ORANGE — Monday marked the first day that a portion of North Main Street will be routinely shut down for ongoing construction.

North Main Street between Prospect and Dexter streets is scheduled to be closed to through traffic between approximately 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, according to Police Chief James Sullivan, until at least June.

The Police Department’s Facebook page states work crews will need to occupy more and more of the roadway as the project advances, making the road impassable.

Drivers wanting to travel north on North Main Street will need to use Mechanic Street all the way to Clark Avenue, while those traveling south on North Main Street are asked to use either Lincoln Avenue or Logan Avenue. The portion of Winter Street between North Main and Mechanic streets will be closed at North Main Street, and only residents living on that portion will be permitted to pass.

“If you live on the portion of North Main Street that is affected by this detour, you will still be able to come and go from your homes but will need to access them from whichever end of the construction you live on,” a post on the Police Department’s Facebook page reads.

Anyone dropping off and picking up children from Dexter Park Innovation or Fisher Hill Elementary schools can use Dexter Street as normal for drop-off and, when leaving the schools, can use the new access road as normal. However, the post reads, all traffic will have to turn left and travel north on North Main Street when leaving. All traffic to East Main Street will then take Lincoln Avenue or Logan Avenue to Mechanic Street.

“We will also have a detail officer posted at East Main Street and Mechanic Street in an effort to help school busses, tractor trailer trucks, and backed up traffic both enter and exit Mechanic Street with minimal delays,” the Facebook post continues.

“We understand that this is an inconvenience and that it is going to add time onto your trip, but we ask that you please keep in mind that these roads are residential roads where children often walk alongside,” the Police Department’s post reads. “Please keep your speeds reasonable and safe as you would want for your own neighborhood.”

Selectboard Chair Tom Smith said crews are working hard despite some hiccups.

“Good work is progressing,” he said. “There’s been a slight delay because ... unanticipated amounts of ledge were found. Otherwise, the project is progressing. We do not have a finish date yet.”

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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