Fitchburg MA Senior Center

06/05/2026

Join us Monday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. to learn about all Habitat for Humanity has to offer!

06/03/2026

Update: Water St. bridge closed til at least next Monday.

🚧 Downtown Roadwork and Construction Update June 3, 2026🚧

ETA: MIG informed us that the bridge will not be ready to reopen until MONDAY June 8th. They are finishing up backfill and paving this week, Saturday they will have a crew in to install the inverts in the sewer manholes, and Monday first thing they plan to begin removing barricades to reopen the bridge.

DPW had our contractor PRT in to re-wire the traffic signal back to its original configuration so that it will function properly when taken out of FLASH mode.

🚧 These updates include the Water Street Bridge Project, the Main Street Water Main Improvements Project, the CSO sewer separation project, and work connected to the Fitchburg Public Library project.

🚧Water Street Bridge Project
MassDOT and MIG informed us that they are anticipating reopening the Water Street Bridge to traffic on Monday, June 8, 2026.

Before the bridge reopens, the City plans to have our traffic signal contractor on site to rewire the signal at Water Street and Laurel Street so it can come out of flash mode and operate correctly once traffic is restored.

Also beginning Monday, June 8, MIG is expected to shift work back to Boulder Drive under the bridge. That will require a 24/7 closure of Boulder Drive in that area. We do not yet have an estimated reopening date for that portion of the work.

🚧Main Street Water Main Improvements Project
The City’s contractor, JA Polito & Sons, Inc., will continue work in the Main Street area between Mill Street and the Lunenburg/Summer Street intersection.

For the week of June 1, crews will be working on water main installation at the intersections of:
💧 Main Street and Blossom Street
💧 Main Street and Cushing Street
💧 Main Street and Day Street

On Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2, Polito will be closing access to Blossom Street at Main Street.
➡Inbound traffic on Blossom Street will be detoured to Green Street, then to North Street, to return to Main Street.
➡Traffic coming from Crescent Street will be detoured outbound on Blossom Street to Green Street.
➡Main Street will remain open in both directions during this work.

On Wednesday, June 3, Main Street will be closed from Blossom Street to Putnam Street.
➡Traffic will be redirected to Boulder Drive in both directions for that day. This is being coordinated before MIG’s Boulder Drive closure begins on Thursday.
➡Day Street work may also include a road shutdown and detours for Day Street.

Please note that service interruptions to abutting properties are anticipated during the week of June 1. Any required service interruptions will be coordinated in advance by on-site Weston & Sampson and JA Polito staff with individual property owners and tenants.

🚽Sewer Separation Project
GVC will continue work as part of the CSO 032, 045, and 083 Separation/Rehabilitation Project.
➡Work is expected to continue in the Upper Common area, including Mechanic Street, Circle Street/Main Street/Prospect Street, and Marshall Street. Local traffic will be directed by Fitchburg Police details on site, and parking near active construction zones will not be allowed.

📚Library Project
➡ On Wednesday, June 3, DA Sullivan will close Newton Place to through traffic for work related to the library project.

We know this is a lot of work happening at once, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as these projects move forward. These infrastructure projects are disruptive while they are happening, but they are necessary investments in our roads, bridges, water, sewer, public safety, downtown, and future growth.

Please plan ahead, follow posted detours, watch for police details and work crews, and give yourself extra time traveling through the downtown area. 🚧

06/01/2026

🚧 Downtown Roadwork and Construction Update June 3, 2026🚧

ETA: MIG informed us that the bridge will not be ready to reopen until MONDAY June 8th. They are finishing up backfill and paving this week, Saturday they will have a crew in to install the inverts in the sewer manholes, and Monday first thing they plan to begin removing barricades to reopen the bridge.

DPW had our contractor PRT in to re-wire the traffic signal back to its original configuration so that it will function properly when taken out of FLASH mode.

🚧 These updates include the Water Street Bridge Project, the Main Street Water Main Improvements Project, the CSO sewer separation project, and work connected to the Fitchburg Public Library project.

🚧Water Street Bridge Project
MassDOT and MIG informed us that they are anticipating reopening the Water Street Bridge to traffic on Monday, June 8, 2026.

Before the bridge reopens, the City plans to have our traffic signal contractor on site to rewire the signal at Water Street and Laurel Street so it can come out of flash mode and operate correctly once traffic is restored.

Also beginning Monday, June 8, MIG is expected to shift work back to Boulder Drive under the bridge. That will require a 24/7 closure of Boulder Drive in that area. We do not yet have an estimated reopening date for that portion of the work.

🚧Main Street Water Main Improvements Project
The City’s contractor, JA Polito & Sons, Inc., will continue work in the Main Street area between Mill Street and the Lunenburg/Summer Street intersection.

For the week of June 1, crews will be working on water main installation at the intersections of:
💧 Main Street and Blossom Street
💧 Main Street and Cushing Street
💧 Main Street and Day Street

On Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2, Polito will be closing access to Blossom Street at Main Street.
➡Inbound traffic on Blossom Street will be detoured to Green Street, then to North Street, to return to Main Street.
➡Traffic coming from Crescent Street will be detoured outbound on Blossom Street to Green Street.
➡Main Street will remain open in both directions during this work.

On Wednesday, June 3, Main Street will be closed from Blossom Street to Putnam Street.
➡Traffic will be redirected to Boulder Drive in both directions for that day. This is being coordinated before MIG’s Boulder Drive closure begins on Thursday.
➡Day Street work may also include a road shutdown and detours for Day Street.

Please note that service interruptions to abutting properties are anticipated during the week of June 1. Any required service interruptions will be coordinated in advance by on-site Weston & Sampson and JA Polito staff with individual property owners and tenants.

