October 9, 2008

RAMPING UP—The repaving of Centre and South streets resumes this month after contractors Fred Deroma and Sons rebuilt some of the curb ramps they installed this summer. This handicapped ramp on the corner of Greenough Avenue and Centre Street was one of at least two that had to be rebuilt after a city Public Works Department (PWD) review of the work. In July, the Boston-based Disability Policy Consortium filed 14 complaints with the state Architectural Access Board regarding the ramps. Some of the problem areas were also dealt with by re-grading parts of Centre and South streets. PWD spokesperson Tim McCarthy did not respond to Gazette requests for more information about the city inspection by press time. Michael Epp, head of the JP Centre/South Main Streets Design Committee, said he still has some concerns about the ramps. Some of the ramps look “too low, like they might pond,” he said. Drainage issues could cause serious problems in the winter when puddles at the bottoms of the ramps freeze, he said. The street repaving work between South and St. John streets, which had been on hold until the sidewalk work was finished, will be finished this weekend, weather permitting. The work is scheduled for Friday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.