The City of Wheaton has awarded a contract to John Neri Construction for the Hale Street & Wesley Street Underground Utility Upgrades project. This work includes replacement of aging underground utilities on Wesley Street between Wheaton Avenue and Cross Street, as well as on Hale Street between Front Street and Seminary Avenue. These upgrades are being done in advance of the next phase of the streetscape work that is anticipated for 2019.
The project will last several months, and it will be done in stages of a few blocks at a time. The work will involve installing underground pipes in trenches which will require traffic control. The contractor will work to maintain a lane of traffic during construction, but some detours will occur as needed. Crews will be onsite, in general, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. with some days extending longer. Occasional Saturday work may be required. Additionally, street parking in the work zone area will be inaccessible during the daytime during construction. The contractor will reopen spaces at the end of the day wherever possible.
Neri Construction will begin preliminary work beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 28. This will include sawcutting the pavement, installing traffic control devices, and mobilizing equipment and material to the site. The contractor will begin work on the block of Wesley Street between Main and Cross, which will also include work in both intersections. Further detail will be provided early next week, and the City will coordinate with storefronts to answer questions regarding the project.