Department of Public Works | Infrastructure & Costs

The Franklin Dept of Public Works (DPW) is scheduled to present on their operations which cover a bunch of our infrastructure.

The presentation PDF can be previewed here

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/8133/Town-Council-Presentation---January-21-2026

or viewed here

Department of Public Works | Infrastructure & Costs

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 21 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01212026-2101

Town of Franklin, MA: announces chip seal for several streets for Sep 12

Town of Franklin, MA: announces chip seal for several streets for Sep 12

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) posted on Tue, Sep 09, 2025:

Shared from -> https://t.co/U2bOGZAp8B

Town of Franklin, MA: Road Work Announcement! Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Road Work Announcement! Tomorrow, August 5, 2025.

Town of Franklin, MA: Road Work Announcement! Tuesday,  August 5, 2025

Shared from ->  https://t.co/MVoaoTJhBy

“Chip Sealing” is happening in various subdivisions around Franklin

“Chip Sealing” is happening in
various subdivisions around Franklin

via the DPW: 

“Chip Sealing” is happening now in various subdivisions in Town. If you do not know, chip sealing is a very cost-effective pavement preservation process that will add years of life to a roadway surface.  

In the simplest explanation, it is the process of adding liquid asphalt emulsion then covering it with stone.  

It covers and seals all the cracks in the roadway surface so water cannot get in and create potholes. It also improves traction of the roadway surface.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/16Kr4apYG6/

I-90 Newton Bridge Replacement - Traffic Delays Expected

MassDOT is expecting heavy traffic along I-90 at I/95 

Friday, May 30, 2025, 9 PM to Monday, June 2, 2025, 5 AM and 

Friday, June 20, 2025, 9 PM to Monday, June 23, 2025, 5 AM

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

MassDOT will replace the I-90 bridge over the MBTA Worcester Commuter Rail in Newton, MA. Accelerated Bridge Construction methods will be used to replace the bridge over two weekends to minimize impacts to the public. 

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Exit 123 in Weston and Exit 125 in Newton.

I-90 Newton Bridge Replacement - Traffic Delays Expected

TRAVEL TIPS

Drivers should expect significant delays on I-90 during these weekends. If possible, drivers should plan ahead, avoid the area, and seek an alternate route. Real-time messaging boards will be along the interstates providing travel times through the area.

HOW CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?

For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:

•       Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
•       Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
•       Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
•       For questions email: I-90newton-weston@dot.state.ma.us

For more info on the project page -> https://www.mass.gov/newton-weston-bridge-replacement-and-rehabilitation-at-i-90i-95

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee Agenda for 2nd Budget hearing, Tue, Apr 29 (public works & public safety)

Finance Committee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 = 7 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building 3rd Floor, Training Room

Agenda

1.    Call to Order
 

2.    FY26 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing continued...
FY26 Town Administrator Budget Materials website   https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500

a.    Public Safety:

i.    210 Police Department
ii.    220 Fire Department
iii.    225 Regional Dispatch
iv.    240 Inspection Department
v.    292 Animal Control

b.    Department of Public Works (DPW):

i.    422 Public Works
ii.    Enterprise Funds: 434 Solid Waste, 440 Sewer, 450 Water, 460 Stormwater

3.    Adjourn

The full agenda doc (including remote participation info)  https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1699

 

Town Administrator Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget

Pleasant St near Country Way road closure on Thursday, Jan 2

Via the DPW:

road closure on Thursday, Jan 2 

Pleasant St near Country Way

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/15NZJx4SeA/

Town of Franklin, MA: FYI Pine Street Area Residents! - Road Closure, Dec 18

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) posted on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:

FYI Pine Street Area Residents! https://t.co/fWvEmcgSK9

Town of Franklin, MA: FYI Pine Street Area Residents! - Road Closure, Dec 18

FYI - Franklin Police announce road closures for Harvest Festival - Saturday, Sep 28

"***HARVEST FESTIVAL ROAD CLOSURE***

Tomorrow, Saturday the 28th Main Street will be completely closed from East Central Street to Emmons Street from approximately 10:15 AM to 6 PM.  

All side roads along this side of Main Street will also be closed."

FYI - Franklin Police announce road closures for Harvest Festival - Saturday, Sep 28

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/wj5KVgrjATyPJJ1m/

Invitation For Bid - Miscellaneous Asphalt Construction and Repair

IFB - Miscellaneous Asphalt Construction and Repair

In accordance with MGL c. 30 section 39m, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a construction firm for the purposes of constructing and repairing miscellaneous asphalt surfaces at various locations within the Town of Franklin.

Additional Information - Miscellaneous Asphalt Construction and Repair

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/ifb-miscellaneous-asphalt-construction-and-repair

Invitation For Bid - Miscellaneous Asphalt Construction and Repair

Road Closure Information for Franklin/Norfolk - Lawrence St for Sep 16 through 18

For additional information, including a road closure map, please view the images below

Road Closure Information

Lawrence St for Sep 16 through 18

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/road-closure-916-918-norfolk-and-franklin

Jordan Rd Closed for Road Work Tuesday July 9, Weather Permitting

Jordan Rd Closed for Road Work Tuesday July 9, Weather Permitting

Next Week! 

