By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(March 22, 2018) Construction on Baker Street in Berlin is expected to conclude this week.

The Town Council budgeted $120,000 for the project last April, but costs increased when additional drainage work was needed. The council approved a $139,364.57 contract with Goody Hill Goundwork Inc. last October.

Work began late last year, but was delayed several times because of weather.

The council, in May, also approved a truck ban on Baker Street in an attempt to preserve the historic oyster-shell strip in the center of the roadway.

Water Resources and Public Works Director Jane Kreiter said Monday the plan was to wrap the construction this week.

“We’re trying to get it done … I think they milled it on Friday and they’re trying to pave it today,” she said. “It’s all about beating these nor’easters that keep coming our way.”

Kreiter said new electric lines and water service was run under the road and a stormwater catch basin “had some work done to it.”

Human Resources Director Jeff Fleetwood said an epoxy was used to seal some of the cracks in the oyster shell portion of the road. Kreiter said that would be surrounded by new asphalt paving.

Elsewhere in Berlin, Kreiter said plans were moving forward for repairs on Gay Street. Town officials and Josh Taylor, a senior engineer with Davis, Bowen & Friedel Inc., met with residents and business owners last month to discuss new waterlines, sidewalks and an overlay on the road surface.

Kreiter said the project went out to bid and is on schedule to finish before the busy summer season starts.

“That’s our plan – that is absolutely the goal,” Kreiter said.

Gay Street is a well-traveled pathway to the downtown.