North Main Street Project

The Town of Orange has been undergoing engineering for the reconstruction of North Main Street from School Street to Lincoln Ave (0.4 Miles) including the relocation of Fall Hill Brook Culvert. The engineering for this project has been funded through residential tax dollars and Chapter 90 funds, over the course of several years. Construction funding has been allocated to the Town of Orange to complete the North Main Street Project by the Franklin Regional Council of Government's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). 

The Town of Orange voted the property takings on June 17, 2024 at our Special Town Meeting and the votes were recorded with the Registry of Deeds on June 27, 2024. Payments for the acquired property rights were tendered on July 8, 2024. In order for us to release compensation to an impacted property owner, they must file a W9 with our Treasurer. The North Main Street Reconstruction Project went out to bid in the summer of 2024. The duration of the project is expected to be five years and work is on track. 

In October 2024, the bid was reviewed and  officially awarded to Onyx Corporation. Onyx Corporation has set up a main office at the Rodney Hunt building. Currently, piping has been placed along North Main Street to be used in the culvert reconstruction. Road work has begun and detours are being placed to move traffic from North Main Street to Mechanic Street and Clark Street. There will be road closures from Winter Street to School Street. If you are traveling or live in these areas, please use caution, expect a higher traffic and delays.

Summer Update: Detours are in effect and will be until the project pauses for winter. Do not plan to drive through North Main Street from Monday-Friday between the hours of 7:00AM and 3:00PM. School buses will be detouring as well unless notified directly by the contractor. There is no on street parking on this section of road, in the coming weeks, vehicles in the way may be towed. Please plan accordingly. 

Onyx Corp is currently working on the retaining walls and drainage for North Main Street. Fire Hydrants are being moved in the next few weeks. National Grid will be moving poles starting some time in November. At this time, full depth reclamation of the road is not expected to begin until Spring of 2026. Direct culvert work is expected to begin during the summer of 2026. There are many moving parts to this project, which can mean delays could take place at any point. Please be aware of your travel through this area, and do not attempt to go around road blocks, park in no parking zones, or access drainage locations.