Old Chatham Road/Route 39 intersection work described as substantially complete after decade-long effort

Harwich’s Traffic Safety Committee on July 14 heard an update on the long-running Old Chatham Road at Route 39 project and said the work is substantially complete after what members described as more than a decade of effort.

The Chair (Speaker 4) opened the update by congratulating Public Works and the contractor and saying, “It’s done. It looks great.” The DPW deputy director (Speaker 2) told the committee he had been out for six weeks and deferred to staff; a town staff member (Speaker 6) said the remaining items are stamped concrete in an island and installation of permanent signs, while members said a fall punch‑list will address those details.

Members said traffic has slowed through the intersection because of a bump‑out and that residents reported appreciation for the calming effect. Speakers also flagged maintenance needs — especially vegetation control near sight lines — and discussed minor user behavior adjustments as drivers become accustomed to new geometry.

The meeting also noted the Linda Sabula crosswalk was finally made accessible and several committee members praised the work of MassDOT, the contractor (named in discussion as Lawrence Lynch) and a private donor. One member recounted that the town contributed a modest amount toward engineering and that the project delivered a multiyear, multi‑million‑dollar sidewalk improvement with a smaller town contribution; the meeting record included differing phrasing on exact amounts discussed. The Chair asked staff to prepare the fall punch‑list and to follow up on permanent sign installation.

The committee did not take separate formal votes on the update; members expressed general satisfaction and asked staff to return with punch‑list progress.