ERVING — A nearly $2.68 million project to repave Route 2 between the village of Farley and the easternmost end of East Prospect Street in Erving Center will start this winter, with final design work having been completed last month.

According to a project description reviewed by the Conservation Commission on Wednesday, work will consist of milling and resurfacing about 3.5 miles of road between mile markers 60.40 and 63.85. In addition, work will include adjusting and/or rebuilding the drainage structure at the bridge over Jacks Brook, constructing pedestrian curb ramps at side streets, reconstructing curbs and guardrails, and “other minor improvements to make the roadway safer.”

The state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) completed the plans, specifications and estimate development phase of the project on June 22, according to its Highway Project Information database. The nearly $2.68 million estimated contract cost is accounted for under the 2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG). Spending will primarily stem from federal funding.

Contracting work is scheduled to begin this winter, while the actual repaving work likely won’t begin until next spring, according to Laurie Scarbrough, senior transportation planning engineer at FRCOG. She predicted the project could be finished by fall 2024.

The Conservation Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to determine that work would not be “subject to the Wetlands Protection Act and its regulations.”

This project is part of a series of resurfacing projects on Route 2 that will continue through at least 2027. Between late 2022 and early 2023, MassDOT resurfaced Route 2 between the French King Bridge and the west end of Old State Road. Work also included the addition of bicycle lanes and sidewalks along Route 2 near Semb Drive and the Erving Post Office, plus a crosswalk with pedestrian flashing beacons and new line painting.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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