Here is what you need to know concerning road work, construction, paving, taking place in the coming weeks on Davol Street, Route 79

Here is what you need to know concerning road work, construction, and paving taking place in the coming weeks on Davol Street, Route 79, according to Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

MassDOT is scheduled to begin temporary paving on Davol Street near Veterans’ Memorial Bridge from January 17 to February 10, weather permitting. Construction work hours will be Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. This work includes minor pavement widening and off-road construction to enable the permanent closure of the Route 79 expressway (from Turner Street to Brightman Street) for a future construction stage. Also, at the northern project limit, near Old Brightman Street Bridge, construction of temporary pavement is planned in preparation for a ramp shift in the next stage of the project.

MassDOT requests that residents on the northern section of Davol Street who require access to their vehicles at all times park their vehicle(s) away from Davol Street. Signs will be posted 48 hours in advance.

At the southern project limit near Battleship Cove, workers will widen the Route 79 northbound off-ramp to Davol Street to accommodate two through lanes in the next stage of the project. Likewise, the Route 79 southbound on-ramp from Davol Street will accommodate two through lanes on Davol Street in the next stage as well.

Construction of new entrances and exits to the U-turn at Cory Street under Route 79 is also planned. This work will include milling and paving, and realignment of the existing U-turn to accommodate the addition of the northbound to southbound movement in the next construction phase.

Please note the schedule for these major infrastructure projects is dependent on weather and COVID-19 guidelines and subject to change without notice.

During this preliminary construction phase, Davol Street will remain open to vehicular traffic. All parking lots and driveways will remain accessible. MassDOT asks the public to pay attention to all signage as it is posted.

MassDOT is redesigning this mile long corridor to improve mobility, connectivity, and safety along and across Route 79 and Davol Street. The corridor will be transformed into a multi-modal urban boulevard, connecting the neighborhoods to the Taunton River while promoting economic growth by creating new development parcels to contribute to economic development.