Chestnut Street Closed at Park Street (Route 62)

Chestnut Street at the Ipswich River culvert is now closed. Temporary signal lights have been installed at the intersection of Park Street and Central Streets, to assist with traffic control. The signal lights are fully operational. Signage advising motorists of the closure of Chestnut Street at the Ipswich River have been installed in the immediate area and on approaching roadways.  In addition to signage in the area, barricades were installed at the intersection of Chestnut and Park Street (Route 62) and immediately southeast of the culvert on Chestnut Street. 

Traffic will not be able to access Chestnut Street from Park Street (Route 62) or Park Street (Route 62) from Chestnut Street.  Chestnut Street from Central Street to the Ipswich River will be open to local traffic only, including vehicles seeking to access Maguire Field, Moynihan Lumber, and the Department of Public Works.

Motorists and pedestrians traveling through the area, including north/west to Route 62 (Park Street) from Haverhill Street, or south/east to Haverhill Street from Route 62 (Park Street), are advised to seek an alternate route and avoid the area altogether if possible.

Update as of July 1, 2023

Temporary traffic signal lights have been installed at the intersection of Park Street and Central Streets and are set to "flash" mode, with a flashing yellow signal facing Park Street and a flashing red signal facing Central Street.

Based on the recommendation of the Town's consulting engineers, the signal lights at Park and Central Streets will remain on "flash" mode through Wednesday, July 5th. The Department of Public Works anticipates fully activating the traffic signal lights at Park and Central Streets the morning of Thursday, July 6th, and closing Chestnut Street at the Ipswich River culvert, on the same day.  Motorists should anticipate that required programming and testing on Wednesday, July 5th will impact the flow of traffic in the area.  Additionally, signage advising motorists of the closure of Chestnut Street at the Ipswich River will be installed in the immediate area and on approaching roadways on Wednesday and Thursday, July 5th and 6th.

In addition to signage in the area, barricades will be installed at the intersection of Chestnut and Park Street (Route 62) and immediately southeast of the culvert on Chestnut Street upon the closure of the Ipswich River culvert. Traffic will not be able to access Chestnut Street from Park Street (Route 62) or Park Street (Route 62) from Chestnut Street.  Chestnut Street from Central Street to the Ipswich River will be open to local traffic only, including vehicles seeking to access Maguire Field, Moynihan Lumber, the Department of Public Works and Reading Municipal Light Department facilities, and house numbers 146-185. KidSpot at Maguire Field is under construction and is closed to the public. 

Traffic seeking to travel through the area, including north/west to Route 62 (Park Street) from Haverhill Street, or south/east to Haverhill Street from Route 62 (Park Street), are advised to seek an alternate route and avoid the area altogether if possible.

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PREVIOUS UPDATES:

June 20, 2023

During the week of June 26th, Chestnut Street will be closed at Park Street due to the failing condition of twin culverts carrying the Ipswich River under Chestnut Street.  Traffic will not be able to access Chestnut Street from Park Street or Park Street from Chestnut Street.  Chestnut Street from Central Street to the Ipswich River will be open to local traffic only, including vehicles seeking to access Maguire Field, Moynihan Lumber, the Department of Public Works and Reading Municipal Light Department facilities, and house numbers 146-185. KidSpot at Maguire Field is under construction and is closed to the public.

Traffic seeking to travel through the area, including north/west to Route 62 (Park Street) from Haverhill Street, or south/east to Haverhill Street from Route 62 (Park Street), are advised to seek an alternate route and avoid the area altogether if possible.  A temporary traffic light is being installed at the intersection of Park Street and Central Street to assist in managing an anticipated increase in traffic through this intersection upon the closure of Chestnut Street.  This temporary traffic light will become active upon the closure of Chestnut Street.

The Department of Public Works is working with consulting engineers to design a replacement bridge to carry Chestnut Street over the Ipswich River.  Funding to complete this design was approved at the June 12th Spring Annual Town Meeting, and Chestnut Street will be closed until a new bridge is constructed.

An annotated map of the area may be found here: https://www.northreadingma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3591/f/news/chestnut_...