UPDATED: MWRA to Begin Construction of Water Storage Tank in Stoneham June 4

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is expected to begin construction of a 20-million-gallon water storage tank behind the site of the former Boston Regional Medical Center on Woodland Road in Stoneham June 4, according to the MWRA.

"(The MWRA) will be working on that tank until the completion date, anticipating compeltion of the tank sometime in the fall of 2014," Ragucci said during Tuesday night's Selectmen's session at . The MWRA has said they expect to complete the project in late 2014, according to a press statement.

Addressing Safety

have met with several agencies about the traffic in and around the construction site, including State Police, Department of Conservation and Recreation, MWRA and the Department of Transportation's Highway Divisions, according to Ragucci.

"There's going to be a lot of truck traffic coming in and out of that property for quite some time in removing the dirt, and then bringing cement trucks back in to fill the container," Ragucci said. "The truck route is going to travel through Stoneham down to the (Middlesex) Fells, North Road, South Border Road to get up on (Route) 93, and then they would be coming back that same way."

Selectman John DePinto said he wants to make sure the area stay safe while construction vehicles are working in town.

"I would like our police department, if we have the resources, to make sure those roads remain safe," DePinto said. "No overweight trucks, no speeding. Those trucks, when they're loaded, they go (fast) and that's a busy roadway...and you don't want to get in an accident with one of those trucks, especially when the cement starts coming in."

What's Being Built

The MWRA is constructing a 20-million-gallon water storage tank and pump station behind the site of the former Boston Regional Medical Center on Woodland Road in Stoneham, reads th statement.

"The new water storage tank is required to meet state and federal drinking water regulations and MWRA’s goal of providing at least a one-day emergency supply of stored water," reads the statement.

The underground, concrete tank will provide water storage for MWRA’s Low Service area, which includes Charlestown, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford and Somerville, according to the statement. The pump station will provide system redundancy for 21 communities currently served by the Gillis Pump Station, including Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester and Woburn, the statement adds.

"When the project is completed in late fall 2014, the design calls for upland meadows to be planted on top of the buried tank, which would provide additional open space and public access adjacent to the Fells Reservation," reads the statement.

Who is Doing the Construction?

MWRA’s contractor, Walsh Construction Company, is currently completing site preparation before beginning construction, according to the press statement.

When is Excavation Happening?

The project is expected to required "considerable excavation" for six to eight months during the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the statement.

"Once the excavation is complete, truck traffic will decline, but appropriate public safety measures will remain in place," reads the statement. "MWRA and Walsh Construction have been working closely with the Massachusetts State Police and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to develop an efficient and reliable traffic management plan to ensure the safety of the drivers and pedestrians using the adjacent roads and streets.

"A designated truck route has been established, and message boards and signage will be placed along Woodland Road to guide travelers." 

Throughout the construction period, access in and out of the Woodland Road Medical Building will be limited to the south driveway, reads the statement. The north entrance will only be accessible to construction vehicles, according to the statement, and signage will be put up at the entrances.

The MWRA will provide regular updates on its website, according to the statement.