By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

The City of Somerville, its residents and its business owners have been living with the necessary disruptions of the Somerville Avenue project for the past fourteen months, and a major payoff is on the way.  Much has been accomplished, and the project remains on schedule for completion, but much work remains to be done.

Since the state gave its authorization for the project to proceed in May of 2007, we’ve seen plenty of progress. Sewer and water infrastructure that dated back to the beginning of the last century has been completely replaced. Gas mains have been comprehensively upgraded to improve both capacity and safety. All of these changes have given us a necessary foundation for future economic growth along the entire length of one of our city’s most important arterial roads. Now that the heavy work under the roadway is nearing its conclusion, the contractor will be able to begin to address the more visible aspects of the Somerville Avenue streetscape, and to create a boulevard that will provide an attractive portal to our city for many years to come.

The next major phase of construction will begin in the next few weeks, as sidewalk replacement work gets under way on the Porter Square end of Somerville Avenue. Like all of the work done along Somerville Avenue, this phase will require a complex dance of temporary detours and access ramps – although this time for people instead of cars. It will also – literally – pave the way for the additional of new trees, street lamps, benches, and trash barrels that will greatly enhance the appearance and usability of the Avenue.

The contractor will be working very closely with the city and with area businesses to ensure maximum access and minimum disruption. Our goal is make sure that public access to local businesses is as open and easy as possible during this period, and that we can maintain business as usual along the entire project route.

And that brings me to my main point: one subtle but important change that drivers may have noticed in recent weeks is several signs that read ‚ÄúBusinesses Open during Construction.‚Äù  We’ll be putting up more of these signs over the next few months (and we’re also looking into possibility of developing some overhead banners with a similar message). With the end of summer vacations and an increase in traffic, local businesses are teaming with the City to remind visitors and residents that, despite the continuing construction activity, businesses in Union Square and along the entire Somerville Avenue corridor remain accessible.  I hope everyone in Somerville will join me in supporting our Somerville Avenue merchants throughout roadway reconstruction and beyond.

Just as the new infrastructure provided by this project will serve as the basis for future growth and prosperity along the Somerville Avenue corridor, so also will today’s businesses provide the basis for new jobs and business opportunities as our city takes advantage of its excellent location, diverse consumer base and increasing transportation access to become one of the most attractive business addresses in the metro Boston region.

Somerville Avenue in general – and especially the Union Square area – will benefit from the convergence of several major initiatives, including not only the roadway reconstruction project, but also the coming the Green Line Extension, the development of a comprehensive rezoning plan, and the emergence of Union Square as an arts-oriented destination that supports a wide range of retail, residential and restaurant activity.

As these various elements come together to strengthen our local economy, we will all reap the benefits in the form of an expanded tax base, more jobs and grater economic opportunity. In the meantime, we all need to work together to support the merchants in the Somerville Avenue corridor, and to keep our city running smoothly even as we continue to plan and rebuild for a more prosperous future.