The reconstructed Cranberry Highway in East Wareham will include a cement median strip, bike lanes, sidewalks, and "loons" at all traffic lights to facilitate U-turns, the project's manager told those present at Saturday's Wareham Works Economic Summit at Town Hall.

Project manager Joe Magni described design work for the $15 million project as being 25% complete, noting that now is the time for citizens and businesses to provide their input.

Widening and reconstruction of the 2.2 miles of Routes 6 & 28 -- from the point where the two highways join just west of the Stop & Shop plaza to the Bourne line -- has been discussed for more than two decades.

Magni said the state "committed" to the project when Route 25 was completed back in the late '80s, bypassing the stretch of Wareham highway that had previously been the most direct road to Cape Cod from points west.

The state will pick up 20% of the project's cost and the federal government 80%.
On Saturday, Magni described the current project timeline as:

-- A series of planning "charettes" with local officials and citizens to receive input on the design of the project and construction logistics.

-- 100% completion of design in March of 2012 and subsequent public hearings.

-- Two years of construction from December 2012 to November 2014.

Acknowledging the need to provide continuous, "24/7" access to local businesses during the duration of the project, Magni said that would be provided. Both he and Wareham Town Administrator Mark Andrews spoke of ongoing discussions of limiting summer construction to "off-peak and evening" hours.

Along the entire stretch of the project, the highway will be widened from the current 56 feet to 70 feet -- making way for the median strip, bike lanes in both directions, sidewalks on both sides of the road, and utility pole relocation to the non-road side of the sidewalks.

Magni focused much of his presentation on the new traffic signal arrangements planned for the four existing traffic lights and a new one to be installed at the Red Brook Road intersection.

Because the installation of a median strip will prohibit motorists from making left turns across traffic except at the intersections with signals, those intersections are being designed to make the necessary U-turns easier. Loops, called "loons" (click on graphic in the left sidebar) will be provided specifically for U-turns.

Other road design information provided by Magni:

-- The triangular space created as Routes 6 and 28 merge at the western end of the project will be made into green space, perhaps with a sign welcoming people to the commercial area.

-- Although not part of this project, the Bill Dalton Bridge at the Bourne line is slated for reconstruction even before the larger project begins. Bridge work may begin as early as next fall.

In addition to Magni's presenation, those who attended the second annual Wareham Works program heard remarks from state Sen. Marc Pacheco, a presenation from former Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan about development efforts in that city, and other speakers. Throughout the four-hour program, attendees were encouraged to visit the many booths set up throughout the Town Hall auditorium by local organizations and businesses.

The program was organized by the town's Community Economic and Development Authority in conjunction with Andrews' office. Andrews said that one benefit of the event was to showcase the beautiful Town Hall auditorium as a potential location for other public events.