09/30/08

Improvements to Fort Williams Park entrance begins next week

Work will begin next week on improvements to the entrance to Fort Williams Park

The work is scheduled to begin Monday, Oct. 6, and will include new granite curbing, fencing replacement and stonewall repairs.

Labrecque Construction was recently awarded the bid and will be working with two sub-contractors, Burns Fencing and Gnome Landscaping.

The main entrance has looked dilapidated for quite some time, said Public Works Director Robert Malley. Vehicles have struck the main entrance gate on several occasions, and the stonewall on the north side of the entrance has been hidden by a sidewalk installed back in the 1980s.

The work will also address some drainage issues at the entrance, which have created an icing situation during the winter months.

     The schedule of work involves:

1. Replacing the stonewall on the northerly side of the entrance to a point where the height of the existing wall is approximately 18 inches.
2. Installing two masonry pillars on either side of the entrance gates to resemble the original military entrance features.
3. Replacement of the main gates with an aluminum industrial material that is more aesthetically pleasing.
4. Replacement of the adjacent fencing on either side of the gate approximately 200 feet in either direction.
5. Installation of granite curbing to both define the entrance and convey stormwater to existing drainage structures.
6. Repaving the entrance area to alleviate standing water on the southerly side of the entrance.
7. Installing a new gate on the northerly side of the entrance to facilitate pedestrian access to the park.

Funds to complete the project were appropriated from the Portland Head Light Special Funds Budget.