🚽Sewer Separation Project
GVC will continue work as part of the CSO 032, 045, and 083 Separation/Rehabilitation Project.
➡Work is expected to continue in the Upper Common area, including Mechanic Street, Circle Street/Main Street/Prospect Street, and Marshall Street. Local traffic will be directed by Fitchburg Police details on site, and parking near active construction zones will not be allowed.

📚Library Project
➡ On Wednesday, June 3, DA Sullivan will close Newton Place to through traffic for work related to the library project.

We know this is a lot of work happening at once, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as these projects move forward. These infrastructure projects are disruptive while they are happening, but they are necessary investments in our roads, bridges, water, sewer, public safety, downtown, and future growth.

Please plan ahead, follow posted detours, watch for police details and work crews, and give yourself extra time traveling through the downtown area. 🚧

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

Please fill out this survey regarding downtown parking. The survey can also be filled out at the senior center on our computers in the Resource Room.

YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT! The City of Fitchburg together with its consultant Stantec are reviewing the parking supply in Downtown Fitchburg to determine appropriate parking levels and management techniques that will address anticipated parking demand from new downtown development. (The study is grant-funded by the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative through the MA Executive Office of Economic Development.) Below is the link to this survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOHtaM0op-zTAwtiTYZ6-vrMyMljv1Vhh_cz_lPX7z3ft7PA/viewform

05/21/2026

If you're interested in how Mediation works, attend this information session on Friday, May 29th at 10:30 a.m. at the Fitchburg Senior Center.

05/19/2026

🚧 Traffic Advisory: Water Street Bridge Temporary Full Closure 🚧

MIG has informed us that they are ahead of schedule with the sewer work at Water Street and Main Street, and the project is ready to move into its next phase.

Beginning midday Tuesday, May 19, the Water Street Bridge will be fully closed to traffic in both directions.

Both northbound and southbound travel over the bridge will be impassable during this phase. Traffic will be detoured to use alternate routes, including:

➡️ Putnam Street
➡️ Cetrino Memorial Drive / Bridge area for access to Downtown from Water Street

DPW has adjusted the light sequence at Laurel Street and Putnam Street to help reduce congestion from the Water Street area. We are also recommending that the signal at the Main Street / Water Street / Day Street area be placed in flash mode, with a detail officer assisting with turns at Day Street.

At this time, the full bridge closure is expected to last approximately one month. Once the median on the bridge is removed, the project team expects to reopen access on the bridge and incorporate one lane of travel in each direction while work continues.

👨‍🦼👨‍🦯🚶‍♂️Please note: Pedestrian access will be maintained on the WEST side of the bridge during this vehicular closure.

Please also be aware that several nearby construction projects are still active:

🚧 GVC will continue sewer separation work in the Upper Common area
🚧 Polito will continue water project work near Main Street and Snow Street
🚧 On Tuesday, May 19 only, Boulder Drive will be closed near Newton Place for library project manhole work and paving

We know this is a lot of construction in one area, and we understand the inconvenience. This is a peak and crucial point in the Main Street and Water Street work, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Please follow posted detours, allow extra travel time, and use caution around workers, police details, cones, barrels, and changing traffic patterns.

Thank you for your patience as this important infrastructure work continues.

05/19/2026

Our June Newsletter is now available online! If you want to be the first to see what's going on at the Fitchburg Senior Center, follow the link to subscribe. https://mycommunityonline.com/organization/fitchburg-council-on-aging

05/18/2026

RSVP to the Worcester County Sheriff's Office by this Wednesday (May 20) if you plan to go to the Annual Senior Picnic!

The 2026 Worcester County Sheriff's Office Annual Senior Picnic is coming! Please call or email to RSVP: (508) 796-2638 [email protected]

05/08/2026

🚧 Traffic Alert: Water Street Bridge Area Temporary Closure 🚧
Beginning Monday, May 11, through approximately Monday, May 25, travelers should expect traffic changes near the Water Street Bridge, Main Street, Boulder Drive, and Laurel Street area as bridge-related work continues.

During this Temporary phase, the Water Street Bridge is expected to be closed to northbound traffic. One southbound lane should remain open for vehicles traveling from Main Street onto Water Street.

🚧 If you are traveling northbound on Water Street toward Main Street, you should plan to take 5th St Bridge or Putnam St Bridge to access Main St.

🚧 Southbound traffic from Main Street onto Water Street should continue through one open lane, but drivers should expect a narrowed travel area, lane shifts, cones, barrels, signage, and possible delays.

🚧 Boulder Drive will also be impacted. During this phase, Boulder Drive is expected to be temporarily reduced to one lane moving EASTBOUND only near the bridge work area. Please do not assume normal two-way traffic on Boulder Drive during this work.

Suggested alternate routes for northbound traffic include:
➡️ 5th Street Bridge to Summer Street
➡️ Putnam Street Bridge to Boulder Drive

Drivers should follow posted detour signs in the area, since traffic controls may shift as the work zone changes. Police details and construction signage will be used to help direct traffic and keep the area moving safely.

Please also note that water line work will be happening at the same time. For the week of May 11, JA Polito is scheduled to continue water main installation on Main Street between Day Street and North Street. Service interruptions to abutting properties are not anticipated during that week.

We know this is a busy corridor, and we understand these traffic changes will be inconvenient for residents, businesses, commuters, and visitors. Please allow extra travel time, use caution around workers, and plan ahead when traveling through this area. Thank you for your patience and support while we fix our roads and bridges. 🌉

Please reach out to my office at [email protected] or DPW Engineering for any specific questions or concerns that we can help address.