Charlestown Rt 12 Update … October 29, 2021

Dear Elected Officials for Charlestown, Walpole and Claremont:

As stated in Monday’s update, last week the Department addressed and responded to the Railroad’s comments.  The Department met with the Railroad on Monday (10/25) and resubmitted construction documents.  The modifications to the construction documents included more enhanced automated monitoring systems for the railroad tracks and soil nail wall construction, as well as soil nail wall details. The contractor will be required to install instruments to monitor any settlement in the embankment caused by excavation, as well as any deformation to the tracks. These systems will be automated and provide real-time alerts if there are any issues developing.

The Department met with the Railroad again yesterday, Thursday 10/27, to review some comments.  The Railroad continues to review the Department’s response to comments.  Although dealing with comments does not seem fast paced, the meetings and work with the Railroad have been productive.  The Department, the Railroad, and the Railroad consultant are all mindful of the need for the construction work to get underway and there is an ongoing cooperative effort. To illustrate the level of cooperation, the typical turnaround to receive comments for a normal project is 30-45 days for each submission; we’ve had 2-week turnarounds on the submissions for this project.

On a very positive note, we received the executed Agreement from the Railroad yesterday.  This Agreement is the last step necessary for the Department to seek Federal Highway (FHWA) approval of the project.  

My Best,

Kathy

Kathleen Mulcahey-Hampson

Legislative Liaison