DIGHTON — Town Administrator Michael Mullen, together with the Dighton Water District and Acting Chief of Police George Nichols, reports that a portion of Main Street in Dighton will close to traffic starting Monday for the Main Street Water Main Replacement Project.
The project, led by the Dighton Water District, began in the winter of 2022. Due to mild winter weather, the project timeline has shifted and construction has advanced more quickly than originally anticipated.
Asphalt overlay of the water main construction was completed last week. Water main replacement work under the Main Street culvert crossings will begin Monday, Aug. 14 and is expected to continue through mid-September.
Beginning Monday, Aug. 14, Main Street from Williams Street to Elm Street will be closed to through traffic. Traffic will be permitted for Main Street residents and emergency vehicles only.
Road closure and detour signage will be posted in the area. The town will also discuss with the school administration any potential impact on bus routes, which will be determined by construction progress.
In its entirety, the Dighton Water District’s Main Street Water Main Replacement Project has a cost of nearly $3 million.
The Town is planning additional roadway infrastructure investments for Main Street, including drainage and stormwater infrastructure upgrades, sidewalk installation, and reclamation and repaving of both sides of the road. This work will align with the National Grid-initiated utility pole relocation project from Williams Street to Elm Street.
At June’s Annual Town Meeting, residents approved the first $300,000 in funding that will be dedicated to completing the project. Town officials are also applying for $250,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding through Bristol County to fund the stormwater upgrades and drainage improvement components of the project.
The current water main replacement work, when completed, will need the winter season to settle before the full Main Street reconstruction work can begin. Town officials envision the full project to be completed over the next two years.
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