In anticipation of the beginning the next phase of the Main Street improvement project this spring, the Town of Chester is seeking a consulting engineering firm to provide construction inspection and administration services for this phase of the project.

Funded under the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program, the project, which is expected to have a price tag in the range of $2- to $2.5 million, primarily consists of a streetscape of approximately 700 feet of Main Street, between the Laurel Hill Cemetery and Route 148, and short tie-in sections of Maple Street and Spring Street.

The project includes granite curbing, new catch basins and sidewalks, cast-iron-post LED lighting, removable bollards, stair grades in some areas, asphalt parking places, new landscaping including plantings of both trees and low-maintenance flowers, powder-coated trash receptacles and bike racks, improvements to the flagpole circle, two new crosswalks, benches, the relocation of a fire hydrant on Maple Street, road grade changes, and signage to direct visitors to public parking lots available on Maple Street and Water Street.

The town is looking for a consulting engineering firm to provide materials and testing and prepare reports. The firm chosen for the job will be evaluated and selected based on the technical competence, the capacity and capability to perform the work within the time allotted, past record of performance, and knowledge of state and municipal procedures weighted in descending order of importance. The fee will be negotiated on a cost basis and the selected firm must meet all applicable municipal and state affirmation action and equal employment opportunity practices. Deadline for all applications is Friday, Dec. 20.

The town formed a Main Street Committee to oversee the project. According to Selectman and Main Street Committee member Charlene Janecek, the town is hoping for a mild winter so construction on the project can begin, as planned, on March 15.

“If the weather cooperates, everything is all set to be on schedule,” said Janecek.