Main Street Improvements [VIDEO]

A long-awaited state project to repave portions of Main Street, improve handicap accessibility on sidewalks, and replace and synchronize intersection lights is expected to begin this fall.

Milford Selectmen approved an "order of taking" Monday for property easements along the project path. Twenty-two property owners, almost half of those affected, donated the value of their easements to the town, reported Town Engineer Mike Santora. This saved Milford taxpayers $30,364.

The project will improve seven intersections along Main Street, also known as Route 16. Except for the expense of the easement takings, the project is being financed with state and federal dollars, Santora said.

The cost of acquiring the easements was $66,153.

The project will run from the intersection of Main at Water streets, through the downtown area, and continuing along East Main Street to a point beyond the

The project will then pick up again at the intersection of Cedar and East Main streets. The intersection of East Main Street and Medway Road also will be improved, Santora said.

In addition to the road repaving, the project will improve handicap accessibility for the existing sidewalks, replace the lighting structures and boxes for the intersections, and move the poles further away from the road.

Traffic is not expected to be detoured or re-routed during the project, which could begin in September or October.

The advertisement for bids is expected to begin later this month.

The following property owners donated their easements to the town, according to Santora:

Jose and Suzette Ferreira (Seaside Building); Brian and Arlene Murray (Murray Building); Joseph Mulvey (U.S. Postal Service); Peter Mazzini and Kristin Carvalho (Milford National Bank and Trust); Bob Bodio and Cynthia Casey (Milford Federal Savings and Loan); Frank Niro and Joe Buscone (230 Main Street); Ronald Pagnini Jr. (Downtown Realty); the Rev. Hector Quinones (Iglesia El Calvario); Dominick and Tina Afonso (Afonso-Gillon Court); Alex and Maria Voyiatzis (Pizza Chef); Vincent Faraci (Cinosam Associates); Thomas and Clarence Morin (Opera Realty Trust); Gene Sardinha (V. Sardinha Realty Trust); Robert Clark and Joseph Candella (Thom Building); John Fernandes and Ernie Pettinari (Milford Pond Realty Trust); Pat Kennelly and David Pyne (Canyons LLC); James, Anne and Angela Cossette (1 East Main); Michael and Roseanna Elliot (Northeast Stamp and Engraving); Father Scioli, Monsignor Sullivan and Bishop McManus (Sacred Heart Church); Bruce Taylor (E.S.T. Realty Trust); Joseph Nigro (JDL Realty Trust); and Oscar Kamishlian (KAM Realty Trust).