a marked crossing and asked what the city would do if National Grid failed to return sidewalks, ramps or pavement to an acceptable standard. Carroll said residents could file ClickFix reports; the city would escalate problems to the contractor and require remediation under permit terms.
Following the Q&A and a motion from Councilor Halapa, the council closed the public hearing and voted to grant the conduits for the North Street location; the chair announced the matter carries.
