Middletown's Two-Year Public Works Project Begins

Middletown’s two-year project that voters approved in November to reconstruct aging roads and stormwater drains on Valley Road and within the Continental Village neighborhood is getting underway this week.

Residents and business owners along Valley Road between Griffin Road and Goldenrod Drive can expect to see the first major phase of road repairs and stormwater drains to begin immediately. Earlier this week, work crews began making preliminary cuts into the asphalt on Valley Road before beginning the more extensive roadwork and excavation, according to Town Engineer Warren Hall.

The project will progress along Valley Road at a rate of about 80 feet per day, Hall said.

The work is part of a approved by voters in November of 2010 to replace aging, failing roads and stormwater drainage systems off Valley Road and in the Continental Village neighborhood. The Town Council approved the borrowing of another over the winter to fulfill the town's legal obligations to address stormwater problems throughout Middletown.

As such, the work and funding was designed to tie into the Esplanade stormwater outflow and redirection project to prevent pollutants from entering Easton’s Bay. , which was awarded the $3.2 million contract for the Espanade stormwater project, also has been contracted to repair the Valley Road and Continental Village infrastructure.

What to expect during construction

No water service disruptions are expected, but residents might experience a minor and brief disruption to sewer service lasting a couple of hours at most, according to town officials at a recent neighborhood meeting for the project. Town officials said they will remain in contact with neighbors to provide as much advance notice as possible throughout the project.

Motorists can expect to see the roadway narrowed but two lanes of travel will be maintained throughout the construction project, with minor or brief delays expected, they said. Some detours might occur once the project moves into the smaller neighborhoods next year.

Once the crews finish working on Valley Road, construction will begin on Haymaker Road, followed by Smithfield Road, town officials said. Work at the intersection of Green End Avenue and Valley Road also is expected to take place later this summer.

Winter 2011-2012

Middletown officials are aiming to complete the excavation and utility work that involves the replacement of sewer lines and storm drains by Dec. 15 this year before the winter shut-down.

Temporary road coverings will remain in place over the winter to give the ground time to settle before the permanent asphalt cover is completed in the spring of 2012.

Spring of 2012

Construction is expected to resume in April of 2012 before shutting down again in December of 2012. During that time, the most substantial segments of the project will be completed on Continental Drive, Winthrop Avenue and Longmeadow Avenue, with minor follow-up work and adjustments performed during the spring of 2013.

For more information

• Any residents or business owners who have concerns or questions related to the ongoing projects may contact the Middletown Department of Public Works during regular business hours at 401-846-2119.
• During evening, weekends and holidays, call the non-emergency phone number at the Middletown Police Department, at 401-846-1144.
• Look for updates and announcements throughout the project on the Town of Middletown website, www.middletownri.com. 
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