We will be milling Jordan Road from Rt 140 to Dutchess Rd.

Notifications for paving operations will be posted the following week.

Please plan accordingly.

Read more

Jordan Rd Closed for Road Work Tuesday July 9, Weather Permitting

Chip sealing in process

Via the DPW: 

"More preventive/improvement road surface work! This process is called “chip sealing”.  

Hot emulsion (liquid asphalt) is applied to the roadway surface and then aggregate stone is added and rolled in. Once the emulsion cools and hardens, it holds the stones in place.  

Excess stone is swept up during the process and the days after. This process is a very cost-effective way to extend the life expectancy of the roadway surface. It not only seals the roadway to prevent potholes, it also adds traction to the surface.  

This process can only be done during a certain time of the roadways life cycle, i.e. it cannot be done if the roadway has deteriorated too much.  

Many times we will crack seal or repair sub-surface problems before chip sealing."

See more photos of the chip sealing process -> ttps://www.facebook.com/share/4hfw3eGcuHSiPZZF/

The updated road conditions report was published here ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/10a._pavement_management_report.pdf

Note that the report shows the priority of the road conditions, it does not provide a timeline for repairs. That is budget dependent. The Town voted down a dedicated override to fund road repair in 2014. 

Chip sealing in process

When is my road going to get fix? Check out the road report

The road report is newly updated and while it doesn't specifically say when it will get repaired, it does provide the status and next step as to what the repair would be. 

The repair schedule if it requires a full rebuild is coordinated with water and sewer line work and generally announced in advance as it is a 2 year process. First year is the sewer/water line work, then the second year is the rebuild and repave.

Given we would need to have approximately $2M per year to cover the $40M total over say a 20 year period, and we have less than  $1M in the "road repair" budget, and that we also failed to pass a dedicated debt exclusion in 20214 to specifically provide $1.5M for roads every year, "when" is a question that can't be answered at this time. 

Stay tuned into the regular budget cycle to find out what the priorities are and when the Town Council will vote on such priorities.

Read the road report here ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/10a._pavement_management_report.pdf

When is my road going to get fix? Check out the road report

Town of Franklin: IFB - Infrared Pavement Repairs

IFB - Infrared Pavement Repairs

In accordance with MGL c. 30 section 39m, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a construction firm for the purposes of performing asphalt pavement repairs using the infrared pavement repair process at various locations within the Town of Franklin.

Additional Information:  IFB - Infrared Pavement Repairs

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/ifb-infrared-pavement-repairs

Town of Franklin: IFB - Infrared Pavement Repairs

Jordan Rd closed on June 5 weather permitting

From the DPW: Jordan Road paving work to continue on Wednesday, June 5 - weather permitting

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C7mj0kTp-7A/

 

Jordan Rd closed on June 5 weather permitting

Jordan Road closed 5/28 & 5/29 (weather permitting)

The DPW announced an update to the road work underway on Jordan Road between East Central Street and Jenna Lane. 

Weather permitting - Jordan Road will be closed to traffic (local only) expect delays and seek alternate routes on Tuesday, May 28 and Wednesday, May 29.

Jordan Road closed 5/28 & 5/29 (weather permitting)

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/5VrJYGyxZnwCQmvv/

MassDOT Travel alerts for the Memorial Day weekend 2024

#MemorialDay? Plan for the best time to go and use the #MassDOT Mass511 mobile app or mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

ℹ️ https://mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-transportation/news

 

MassDOT Travel alerts for the Memorial Day weekend 2024

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C7R8i8Jx868/

Road work underway on Jordan Road - week of May 23, 2024

Road work will be taking place on Jordan Road between East Central Street and Jenna Lane beginning May 23, weather permitting - expect delays and seek alternate routes.

Road work underway on Jordan Road - week of May 23, 2024

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/roadwork-update

Governor Healey Signs Chapter 90 Bill to Improve Bridges, Roads, and Infrastructure Across Massachusetts

"At an event in Melrose today (05/03/24), Gov. Maura Healey signed a transportation bond bill that includes $200 million for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program for fiscal 2025 and $175 million for specified additional infrastructure programs.  

In addition to funding for the Chapter 90 reimbursement program, the $375 million bond package includes $25 million for a supplemental road maintenance program favoring rural communities, and $150 million for the following six existing transportation-related programs:

• Municipal Pavement Program
• Municipal Small Bridge Program
• Complete Streets
• Municipal Bus Enhancement Program
• Mass Transit Access grant program
• Municipal/RTA Electric Vehicle Fleets program"

Shared from -> https://www.mma.org/gov-signs-375m-transportation-bond-bill/ 

Read the full press release from Gov Healey's office ->    https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-chapter-90-bill-to-improve-bridges-roads-and-infrastructure-across-massachusetts

Governor Healey Signs Chapter 90 Bill to Improve Bridges, Roads, and Infrastructure Across Massachusetts