September 11, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
Construction of the new public safety facility on Rte. 3A “is proceeding quite well; the quality is very good,” according to Public Safety Facility Building Committee Chair Bob Garrity.
“We have alot of eyes on the project as we move toward the targeted substantial completion date of April 15, 2025,” he told the select board this week — with a final expected completion date of May 30. Construction began at 335 Lincoln St. in June 2023.
Beyond the building committee, the Hingham fire and police departments, highway department, town engineer, building department, the town’s purchasing agent, and others are involved with the project.
“The town administrator’s office did a terrific job of pulling all the different parties together,” Garrity said.
Substantial progress
There’s been substantial progress on the main building in the last few months, and the walkway bridge from the garage to the main building is nearly complete. The roof was built to accommodate possible solar panels in the future.
“The brick facade is currently being installed, and the garage is under construction,” Garrity said.
The committee is hopeful that the town will be awarded a $1.7 million federal Community Project Funding grant to put toward the project, which Garrity said would go a long way in offsetting unanticipated expenses incurred due to high bids, soil remediation, and ledge work.
Congressman Stephen Lynch, who recently toured the site, is supportive of Hingham receiving the grant — which the town applied for last May.
Public tours may be offered
The select board recently toured the building, with William Ramsey noting that tours for the public may be offered at a future time “so they can see what a beautiful building it is.”
The board approved an agreement with I.W. Harding Construction Company, Inc. at their Tuesday meeting to install a traffic signal in front of the public safety facility on Rte. 3A using $538,000 from the town’s Chapter 90 funds to in part accommodate emergency vehicles exiting the site safely. Chapter 90 money provides communities with a funding source for transportation-related improvements, including road and bridge work.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will coordinate with the Hingham Police Department to minimize interruptions to residents and other motorists while the work is being done — with signage to be posted on Rte. 3A and town website notifications in advance of the work.